ATOM HEART MOTHER

OK first of all give these guys a break. Syd Barrett just went crazy and these guys had a lot of trouble finding their footing. It was this album that they first began to lean toward the long instrumental passages their famous for with the Atom Heart Mother Suite. Although Ron Geesins orchestra doesn't sound very Floydian it is still a very nice piece of music. All through it the song is saved by Gilmour's guitar playing which is close to some of his best. If is an excellent folk song by Waters with very odd lyrics,

"If I go insane, please don't put your wires in my brain,"

It is one of the many hidden jewels in the Floyd catalog. Summer '68 and Fat Old Sum are also hidden jewels both be very catchy. Wright's singing is the best it's ever been on Summer '68 and Fat Old Sun's vocals are sung with perfection as well. The only thing keeping this from being a perfect album is Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast. Yes the noises and instumentals are good but it would only be a good song if it were six minutes shorter. This song kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth but it isn't as bad as it might seem. It was a nice attempt Floyd but just not your best.

EDIT 8/21/10:

This album is a masterpiece. It's a grower nonetheless but it is definitely a masterpiece of progressive music. Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast isn't as bad as it first seems and the other songs are darn near absolute perfection. It must have been hard to pull an album like this off under the circumstances. 5 golden stars.