Atom Heart Mother - Pink Floyd Album Reviews

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#PinkFloyd #AtomHeartMother came out in 1970, beginning a successful run of albums throughout the decade. The orchestral suite takes up the entire A side with songs like If, Summer '68 and Fat Old Sun on the B Side. How does the record hold up as a whole? #AlbumReviews #HistoryofRock
Pink Floyd is without a doubt one of the greatest classic rock bands of all time. They began in the 60s with Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, Richard Wright on organ and Syd Barrett on lead guitar and vocals. Syd was the band's leader and chief songwriter in the early days, penning their first singles Arnold Layne and See Emily Play. This would lead to the release of their 1967 album Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Their live shows were equally inventive incorporating unique light shows. However due to Syd's intake of LSD mixed with a breakdown involving schizophrenia, he would gradually be pushed out of the band he fronted, being replaced with David Gilmour on guitar. This would become Pink Floyd's classic lineup with Roger taking more of a songwriter role. A Saucerful of Secrets was the only album to feature all five band members. More came out in 1969. Pink Floyd was still finding their voice, focusing more on albums rather than singles. It was on Ummagumma where concert versions of Astronomy Domine, Careful with that Axe Eugene, Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun and Saucerful evolved their sound. The studio disc contained experimental tracks. The album sold well proving there was life for Pink Floyd after Syd. In 1970, Atom Heart Mother proved to be a success with the 23 minute instrumental suite orchestrated by Ron Geesin. 1971's Meddle would turn out to be an important staple for the band with the rocking opener One of these Days I'm Going to Cut You Into Little Pieces, featuring a rare spoken vocal by Nick, Roger's echoing bass line and Dave's Slide Guitar. The flip side, another 23 minute piece, Echoes, featuring Dave and Rick on vocals, is often regarded as Progressive Rock's finest moment, from the opening ping of Rick's leslie piano. They would also perform both these songs along with earlier classics Live at Pompeii. The Obscured by Clouds soundtrack appeared in 1972 with tracks like Burning Bridges and Free Four. However 1973's Dark Side of the Moon would become one of the most successful albums of all time, staying on the charts for nearly 13 years and still a best seller today. Roger's lyrics dealt with the evils of society driving one to madness, while the music was nearly one entire inter-connected piece (making it difficult to separate for a playlist or a best of / greatest hits compilation). Still standouts like Money, Time and Great Gig in the Sky are favorites among fans. Their 1975 followup Wish You Were Here, featuring the opening and closing piece Shine On You Crazy Diamond (a tribute to Syd Barrett who even showed up at the sessions), is thought to be equally great, if not greater, as Dark Side. But tensions between the band were beginning to rear their head. 1977 saw the release of Animals, likening three animals: Dogs, Sheep and Pigs to various classes of society. Roger became the band's main frontman and sole songwriter with Dave occasionally sharing the mic and writing credits. Tensions grew during the tour when Roger ended up spitting on a fan in Montreal and coming up with the idea for The Wall to separate himself from the audience. 1979 would see the release of The Wall, the album and later the tour and film. Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 became their best selling single and Comfortably Numb remains one of their most popular tunes. But it nearly broke up the band as Roger fired Rick for lack of output, creating a greater rift between him and Dave. 1983's The Final Cut was Roger's final album with Pink Floyd before he officially left, leaving Dave and Nick to reunite with Rick for 1987's Momentary Lapse of Reason. Roger sued to break up the band, but failed to do so instead focusing on his solo career. The Gilmour led Floyd would produce 1994's The Division Bell, a return to form for many fans with Rick now sharing vocal and songwriting duties again. It wasn't until 2005's Live 8 concert when Dave, Nick and Rick reunited with Roger for a short set giving closure for many fans. Syd died in 2006. Rick died in 2008. The album The Endless River was dedicated in his honor. Pink Floyd's legacy has continued to inspire fans and aspiring musicians, myself included.

[@Iamrooq]

Atom Heart Mother is one of those albums where I swear I’m transported into a dreamscape every time I listen to it

[@marileneboschofsky1418]

Me too

[@twistedspanner]

I've listened to it three times this week 😁

[@MrOctober44]

I'm transported to a place worse then any Hell I could ever could have imagined.

