Interstellar Overdrive

Pink Floyd, 1967. Solo by Syd Barrett.

Barrett abandons conventional soloing for slide, echo and noise built around a descending chromatic riff.

Interstellar Overdrive is a fearless instrumental, and Syd Barrett's guitar work is closer to sound sculpture than soloing. Built around a descending, chromatic riff, the track dissolves into sections of slide, echo and noise, with Barrett using the guitar to create waves of texture and tension rather than melodies. It was a radical approach in 1967, influencing experimental rock, space rock and noise music. Listen for how the opening riff anchors the track before everything breaks apart into swirling, chaotic sounds, and for the moments when Barrett's slides and echoes seem to drift in space, before the band gradually finds its way back to the riff for a dramatic return.

Interstellar Overdrive by Pink Floyd is featured in our Psychedelic (#18) list. The solo is played by Syd Barrett and the song was released in 1967.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Psychedelic Guitar Solos — #18

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