It is 1970. The Psychedelic age is closing out, and your band needs direction. Where to go? Pink Floyd took the route into Progressive Rock, and created Atom Heart Mother. Their first really entry into the genre, the album sits in a slightly awkward transition period, but manages to stay strong.
The album's A side is the 23 minute long title track. Though not the first epic in Prog Rock history, it truly shows the potential of the genre. The band, particularly Rick Wright, experiment with synthesizer sounds, use of orchestra, and long movements plastered seamlessly together. Using horns, shifting themes, rhythms, and chord structures, the piece covers many of the moods of Progressive rock. Fanfare? Has it. Guitar heroics? Has it. Solemn interlude? Has it. Though it has a lot of strengths, it does drag a little, the Floyd were not quite ready for the full side long slog. However, it also was the practice run for "Echoes" down the line, and is much better than its reputation. On side B, don't miss the quicker songs. Water's "If" is a sweet love song, Wright's "Summer '68" is a nice piece of prog-pop.
A nice piece in and of itself, and an indicator of a bright future. Grade: B+
The album's A side is the 23 minute long title track. Though not the first epic in Prog Rock history, it truly shows the potential of the genre. The band, particularly Rick Wright, experiment with synthesizer sounds, use of orchestra, and long movements plastered seamlessly together. Using horns, shifting themes, rhythms, and chord structures, the piece covers many of the moods of Progressive rock. Fanfare? Has it. Guitar heroics? Has it. Solemn interlude? Has it. Though it has a lot of strengths, it does drag a little, the Floyd were not quite ready for the full side long slog. However, it also was the practice run for "Echoes" down the line, and is much better than its reputation. On side B, don't miss the quicker songs. Water's "If" is a sweet love song, Wright's "Summer '68" is a nice piece of prog-pop.
A nice piece in and of itself, and an indicator of a bright future. Grade: B+
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