[@bobbybishop368]

@@MrOctober44 then apparently you haven't listened to any KISS records if you think Pink Floyd music is Hell.

[@MisterTMH]

@@bobbybishop368 Or Yoko Ono. She takes the cake for aural torture.

[@christyler6234]

AHM is severely underrated. Great album

[@stijnos244]

i love alan’s psychedelic breakfast not gonna lie...

[@johnpeterpear7368]

Yeah, he did Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast dirty. It's actually one of my favorite songs by Pink Floyd. The second act is lovely and dreamy, and the third act is the perfect end to this solid album

[@porkchopen]

I think AHM is a very good album my favorite track on AHM is “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast”, but other favorite tracks would be “The Atom Heart Mother Suite”, “Summer ‘68”, and “Fat Old Sun”

[@ThaiThom]

In other words everything except If right?

[@porkchopen]

@@ThaiThom yeah

[@typicalfurry2747]

What about If?

[@porkchopen]

@@typicalfurry2747 i think "If" is just okay

[@ernestokrapf]

Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast chord progression goes hard asf man

[@chrismorgan7494]

I think Summer '68 is my favorite track on this album. It's the most sophisticated offering of AHM.

[@ThaiThom]

Yeah that's always the case with Richard Wright's PF songs. They are always highlights.

[@colinrobert6766]

Is it just me or does Nick Mason have one of the most elegant speaking voices

[@lulubellepfboots]

Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast is epic imo

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Atom Heart Mother is fantastic - side 1 is simply awesome!

[@samuelluria4744]

All of the band have been on record disparaging this album at various points over the years, but I don't care, I still love it!!

[@kylethefraggle30]

This may be the only pre Dark Side Of The Moon album that the best song on the album was written by David Gilmour. Fat Old Sun is a classic in my heart

[@samuelluria4744]

One of the absolute best.

[@derfgerps4016]

The title track really got me into the band years ago when I was checking out different stuff. Never knew the band didn’t like it I love it

[@jakechat2716]

Great review, so glad the band did better at their individual compositions. Can't wait for the Meddle review, really enjoying these!!

[@hekirakun]

Finally..... Someone who thinks Summer '68 is probably the best song from Atom Heart Mother.... I just love how "fresh" it sounds, it has a unique feeling

[@koelekahuna9370]

Fat Old Sun (live) by Gilmour is fantastic. APB was still a cool track.

[@daisiesofdoom]

The Title track was my first time acid. It has been my go to song for spiritual enlightenment ever since. Just pure perfection.

[@bobcattom5997]

Glad to see Summer '68 getting some love! The title track is my favorite, but that one is second. Maybe taken down a little by the mixing and how mentioning the name gives people the urge to sing Summer of '69

[@wientraveller2536]

I have had this album since my teenage years and it just gets better and better with age, somehow... Good review!

[@CrankingBots]

Glad you finally mentioned The Body, a masterpiece in my opinion

[@ClassicEra--PulseRuiz]

This album really is a good trip too... it never dissatisfies...

[@robertsteinberger5667]

I believe the singing on songs like fat old sun, summer 68 sounds a bit thin and sometimes it sounds a bit pretentious proggy. The piano chords and horns make it sound beatle esque, sometimes in a good way but not always. Its like a teaser of what is to come and that all said, a very good album.

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

Whenever I listen to If, sometimes I have to remind myself that this is the same band who did Astronomy Domine and Interstellar Overdrive just a few years earlier. It's quite weird

[@TsuyAr]

I want your fear for Ummagumma to be a recurring joke on the channel

[@gaebren9021]

Seriously I really enjoyed Ummagumma. Lots of people like ummagumma. Thankyou for your reviews of Pink Floyd.

[@michaelsandar]

Alan's is one of the first times they really come together in my opinion. Absolutely underrated track

[@ThaiThom]

Atom Heart Mother is my personal favorite Pink Floyd record. I think it's their most interesting one.

[@suzetteanne]

My favorite song on AHM is the Atom Heart Mother Suite! I love it!

