Recorded at EMI Studios, London, England.

A transitional album on which the band moved from Syd Barrett's relatively concise and vivid songs to spacy, ethereal material with lengthy instrumental passages. Barrett's influence is still felt (he actually did manage to contribute one track, the jovial "Jugband Blues"), and much of the material retains a gentle, fairy-tale ambience. "Remember a Day" and "See Saw" are highlights; on "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," "Let There Be More Light," and the lengthy instrumental title track, the band begin to map out the dark and repetitive pulses that would characterize their next few records. ~ Richie Unterberger

Pink Floyd's second album is a hesitant transition from the baroque acid whimsy of PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN into the futuristic space rock the group would refine through DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. Recorded as Syd Barrett was messily leaving the band (Barrett contributes one track, the cacophonous "Jugband Blues," though rumors persist that he plays on at least a couple of others), the album finds the remaining members, including new guitarist Dave Gilmour, exploring their new roles in public.

Keyboardist Richard Wright contributes two lovely, pastoral tracks, "Remember a Day" and "See Saw," that echo Barrett's familiar childlike whimsy, while bassist Roger Waters's contributions, along with the band-composed 12-minute title track, map out the pulsating throb and lengthy instrumental sections that would soon become Floyd's sonic trademark. Another key track is the satiric "Corporal Clegg," Waters' first exploration of antiwar themes.