Syd Barrett's "Madcap" LP - BBC Mental Health Week
Written by Matt   
Monday, 08 March 2004

As reported last week, the BBC are running a week-long campaign focusing on mental health, and BBC Radio 6 are looking at the world of music in relation to the subject.

We've already mentioned the vote for your favourite "Songs That Saved Your Life", with the Pink Floyd song "Comfortably Numb" ending up at number seven overall in the poll, behind such cheerful souls as Morrissey and Radiohead. This week, BBC Radio 6 are also having an "album of the day".

These highlight the artists who have struggled with mental health whilst making great music. Monday's album was Syd Barrett's 1970 album, "The Madcap Laughs", which also included the help and input of Roger Waters and David Gilmour in the creation and recording of the album.

The album is an apt one for the BBC to select; Syd's problems are evident throughout, with the tortured performance speaking volumes and making listening difficult in places.