[@EverydayAvenger]

David's fat old sun live versions, especially the 'remember that night' royal Albert hall version, is killer!

[@redpig6878]

Tbh, Atom Heart Mother is basically exactly how you felt about Piper. EVERYONE I’m friends with and people I see on KZbin absolutely love this album, and I just don’t see it. As you said with Piper, I just want to listen to Atom Heart Mother, and it just finally clicks with me, but it just hasn’t…

[@theclassicrockjunkie7353]

Atom Heart Mother is not a album I reach for often but I do give it a spin every once in awhile.

[@bobjove6511]

I grew up with this album. one of my personal favorites. Awesome review as well. homework went into this

[@justinclark8867]

7:45 I don't blame ya man. Ummagumma is the scariest thing I ever heard.

[@soulofglebb]

great vid, i always look forward to these

[@Spacemuis1981]

Love your reviews so far

[@emiliankraska100]

Hey JT. Thank you for all these great vidoes about Pink Floyd. They are definitely my favourite band and seeing your thoughts on every single one of their albums is super cool. Looking forward to your review of Meddle!

[@dannypacini9820]

Please JT if you could do a bonus review on Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets new live material. A great addition to the Pink Floyd repertoire

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Will definitely cover it when I get to the end in my retrospective.

[@dannypacini9820]

@@JTCurtisMusic you the man !! Much respect 👊🏼

[@marekkolouch869]

Love those reviews! Agreed on very much everything so far. Also, I love seeing someone finally showing the appreciation, the summer 68 song deserves! Probably one of my most favourite pink floyd songs of all time

[@billyz5088]

AHM - while experimental to a degree - was another turning point in the evolution of the post-Syd Floyd - it pointed the way towards the Meddle album ..

[@LoyalColoradan]

Ummagumma will always be in your house. You can't ever escape it, because it'll magically appear wherever you are. 😈

[@alanthomson1227]

You’re right that when the guitar on Fat old Sun should just soar and really take off it fizzles out .

[@MisterTMH]

You need a record player where the needle doesn't return automatically. The dripping tap in the side two run out groove becomes hypnotic if you are in the right state of mind and the room is dark! Atom Heart Mother is a great record.

[@StephenPeoplePerson]

Love these videos, can't wait for Meddle!

[@bobbybishop368]

The Atom Heart Mother Suite and Summer 68 are 2 major tracks to the soundtrack of my life.

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

Always a pleasure listening your vids. Great production. Very interesting facts.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Thank you!

[@hitfan2000]

This is my 5th favorite Pink Floyd album. The only weak part may be "Alan's Psyechedlic Breakfast", but I also like Rick Wright's piano instrumental that closes the piece. The 1970s was the golden age for the band.

[@eddieschneider1947]

you do a great job. i like your tone. it's perfect.

[@PaulQuintanaJr]

I'm really enjoying your breakdowns. Floyd has always been in my Top 5 bands. I think their story would make an amazing biopic ala Love And Mercy.

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

My favourite Floyd album of all time!!!

[@bondgabebond4907]

JT is a baby. I listened to AHM when it came out way, way back then. The choral part of the title track spooked the hell out of me. Have to say, I love the whole suite. "IF" was another great song, so beautiful I could listen to it if it was 20 minutes long. I wonder if these youngsters really appreciate what these artists did in the late 60s considering the garbage we are getting today.

[@bobbybishop368]

It IS scary depending on your state of mind at the time you're listening to it. Sometimes the high notes on NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN are haunting as well.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

This is a brilliant album. I've wore out my vinyl copy years ago.

[@AndrewAmbrose]

The epic dynamic movie feel of the title track is nothing short of excellent.

[@MLBFCollection]

6:43 You should listen to the BBC live versions from 1970 and 1971 of Fat Old Sun, they're about 15 minutes each and massive jams with many memorable moments, I'm sure you'd enjoy it

[@JTCurtisMusic]

There's a lot of live versions of it, it was a concert staple for a long time and like I said Dave has done it so many times in his solo shows. I can safely say I think I prefer most of these live versions to the original recording (as is the case with many pre Dark Side tracks).

