Released in 1970, Atom Heart Mother was released to some pretty bad reviews by critics who thought the first half of the album, the title track, was pompous and pretentious, yet it still managed to make it to number 1 on the UK charts. This album was truly the most cohesive album they had put forth yet, and it also showed that they were now more a progressive rock band than anything else. To this day many hate this album completely, but I think otherwise. It is well put together and very progressive, which I enjoy very much.
On the first side, there is the epic 23 minute "Atom Heart Mother" and on the other side there are four more tracks- one by bassist Roger Waters, one by keyboardist Rick Wright, one by guitarist David Gilmour, and then one written by all four members, the instrumental "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast".
The title track leads off the record very well, and very differently than previous and future records. Although Wright would use part of the horn section of the orchestra for his track on the album "Summer '68", this is the only track that uses the orchestra prominently throughout. The piece is formed by several sections that all lead into each other beautifully, which makes this song seem like a movie soundtrack almost, very cinematic. There is a main theme that reappears throughout the piece that sounds very triumphant as if it is trying to tell a story even though it is an instrumental piece (although the choir does sing wordless vocals over top in certain sections). The level of musicianship is extremely high, especially with how intricate the song is going from section to section. One of my personal favorite sections is "Funky Dung" which sounds a lot more like traditional Pink Floyd than with the orchestra. Rick plays some very jammy organ riffs alongside Dave Gilmour who plays some guitar solos with him. The other half of the band stays in the jam mood for a while and they all seem so tight in their performance even in jamming. "Atom Heart Mother" ends by triumphantly reprising the opening theme with the choir even joining in and coming to an epic end with everyone joining in unity on the last major chord. This piece is truly magnificent, showing just how far Pink Floyd had come in their talent.
The second side opens with an acoustic tune written by Waters entitled "If". The song talks about how someone's personality would be different if he or she was someone- or something- else, basically analyzing oneself. The piece is very quiet and is similar to "Grantchester Meadows" off of Ummagumma in its country and folky sound to it. It is a hidden gem in the Pink Floyd collection of songs, as with most of the record. I enjoy it because it is a nice break from the loudness and urgency of "Atom Heart Mother".
The following track is even better than Waters'. The Rick Wright track "Summer '68" portrays the story of losing someone that you only knew for a short while yet being very sad over it. Rick Wright's vocals are beautifully sung and David Gilmour's voice perfectly harmonizes with him. The piece is very dynamic with quiet verses on acoustic guitar and piano countering the louder verse and the even louder bridge section that features a horn section that contrasts so well with the rest of the song. The horn melody is very well put together and different than anything else I have heard, different also than any other Pink Floyd song. Another great tune that sticks in your head for a long time.
Next up is the Gilmour track "Fat Old Sun". This track is another soft track that sticks to the acoustic guitar and a soft bass line which is surprisingly prominent all. Eventually the drums come in and the keyboards.. It is dynamic not so much in volume, but in the difference between the verses and the choruses. The verses keep a somewhat major sound to them whereas the choruses have a minor sound to them. Also of note, the chorus's chord sequence is very unpredictably, which I am a fan of as I see too many bands sticking to I IV V progression. Another favorite of mine. By the way, Gilmour plays all the instruments on this track except for the keyboards, pretty talented guy, huh?
The final track is the 13 minute "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast". The piece, another instrumental, is based around the recording of roadie Alan Stiles talking about what he eats for breakfast and how he makes it. It is fun to listen to the sound clips, but what lies beyond is even better. The song is divided into three sections. The first, "Rise and Shine", is based on guitar soloing over a keyboard melody/solo which really work together tightly. Roger and Nick are patiently in the background forming the quiet rhythm section. This then transfers with a couple of organ chords that fade into more of Alan making breakfast. It is quite entertaining to hear this sort of stuff from a band who creates 23 minute instrumental pieces and songs that are very deep lyrically. This second section, entitled "Sunny Side Up", is the part of the record left to Gilmour for guitar showcasing. He plays a beautiful and melodic tune on two acoustic guitars and then overlays them with a steel guitar. Although it is nothing super intricate in the playing, the intricacy is making it all work so well together. At the end of the second section, we hear Alan frying an egg and speaking which leads back into a reprise of the first section. The third and final section is "Morning Glory", which provides an excellent end to an excellent album. Once the music ends, you can hear a car driving away followed by the sound of a faucet dripping, which, on the vinyl, goes on indefinitely by being put in the run-out groove, which loops until the needle is taken off.
This record still astounds me to this day- not only that it is so cohesive, but the fact that not that many people, even Floyd fans enjoy it. Along with Meddle, Atom Heart Mother is one of my favorite Floyd albums of all time, and I can't even think of a negative thing to say about it! I give it a 10 out of 10.
A live version of "Atom Heart Mother":
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