If I Go Insane Please Don't Put Your Wires In My Brain

I feel like I’m beating an old drum with how often I say that certain albums are one of my favorites but once again I must say it again, “Atom Heart Mother” is a Pink Floyd classic. This album was released right before “Meddle” which was in the year 1970, like “Meddle”, “Atom Heart Mother” has a short track listing of only five songs but in Floydesque style, songs with length. A rather interesting note regarding this album is that Floyd themselves do not exactly prefer this album opposed to their others often putting it down, sometimes it boggles my mind how artists can completely write off some of their best work, a very good reminder of this is with Weezer who basically loathe their fan favorite album “Pinkerton.” Regardless, it is certainly understandable why people may not immediately gravitate towards this album due to its 23 minute opening self titled instrumental piece which may deter listeners from listening to the rest of the album. Despite the length it is quite a captivating piece with a wonderful French horn section which really creates some stunning drama. The three following tracks are short (When speaking of Floyd) but very personal songs each sung by a different member. The first of which is “If” sung by Waters, a very dreamy song with surreal lyrics and a soothing arpeggio on guitar which continues throughout the whole song. “Summer of 68’” is the next song sung by Wright who has a voice extremely similar to Gilmour’s. The song has a rather funky touch to it decorated with a wonderful brass section and great piano lines; this is a song which can certainly be tied in with Syd Barrett influences thanks to its catchy chorus and musical style. “Fat Old Sun” is the last of the shorter songs sung by David Gilmour, and this is the highlight of the album. This just may be the most beautiful sounding song Floyd has ever written, the lyrics use fantastic imagery and are backed by a slowly strummed acoustic guitar and Gilmour’s magnificent voice, the song peaks about three and a half minutes in where Gilmour shows off what is arguably his best solo ever, right there with “Comfortably Numb” personally I may like this solo a bit more, and I must say seeing this song live was definitely one of the best experiences of my life, one that I will take to the grave. The album ends on what can be seen as a rather comedic note with “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast”. The title basically explains everything, a psychedelic trip through breakfast time following someone through there morning routine of making coffee, lighting up a cigarette, pouring and eating cereal and etc. The band does play over Alan’s morning routine but nothing that would really qualify as spectacular or even “good” for that matter but once again the musical sections need to be put into context with the theme of the song. This is not a song that in any way should be listened to on its own but MUST be listened to along with the rest of the album (I honestly feel that ALL Floyd work should be listened to in its entirety but most songs can be enjoyed on their own terms.) This album holds up as one of Floyd’s best albums whether they like it or not, it is a grand eloquent album with bombastic themes and pieces, but not overly pretentious to the point where they are trying to create something which completely flies over the listeners head. Like “Meddle” this shows the band going on the right path towards the perfect balance of grand ideas and musical work, “Atom Heart Mother” is a phenomenal work of art that shows what a band can do when all putting forth equal creativity and ideas.