Curious to know what you guys think/like about Pink Floyd's early work

Yeah, I own all of the early pre-DSOTM albums, and I try.  But they just don't interest me either.

Their first release was "Arnold Layne" (45rpm single) and it reached #20 on British charts. Bside was "Candy & a Current Bun". I have a copy of Aussie release and the B side is "See Emily Play". The songs were written by Syd Barrett. "Arnold Layne" was a song about a cross dresser stealing women's underwear from clotheslines at night (Go figure)

I think most people would agree that early Floyd was pseudo-experimental and the band finding their sound in the music of the day. I listen to the early albums more out of respect and to learn about their developing sound that culminated with the massive albums of the 70's. Surprised this chat did not spur more excitement about one of the truly great bands of all time. Their Big 4 are legendary and IMHO The Wall is one of the best 5 albums in rock history--just fabulous music from start to finish, After the Final Cut their music seemed less inspired but love Waters & Gilmour's solo albums.

There probably would have been more interest or excitement in the music forum. Anyway, to me The Pink Floyd ('the' was dropped after Syd left) is a totally different band than Pink Floyd without Sid. The Piper album was all Barrett's song writing in a style that fit the psychedelic mood of the time, but was a very personal mixture of experimentalism and playfulness. It was recorded in Abbey Road at about the same time as Sgt. Pepper and there are stories about the Beatles 'taking note' of what was going on 'in the other room'. Probably folklore, but Piper was hugely influencial when it came out. And of course Arnold Layne and See Emily Play had already been released. Barrett was probably not more of a drug addict then any other of his peers, but he did become the most famous LSD casualty in rock history. His solo albums are harrowing documents of his mental breakdown.

Pink Floyd never recovered and after some artistically uneven records they reinvented themselves as the heavy handed prog outfit they eventually became. But Syd's spirit hung around until Wish You Were Here, which was nothing less than a tribute to their 'lost' friend and collegue. After that it was Roger Waters who called all the shots and we know what he's like......

Yes Pink Floyd’s early work is less accessible, with all the comments about Sid’’s style accurate.  But there is some great stuff.  Gems like Arnold Layne, see Emily Play,  Cymbaline  and Careful with that Axe Eugene are great examples of their early work.

Then the album Atom Heart Mother is amazing start to finish, with the first side one long concept, and excellent singles on side 2.  Meddle is a classic, also with one long concept song and great individual songs on side 1.  Who can resist Semus, the dog outside the kitchen?

Obviously their later albums are more polished and commercially accessible.  I listen to very little after  The Wall.  Animals is another album that does not get much love, but is fantastic.

if you don’t get it, you don’t get it.  Anyone want to bash Yes’ first two albums?