“What would Syd do?” That could have been the title of this album by A Devil’s Din. “Skylight” is a fair estimation of what Pink Floyd could have sounded like had Syd Barrett not lost his mind to LSD. The album really could have been a 70s era Barrett-led Floyd.

The vibe on this album is very much psych rock and doesn’t stray much from that at all. The guitar tone is often quite clean with minimal overdubs. Vocally, the band have that peaceful Pink Floyd vibe that not only was present when Barrett was in the band but after he left as well.

The songs are good but many are not what I’d call great. The best track is the longest, “I Don’t Know.” At just over 7 minutes, it does actually build up nicely and has an excellent climax to it. I just wish there was more of that. “Nature of the Beast” is another solid track which has some good punch to it which is lacking with the first few tracks on the album. Think: “Astonomy Domine.”

The piano led “For a While” is very good as well, it’s the one track that feels more like Gilmour era Floyd than the Barrett era. The other track that changes the pace is “Eye’s Pie” which has some synths on it! I do wish there was more color to the overall album. All in all, it’s a good album but there is a sameness that creeps in very quickly.

A Devil’s Din are another band fond of 60s psych rock but they are more committed to Syd Barrett era Floyd than any band I’ve come across. I suppose if “Piper at the Gates of Dawn” is your all time favorite album, “Skylight” is a must buy for you. Personally, I’d rather have a world with “Dark Side of the Moon.” What if Syd never left Floyd? A Devil’s Din answer that question on “Skylight.”

Rating: 6.5/10

Tracklist:

1. Skylight
2. Phaze Ulysses
3. Never The Same Thing
4. Bow To Thee, Absurde
5. I Don’t Know
6. Nature Of The Beast
7. For A While
8. Eye’s Pie
9. Prequel

Label: Island Dive Records
Bandcamp: adevilsdin.bandcamp.com