PictureSyd Barrett
Syd Barrett's solo recordings were definitely a stripped down, “warts-and-all” production. They were the endearing, slightly out of tune, and fragile sounds of an artist genuinely falling apart while doing his best to keep it together. The Madcap Laughs and Barrett present an interesting case study—not in depression—but a mind slightly unbalanced and off-kilter. The songs present the listener with a different kind of challenge from the early psychedelic recordings Barrett did with Pink Floyd. I've grown to love both, and I'd wager there will never be another like him.

This Happy Medium Song of the Day is the last in my three-part tribute to Syd. It's called “Late Night” and it comes from the album, The Madcap Laughs.