[@FilhoDudu]

Yes, it is perfect. AHM is somenthing that is hard to explain in terms of musical trip. It is the final step to concretize the best song a human being ever created, Echoes, as he plays the leslied piano before "Remergence" starts. My top 3 Floyd songs are: 1. Echoes, 2. Shine On (complete suite) and right after that AHM.

[@janvermanen]

Fat old sun was inspired by lazy old sun by The Kinks.

[@whocraft3614]

My personal reaction to Atom Heart Mother always has been, "This a NICE TRY by Pink Floyd -- with some real high points." Some people rank Atom Heart Mother very highly though, and ... I actually can see why. There is something fresh about Atom Heart Mother.

[@frommetoyou1981]

Enjoying the reviews, Atom heart mother is the start of Pink Floyd as we know and love them. I agree, Piper at the gates of dawn is the best album - or rather my favourite at that point.

[@patrickthomas8890]

I’m obsessed with everything Pink Floyd from Dark Side to Final Cut but can’t get into anything earlier or later. Amazing to me the contrast in my interest

[@genefloyd2002]

Cuando lo escuche por primera vez me gusto, y después lo fui colocando muy seguido. Y mis temas preferidos es en este orden The Atom Heart Mothe, "Summer '68" , Psychedelic Breakfast". Lastima que Summer 68, creo que nunca fue tocado en vivo. Buen video. saludos desde Venezuela

[@margoman]

My favourite part is THE COW

[@supermariofan772003]

Relistening to this album, I found that the Atom Heart Mother suite hasn't aged as well as I hoped it would. I still think it's a great piece and I especially love the jam in the middle, but the choir makes it sound especially dated. This is a rare instance where calling something "pretentious" is actually a valid criticism. It's trying to be something more grand than it really is. On the other hand, I actually love the more stripped down second side. Roger's If might be one of my favorite songs he ever wrote and hits hard for me, having drifted away from many friends over the years. Summer '68 is easily the best track on the album and uses the brass section to its full potential. The chord sequence and piano playing on it is so quintessentially Rick. While I do think the song is better live, Fat Old Sun is also a great track. It's one I love listening to around spring. I also have a ton of respect for anyone who can play every instrument on a track and sync it up well. Not as easy thing to do. I even really like Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast, which showed the band still had a sense of humor. It's just a really nice mellow listen, and it never fails at making me hungry for breakfast. So, good album all around! At least in my opinion.

[@redyyz4489]

Nice job Tim!

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I see what you did there...

[@redyyz4489]

@@JTCurtisMusic Hehehehe

[@dbowenalain]

Atom Heart Mother is Geesin and Pink Floyd's masterpiece. AHM suite will still be played by classical orchestras when most of the band's other albums will be forgotten.

[@lulubellepfboots]

Best pf album

[@R-MaxenceRepellin-M]

Non, le sens de la musicalité globale de l’album n’atteint pas la justesse de Dark Side ou bien Wish You Were Here

[@lulubellepfboots]

@@R-MaxenceRepellin-M I mean it's a pretty good piece of music and there is some really impressive stuff on there. Dark Side is basically tied with Atom Heart Mother for me.

[@stijnos244]

@@lulubellepfboots You speak french?

[@calebc5057]

@@stijnos244 there’s an option to translate it into your native language

[@lulubellepfboots]

@@stijnos244 no

[@ebbemllerfriisberg8808]

"immagine if they combined all of these elements" echoes when? :D

[@truthteller5426]

Will you ever do a ranking episode on pink Floyd like you did with the Beatles? Great video btw.

[@fabiorossicavalcanti8811]

Masterpiece. Hugely mistreated and underrated.

[@Dhips.]

I really like Atom Heart Mother. Even if it's closing track is a man making breakfast.

[@montyrose78]

My #1 PF album on almost any given day

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

Good review, the first side is like a long sleepy interstellar overdrive starting, exploring then back to the riff, was the introduction of brass Syds idea originally? I feel Syd was really ripped off as start of Time on Darkside just sounds like a refined copy of Syds clockwork room at end of Bike and Syds scribbled word's brought back for Time and same album had the sax and girl singing that Waters himself said he laughed at and basically condescended Syd for suggesting then up they pop on Floyds biggest selling album zero posthumous joint credit given which Time definitely warranted.

