ATOM HEART MOTHER

With one of the most recognized album covers in existence, "Atom Heart Mother" is a highly moo-ving progressive experience. Together with Ron Geesin (who previously collaborated with Waters in the OST "Music From The Body") the FLOYD embarked on their most ambitious journey yet. The addition of a brass orchestra into their repertoire was nothing short of ELP-bombastic.

If the 'Atom Heart Mother' Suite could be described in a single word, it would be: Rich. The centrepiece of the album, there is a lot to discover here. Many different instrumental and orchestral layers to peel away. There are no 'lyrics' per se in the suite, but the accompanying voices add a certain 'movie music' texture to the piece. One could only guess what would have been playing on Mr. Screen behind the band if it had actually existed back then.

In a better example of how to make solo pieces for an album (unlike the "Ummagumma" studio album!) the individual band members put together some very interesting tunes for Side Two. 'If' is not Waters' most inspired work, and in fact is a bit dull. 'Summer '68' and 'Fat Old Sun' are the real hidden gems on AHM, written by Wright and Gilmour respectively. Wright continues to show that he is a very competent songwriter, and his offering on AHM is easily superior to Mr. Waters'. Dave Gilmour builds upon his soft and unique 'Green Is The Colour' type sound to give us the wonderfully pastoral 'Fat Old Sun'. It's hard to decide what is better: his voice, or his guitar playing? Enjoy Gilmour's walking-into-the-sunset guitar solo as it fades away at the end of 'Fat Old Sun'.

Love it or hate it, the 'Atom Heart Mother' Suite is a progressive rock must for all beginner progheads. The album itself is not quite a masterpiece though, due mainly to the simply ordinary 'If' and the none too serious, but still enjoyable 'Alan's Psychadelic Breakfast'. (On the original vinyl release, the dripping water sound at the end of 'Alan's Psychadelic Breakfast' will play continuously in a loop, until the needle is removed)

"Marmalade...I Like Marmalade"

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