On his second solo album,
Barrett was joined by
Humble Pie drummer
Jerry Shirley and
Pink Floyd members
Rick Wright (organ) and
Dave Gilmour (guitar).
Gilmour and
Wright acted as producers as well. Instrumentally, the result is a bit fuller and smoother than the first album, although it's since been revealed that
Gilmour and
Wright embellished these songs as best they could without much involvement from
Barrett, who was often unable or unwilling to perfect his performance. The songs, however, are just as fractured as on his debut, if not more so. "Baby Lemonade," "Gigolo Aunt," and the nursery rhyming "Effervescing Elephant" rank among his peppiest and best-loved tunes. Elsewhere, the tone is darker and more meandering. It was regarded as something of a charming but unfocused throwaway at the time of its release, but
Barrett's singularly whimsical and unsettling vision holds up well. [
Barrett was reissued in 2010 and added seven bonus takes.] ~ Richie Unterberger