Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

8. Syd BarrettThe Mad Cap Laughs

It’s not even an innocence, it’s a freedom to not bother about how a song should sound, if it’s in tune or not. The whole thing of beginning one song and then having to go back and do it in another key, but keeping it on the album, sums up the times when I used to be with people and we’d sit around and sing and play music together. There’d always be an acoustic guitar, drums, instruments around, and he epitomised that moment to me, it’s as if you’re in the flat with him and he’s doing these songs. It’s also that vulnerability that Nico had, and he wasn’t afraid to show it.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Jennifer Herrema
PreviousNext Record

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today