ATOM HEART MOTHER

Being 1970 this album is right in between the awkward experimental phase. And being before Meddle where the band would find direction they were happier with that would help shape the future. This album is where the band starts to really display a much higher level of greatness and showing much greater potential but missing the mark they were hoping for.

The result is an often misunderstood album but also original sounding album that has moments of brilliance, originality, obscurity, and very well liked Pink Floyd albums by diehards that many people have never had the chance to hear. Mirroring of the band arrangements with orchestral arrangements. Plenty of Jazz and Classical elements and influences. Perhaps it was the collaboration efforts and not doing enough on their own that made them feel insecure about this album. Even crazier that critics actually really liked this album.

The suite Atom Heart Mother is interesting to listen to. I have heard some people call it pretentious but I fully disagree. This is 1970 we are talking about. Symphonic Metal bands often use the arrangements of band with choir and orchestra. And we are talking decades later. This is once again Pink Floyd projecting the future without even knowing about it. Alan Parsons used this formula in multiple albums. This is also the first album he was involved in with Pink Floyd.

If a humorous song about a relationship that didn't work which would go into the next song. Weakest track on the album. I do like Richard Wrights piano solos towards the end.

Summer of '68is avery Jazz influenced piece from Richard Wright. And of course Jazz influences would continue to intensify throughout Pink Floyd's music throughout most of the 70's. Both Cool Jazz and Fusion influences.

Fat Old Sun is considered a classic and a very beautiful and well liked song. David Gilmour would make it more of a staple for his live shows going into the 2000's.

Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast is really bizarre due to the background noises. When the music gets good it gets really good. Some really cool Jazz moments I really enjoy.

An obscure overlooked gem overall. It might not make my top 5 but I feel it's a very monumental album that really shows a step in the right direction and a huge breakthrough for the band that would continue all throughout the 70's. The perfect way to start the decade and something completely different formula that would never be used again that only adds to this album being more interesting.

While everything and everyone had to get better after the standards set by In the Court of the Crimson King, Pink Floyd would try something entirely different and made something unique.