ATOM HEART MOTHER

Going into this, I am a level 1. I've heard some tracks, but never the whole album. I've definitely heard Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast before. I am mainly (but not entirely) post- Meddle when it comes to PF knowledge. I am looking forward to this, though, I'm sure it's going to be quite a ride!

Track 1 - Atom Heart Mother

We jump right in with a side-long, should be good! A low drone starts things off, and gradually brass instruments join in. It eventually sounds like a fanfare, then the band joins in at around 1:30 with a moderate rhythm. The brass takes back over with battle sounds and explosions before the band re-joins. A cello comes in next with a keyboard ostinato underneath. Gilmour slide takes the reins next with a smooth Mason & Waters rhythm underneath. Now we have a choir. So far, I am enjoying this! Apparently, this album went #1 in the UK, I don't think it was as well known in its day in the US. The choir is not singing lyrics, just "Aahhs" and such, but I like it. At around 10:45 we get a proper Gilmour solo over a nice rhythm and organ from Wright. Too bad Waters has become such an egomaniacal jerk, as he is a hell of a bass player. More nonsensical vocals come in next. I'm calling this "weird, but in an interesting way." The brass section returns again followed by sound effects. It's very "experimental." This is essentially an instrumental piece, as the vocals that ARE there are effectively acting as instruments. I enjoyed it.

Track 2 - If

This would have been the beginning of side 2, with Waters, Wright, and Gilmour each composing and singing a track. "If" is Waters' contribution. It begins with nylon-string acoustic and simple vocals. The tune reminds me of what would become "Goodbye, Cruel World," from The Wall nearly a decade later. A soft organ and slide guitar have an interlude before the vocals resume. On the next verse, some subtle hi-hat joins the rhythm. It gives way to another instrumental break with a gentle drumbeat (Possibly played with brushed), piano and harmonized lead guitars. The final verse is sung in harmony. Not bad, not great.

Track 3 - Summer '68

This is Wright's contribution. It begins with piano and mellow bass & drums. Wright gets forgotten as a vocalist later in Floyd's discography, but he is a good singer as well, even if not as powerful as Gilmour and Waters. On the second verse, we have organ. Following that verse, things take off with louder instrumentation and more rhythm and stronger vocals. There is a trumpet-sounding solo, but I believe it is Wright's keyboards producing the sound. I really like this track. We get some Ba-Ba vocals. It does seem that the brass section returns later in the song though.

Track 4 - Fat Old Sun

Here is Gilmour's contribution. Acoustic guitar, vocals and slide guitar in the distance. Bass joins in along with subtle organ. Apparently, Gilmour is playing everything but the organ, which is Wright, even the drums! Not bad David! I also understand that this is one of the first songs he wrote. It's a good track but his vocals are too far in the background. It sounds a bit like a demo, maybe a little more polish was in order? Still, I like it!

Track 5 - Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast

This track is essentially PF Roadie Alan Styles, making breakfast and rambling about breakfasts he's had around the world while the band rehearses in the background. This seems like it belongs to the experimentation of the preceding album Ummagumma, rather than this more song-based album. It's more musical than that description sounds. There is some wonderful piano and organ playing from Wright. Following some talk of macrobiotic breakfasts in Los Angeles, there is excellent acoustic guitar playing, even though we hear Alan eating his food while it's playing. The guitar parts remind me a bit of the Beatles' Dear Prudence. Now we get bacon frying with Alan's mutterings. In the final segment, the full band plays. It is clearly a classic PF sound. I kind of wish they'd have developed the instrumental sections more and left out Alan's breakfast noises. But it was 1970, and it was still essentially the 60s spirit of experimentation. I still enjoy the track, despite the early ASMR sounds that accompany it.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Very enjoyable album. You can tell they are on the path that would be refined more on Meddle and perfected on DSOTM and WYWH. There are a few "what were they thinking" moments, but overall, I like it. 4 out of 5 Stars.