Relics

Originally issued in 1971, Relics culls from the Pink Floyd's first five singles (two A-sides and three B-sides, including the non-album pop classics "See Emily Play" and "Arnold Layne") and picks album material that capitalises on the band's versatility. From Piper, there is "Bike" and the mesmerizing "Interstellar Overdrive", one of the band's trademark instrumental freak-outs; "The Nile Song", taken from the More soundtrack, is one of the heaviest songs the band recorded.

Since Relics is a compilation and not a regular studio album, it tends to be overlooked when thought of as one of Pink Floyd's better releases. It might not be regarded as a classic psychedelic masterpiece in the manner of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and it certainly won't ever achieve the multiple platinum status of Dark Side of the Moon, but it's a pretty good place to start with the band's early catalogue.

A little bit of everything that made early Pink Floyd can be found here. Without a doubt, Relics is an essential part of the band's discography.