[@kayosiiii]

I think the title track is by far the strongest track on the album and something unlike anything they did before or since. The album is worth a listen for that reason alone. The band itself is not as tight or interesting as they would be on later long numbers but the overall effect is glorious. The sum being greater than the parts. The other side of the record is fine, though not particularly memorable.

[@Themrmigue]

hm i actually like the disjointed parts of atom heart, thought they were intentional haha

[@Spacemuis1981]

Really good album goldfish maybe spotted

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

There's a moment on "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" where our bumbling(maybe hungover?) hippie fumbles with some matches and lights the music. That's right, it seems that, in a couple of places, the music begins when the guy on the record lights a match.

[@joshua43214]

Meddle is my favorite PF album, until I listen to AHM - which is really my favorite PF album. But... Maybe it really is Meddle, or AHM, or Meddle... BTW, Alan's is actually a very good piece, and has some of the best examples of the band ever recorded.

[@shlomopolonsky]

Good analysis. The only thing - Geesin pronounced Gh, not J.

[@Z_E_B_O]

bought a german first release for 12€ from discogs and I have to say, having it on vinyl is really great. Even though my version is really noisy it kinda sounds like someone playing guitar next to a campfire, which I actually really enjoy. But tbh it really made me want to get a vinyl copy of meddle.

[@derekroberts6654]

Those 3 songs (“If”, “Summer ‘68” and “Fat Old Sun”) should’ve been on other albums. And that AHM suite, There’s a part in there that makes me feel i’m listening to “The Omen” soundtrack.

[@nyctonihilanth]

once you are done with the reviews for their albums are you going to make one video with all the parts into it? could be cool

[@alantattersall3190]

Saw them perform AHM live twice and it was awesome, 8000 stoned hippies all with their mouths open watching footsteps walk across the roof.

[@williamhenderson8371]

IMO this is the album where PF finally found their post-Barrett sound. Unfortunately, it would abruptly end with Meddle. After that, Waters would firmly take the creative helm. After which, the PF would make their most memorable albums and achieve superstardom. But for this album and the next, the band was truly a group of equals. The title song is a beautiful suite. A truly remarkable achievement and a gutsy experiment IMO. It never fails to delight. I’m not a big fan of If. It’s not bad. But it kind of reminds me of The Beatles Blackbird - just not as pretty. Summer of ‘68 is a stunner. Easily the best of the songs on side two. The way it builds and takes off kind of reminds me of The Nazz’s Open My Eyes. Fat Old Sun IMO would be better if it was shorter. The guitar solo at the end is the payoff but you have to wait so long to get to it. I like APB. PF has always been known for their mastery of sound effects and this is certainly evident on this track. The musical interludes are also delightful. Maybe not a proper song, but a fun listen nevertheless. BTW: I read an interview of the band somewhere that the title of the album came from a newspaper article about a pregnant woman receiving a pacemaker (or was it an artificial heart?). Either way, you see where the inspiration for the title came from.

[@jordil6152]

AHM was my favorite Pink Floyd album for awhile. Just heard the Quad mix today... WOW... I never noticed how compressed the original stereo mix was. It's like an entirely different album.

[@samuelluria4744]

Haven't heard of this new mix you're referring to...where do we find it?

[@jordil6152]

@@samuelluria4744 It's on the 1970 copy of The Early Years. If you're a fan of AHM, there's tons of jewels in that set. But to enjoy the Quad mix, you'll need surround sound DVD or Blu Ray.

[@samuelluria4744]

@@jordil6152 - Well, I know The Early Years is a box set, but not sure what you mean by the "1970 copy"...I guess I shouldn't waste your time, as I'm probably not buying that stuff anytime soon....

[@jordil6152]

@@samuelluria4744 There's the Early Years box set but the items in the box set can be purchased individually (broken up by year) as well. If you pick up the 1970 one you'll get all the Atom Heart Mother you can handle. The other volumes from this series are pretty great too. It's really worth looking into.

