The slow build-up from the nothingness that kicks the section off foreshadows what Pink Floyd would later do on the intro to The Dark Side of the Moon, “Speak to Me.” Section One of “Atom Heart Mother,” entitled “Father’s Shout,” builds from a brooding synth, as horns battle back and forth.
The opera-like rollercoaster of emotions in “Atom Heart Mother” reflected the band’s involvement in a number of film soundtracks. Because none of the band members could read or write music, Pink Floyd brought composer Ron Geesin on to score the six-part suite, “Atom Heart Mother.” Together, Geesin and the band laid the foundation for what Pink Floyd was to become in the next 20 years. Inspired by outtakes left over from their gig recording the soundtrack for the film “Zabriskie Point,” the members of Pink Floyd referred to “Atom Heart Mother” as “the theme for an imaginary western.” Its country-like riff, played on the guitar and horns, appears frequently throughout the piece.īut upon their arrival at Abbey Road, the members of Pink Floyd soon realized that their lengthy song was missing one dramatic element: a full orchestra and choir. The men of Pink Floyd began recording side one of Atom Heart Mother - which consisted of the lone, 23-minute long, multi-part title track, “Atom Heart Mother” - at Abbey Road Studios in March 1970. The next three songs on the record were respectively written by Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and David Gilmour, while the fifth and final song on the album, “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast,” was also written by all of Pink Floyd’s members. Starting with the first song and title track, “Atom Heart Mother” was a joint effort with writing credits from all band members.
The composition of the album signifies the progression of the old Pink Floyd to the new. With Barrett out of the picture, the remaining members of Pink Floyd were left to carve their own musical styles into the band. Written before any of Pink Floyd’s biggest albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and The Wall (1982), Atom Heart Mother was the start to the end of the band’s heavily improvised string of compositions - a remnant from the departure of founding member, Syd Barrett, due to his struggles with drug abuse. When Atom Heart Mother landed on the desk of LG Wood, the director of EMI’s record division, the only thing he could bring himself to say about the untitled, band-less album cover filled with black and white cows was, “Ah, friesians.” The album reached No.1 on the UK’s charts three weeks later - the first time ever for a Pink Floyd album.
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