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Rating: The cover already speaks volumes about how Pink Floyd approaches the music market: no title, no names, cows grazing that have nothing to do with the album's content. It is the group's first true progressive rock album, after years of psychedelia, and the emerging musical genre is approached in the most typical way, namely with the creation of a suite that occupies the entire side A (we are obviously talking about vinyl...), moreover with the use of an orchestra and a large lyrical choir, typical elements of the so-called symphonic prog.
The musicians involved are David Gilmour (guitarist), Roger Waters (bassist), Rick Wright (keyboardist), and Nick Mason (drummer), after all the four who have always been part of the group, except in the debut album and in those following the contrasts between Gilmour and Waters which led to the latter's departure, and here there is room for debate on whether the albums released without him can still be considered Pink Floyd.
"Atom Heart Mother," the track, is a solemn opus, where everyone has the chance to showcase themselves, (even though I prefer Gilmour's work), full of ideas, where another band could live off it for at least 5 more albums. Pink Floyd certainly didn't reinvent the wheel by using an orchestra, but the combination in this case is perfect.
Turning the vinyl, the atmosphere changes, with the sweetness of "If," a track over whose acoustic arpeggio dozens of budding guitarists have tried their hand, and then the cards are shuffled again with the majestic "Summer '68," perhaps Rick Wright's best composition, whose importance in the band has never been highlighted enough. "Fat Old Sun" is listened to without much emotion, but the album is closed in grand style, just as it had begun, with "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast," divided into three segments, in which the Pinks remember being pioneers of psychedelia, and thus the music is accompanied by sounds: running water, doors slamming, stoves lighting, it really feels like we have just woken up and are about to have breakfast, but not a normal breakfast, rather a Pink Floyd breakfast, which is certainly a good way to start the day.
Tracklist and Videos
01 Atom Heart Mother: a) Father’s Shout / b) Breast Milky / c) Mother Fore / d) Funky Dung / e) Mind Your Throats Please / f) Remergence (23:44)
05 Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast: a) Rise and Shine / b) Sunny Side Up / c) Morning Glory (13:00)
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Other reviews
By Ummagumma72
"'Atom Heart Mother', written by Waters, is simply majestic; 24 minutes of orchestra and apocalyptic choirs envelop you in total trance."
"It’s a work executed to step somewhat out of their purely experimental style ... while still preserving their imprint."
By FLOYDMAN
Atom Heart Mother is an extremely varied album, capable of moving from the orgasmic explosion of sounds mixing brass and electric guitars to bare and raw acoustic guitar.
The album is structured on two long suites, placed at the beginning and the end, around which the other short and sweet compositions revolve.
By Viva Lì
Atom Heart Mother is more definable as a 'musical work at the limits of lyricism' rather than pop music or, worse yet, sophisticated psychedelia.
Waters' bass and David Gilmour's guitar are, as always, a guarantee of genius and perfection.
By DaveJonGilmour
For me, perhaps, this is the most coherent work of Pink Floyd, and the most choral.
Brass and choirs make an impact, Quadraphonic, and I’m scattered in the room.
By Sharkste
If humanity possessed a video of the Big Bang and music had to be introduced for a documentary, I would use the finale of Atom Heart Mother.
Pink Floyd was the greatest band that ever existed is not enough. Because even just defining them as a 'band' is reductive in proportion to what they were.
