ATOM HEART MOTHER

This is one of my favorite prog albums of the seventies. Well, to make it clear, I always refer to this album with the title track "Atom Heart Mother" which comprises seven movements. It's not to say that other tracks are bad ones, it's more on my habit of playing this album only the title track because at that time I was not really into any kind of psychedelic music which sounded to me very boring. For the sake of this review, I have listened to the album in its entirety to give you my opinion towards this album. Otherwise, my review will be biased against the first track only.

In this album the band took grandiose approach by inviting Ron Geesin to work especially on chorus and orchestra he added at the title track. The use of orchestra in prog music has always been my favorite so my opinion about this album is definitely biased towards my personal preferences. But, specific with this long track, if I put aside the orchestra addition I still can see the beauty of the song especially in its harmony and catchy melody. The opening part with an ambient nuance followed with a blast of the orchestra which flows uniquely from one part to another - especially the use of brass instruments - ha made a special experience for me. Not only that. The duet of Gilmour's stunning guitar work and Wright's organ / keyboard work is another great enjoyment to experience for me. The choir which comprises non-lyrical voices of female and male is another point of attraction especially in an angular fashion. Well, for me personally, this is a wonderfully crafted composition with powerful songwriting and great performance. Listening to this track is a joy and most of the time I realized that the end of the song seemed so sudden because of full of enjoyment throughout the 23 minutes duration. Please note, at that time there was no Yes "Close To The Edge", no Genesis "Supper's Ready", no Jethro Tull's "Thick As A Brick". King Crimson had already released "In The Court of The crimson King" but there was no track which consumed 23 minute duration. So, this track can be considered as a pioneer of long epic in prog. Probably the other one was Procol Harum's "In Held Twas I".

The remaining space of the disc contains songs that - for my personal taste - does not stimulate something stand-out, musically. The ballad "If" can be considered as a snoozer. Half way through of "Summer '68" is something on good intro but the coda part is something off-track. "Fat Old Sun" seems to me like a track that functions as a "filler" only to make the disc full. "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" is the band's exploration on different kind of sounds but nothing special can be heard.

Overall, this album still has a strong appeal to me because of the title track. The other tracks are not something that please my ears which I tend to skip them. I still consider this as an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW