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Atom Heart Mother by: Pink Floyd

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Rating: - Survives test of time

This was the first Floyd I ever heard, and pre-DSOM it was the most amazing album I had ever heard. Working my way through my Floyd collection now, it is one of the few albums I can play without my finger on the Fast-Forward button, (or eject - Final Cut!).

I know some people don't like the title track and that Floyd themselves say they regret it, but I feel it is a wonderful work with many revolutionary ideas which still sound good. Tracks 2-4 always were untypical fillers but have survived the test of time. As a 13 year old, I thrilled to Alan's breakfast cos it was so different, but I can understand the modern audience turning it off.

Rating: - at their very best

if you were to mention pink floyd to a modern-day lad with no knowledge of the floyd's past, they would probably mumble something about 'dark side'. however, dark side, or in fact any album beyond 1973, is not a patch on this fine recording that in my opinion is one of the greatest albums ever to be made by anyone. the opening title track in all its 23 minute glory is an album alone, taking you through a series of enthralling riffs and emotions that really projects what pink floyd is all about. 'if' is a fantastic little acoustic song, and 'summer 68' is up there with their greatest pieces of music, including a saucerful of secrets, comfortably numb, echoes, hey you, and shine on you crazy diamond to name a few. the last two songs are also awesome, including alan's psychadelic breakfast, which is every bit as good as the opening track, with a beautifully happy and captivating piano riff to kick the song off to a start. although pink floyd's most memorable and brilliant songs generally feature in their work beyond 1971's meddle, as a whole albums like atom heart mother and ummagumma display far more talent, although maybe proving complexing at first. any floyd fan who deem them a 70's band is not a floyd fan at all.

Rating: - Oh mother

Obviously, the Floyd were doing something right here because this album went to number 1. I can't see why though. Maybe it's because grand ambition was everything to rock fans in 1970. In truth, the side-long title track is a flabby mess. The band have anyway virtually admitted since that the recording process was chaotic. The most memorable sections are provided by the orchestral musicians they brought in.

The three short songs by Waters, Wright and Gilmour however all have something to commend them. This is ironic considering that it isn't really what the Floyd were all about. Wright's well-constructed "Summer '68" is my favourite, though I've seen it high in lists of the least-liked songs of fans.

So, it's left to "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" to complete the salvage operation. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Pink Floyd were taking the proverbial whatsit out of their fans here? This is one of those tracks that brings to mind the pile of bricks in the art gallery. Never mind, the following year they made one of their best albums, "Meddle". But if you're looking for examples of classic rock to fill your collection, avoid this.

Rating: - They don't make 'em like this anymore...

This is a superb album - it tails off a bit with the last track, but really it stands or falls with the epic title track. The band were helped out with brass and choral arrangements on this by (avant-garde composer) Ron Geesin, and I think they succeed brilliantly. I've heard a lot of rock musicians attempt to use orchestral instruments alongside a rock band (e.g. Deep Purple, Zappa, Malmsteen, Metallica etc.) but I don't think anyone has done it as well as the Floyd do here.

The piece has six named sections, but it moves in many surprising directions within those. One of the highlights for me is the long choral section which gradually increases in pace and strangeness until a Hammond organ enters to introduce the "Funky Dung" section and leads into a crystal clear Strat solo from David Gilmour. Funky Dung? Emphasis on the adjective, not on the noun!

The remaining songs seem like something of an afterthought after that giant rock symphony, but they certainly don't let the album down - If and Fat Old Sun are the highlights. So, a great album. Not necessarily the best place to start if you're new to the Floyd (I'd say go for Dark Side of the Moon instead), but a firm fan favourite.

In case anyone's wondering what an "Atom Heart Mother" is, here's the story. The name of the album came about by chance, when the band were phoned by their record company, asking if they'd decided what to call the new album. They hadn't thought of a title yet, but beside the phone was a newspaper with a story about a woman who had had some sort of atomic pacemaker fitted - and there was the headline: "Atom Heart Mother".

Rating: - I've got an Atom Heart!

A very underrated Floyd classic. The title track is an absolute scorcher which builds up and breaks down numerous times throughout but never fails to satisfy. Gilmour's 'Fat Old Sun' is one of his best efforts while with the Floyd and remings me of his later works on 'The Division Bell'. The other tracks roll along nicely and 'Alan's Physchodelic Breakfast' is very different to much you will have ever heard!

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