Search - Pink Floyd :: Atom Heart Mother

I don't care what Roger Waters thinks, this is one good albu

Jennifer | 08/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the words of Roger Waters: "I wouldn't dream of playing anything that embarassed me. If somebody said to me now 'Right, here's a million pounds, go out and play 'Atom Heart Mother'!' I'd say 'You must be %$^&ing joking! I'm not playing that rubbish!' 'Cos then I would really be embarassed."



I, however, don't really think the album is that bad. Not even a little bit! Maybe that's just because I'm weird. It's certainly not my most favorite album (That's a tie between"Meddle" and "The Wall") But, I found it all very intriguing and wonderfully avant-garde. First off, for you people that DO think the album is a load of rubbish, let me just remind you that the Floyd were still a fairly new band at the time, and therefore, still experimenting and trying to find a new, unique sound that suited them. Like I pointed out, this album is not my favorite, but it IS in the top five of my favorite Floyd records.



The album opens with the "Atom Heart Mother Suite." The Floyd's second longest song. And, I think, the first time in rock and roll, apart from the Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed", that orchestra and choir were all combined together. I thought it was a very triumphant track, and EXTREMELY avant-garde. I mean, you haven't heard avant-garde until you've heard this!



Next is Waters' folk ballad, "If." Exploring Waters' more vulnerable side, which we don't see very often. I thought this song was very pretty, and it combined folk music with progressive rock in a way that I hadn't thought possible until now.



Following that is "Summer '68", which is probably my favorite track on the album. Rick Wright sings about his one night stand with a groupie, their second most suggestive song next to "Candy and A Currant Bun". It begins with piano, leading you to think it will be a soft, mellow song. But, the chorus bursts in loudly and unexpectedly. The song carries a certain homemade quality to it which I find very appealing. Great job, Rick!



David's track "Fat Old Sun" comes next. Waters has always complained that Gilmour knows nothing about writing lyrics and that he should go strangle himself. (Okay, well maybe he never said "strangle himself", but most things he did say to Gilmour imply that.) I, however, thought Gilmour's lyrics in this song were great. The song brings vivid images of a lovely summer day in the country. And Gilmour's voice and guitar, as always, are lovely.



And then the album closes with "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast." An experimental track. I love it! Sound effects of what an English breakfast might sound like, along with some pretty, mellow, homemade music. Rick's piano riff is oddly comforting and inviting. If this track were a person, it would say "Hey! Come on in! Play me! I'm wonderful!"



However, I don't recommend this album for anyone who doesn't enjoy quirky, original and experimental music. If you are one of those people, I suggest you just stick with "Dark Side of The Moon" and their "Greatest Hits" compilations. This album may be a little too much for you too handle.



But, if you, like me, enjoy quirky experimentation in your music, then I highly recommend this album for you! You will not be disappointed!

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