[@samuelluria4744]

@@jordil6152 - THANKS!!! I'm just on the fence about buying a replacement for my old CD Boombox, cuz who knows if these new formats will even be playable on whatever my old ass buys?😂🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cgerman]

Atom heart mother is an underrated album. I think it is essential Floyd. I would rate it more than you did.

[@paulnolan4971]

Funky Dung is good shit.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

In more ways than one!

[@julesotis13]

yall deserve goldfish thats for sure clealry . .. indubitably

[@user-fz4lx5le7f]

I’m gonna have to agree on the Spotted Fish part! I’m not a fan of this album, their is about 3 good songs on there but IMO it’s just not something I listen to very often like Dark Side

[@keithdonald6583]

There is a live version of Alans Psychedelic Breakfast on KZbin ...it’s very good

[@lilsigmamusic]

I’ve been looking for a remastered copy of ahm for years. Where can I find one? Amazon doesn’t even have it here in Canada. Edit: found a copy at a local record store. The album is spectacular!

[@babylemonade2868]

I’m huge Floyd fan and I didn’t know Dave played drums on fat old sun. Alan’s psychedelic breakfast would have been better without the sound effects,especially Alan scoffing his breakfast. Summer 68 is a great track too. Piper should have a goldfish

[@husq48]

Piper is a gold fish for sure!

[@PhilWare1]

Fat Old Sun, particularly the live version is fantastic. Check out the John Peel/BBC sessions.

[@DannyVoorthuis]

listening to your reviews, I feel your glass is always half empty.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Well like I said at the beginning, my standards are a lot higher only because some of the albums coming up are literally my favorite of all time. If I was comparing Atom Heart Mother to say an Olivia Rodrigo album, then yeah it would be a goldfish no question.

[@grassrootsflshp]

Top 5 PF album for me. The suite's orchestral elements esp the horn section interspersing into Rick's atmospheric keyboards always does it for me. The only weak point of the album is the obvious filler-cum-avant garde pretentious little piece APB. Overall, an underrated album that deserved to be in my personal music library.

[@schuszter4280]

I’m gonna give this album a spotted fish I think it’s better than Ummagumma, but I MUCH prefer Piper At The Gates Of Dawn and A Saucerful Of Secrets The best tracks are the 3 by Roger, David and Rick, all 3 are HUGE improvements from Ummagumma, Fat Old Sun is my favourite of the 3. The title track is alright (the live version without the orchestra may be the most boring Pink Floyd song ever) and Alan’s Psychedelic is pure filler IMO. Thankfully the next album is where we get out of the experimental post Syd era of 69-70 and we get in to the classic Roger Waters

[@mistouko]

Ummagumma... you had to be there. Not now, Joseph. Then.

[@briang1663]

Well we all have our own opinion and mine is different from yours. I became a Floyd fan in the early 80’s as I became a teenager. I never listened to AHM until about 2010. You may ask, “was he really a fan if he didn’t listen to AHM for close to 40 years”? Well AHM took over for meddle as my favorite. It is the album they discovered the formula. They seemed to perfect the signature sound with Meddle but AHM moved them forward and it’s easily my fav.

[@reidye]

The start of the pink Floyd sound

[@krucii826]

Marmalade, I like marmalade.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

To be fair, that is the most memorable line from the song!

[@LoyalColoradan]

Hey JT, how many Pink Floyd songs does Nick sing on?

[@JTCurtisMusic]

In their official canon (to the best of my knowledge) he only sang on two: CORPORAL CLEGG and ONE OF THESE DAYS (if you count that as a vocal). He also sang on SCREAM THY LAST SCREAM but it was never officially released on an album.

[@LoyalColoradan]

@@JTCurtisMusic Ok

[@Urlocallordandsavior]

What do you think of the band Pavement? I think they should've been on your 90s History of Rock video.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I don't know what the band Pavement has to do with Atom Heart Mother... Besides, I don't know much about them. Never came up.

[@LeeLucas]

No gold Fish from me either for this one and it's Pink Floyd meets The Salvation Army 😊😊😊.