ANIMALS

Pink Floyd

Psychedelic/Space Rock

4.53 | 4149 ratings

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East of Lyra

What would Pink Floyd's response be after two masterpieces?

Animals was the answer. Released in 1977, on the surface it seems vastly different to it's predecessors The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. The growing influence of Roger Waters is starting to show on this album, which became even more of a factor with the following albums; The Wall and the Final Cut.

Thus, Animals is a vital bridge between the style of Dark Side and WYWH, where all the members of Pink Floyd were still a unified and cohesive band, and the later Waters-driven The Wall and The Final Cut, in which the unity was no longer there - Waters' influence taking over completely. Animals was in a sense, the turning point.

But does it suffer musically? The answer in my opinion, is a firm no. There are still great contributions by all members. Gilmour's guitar work on the epic track 'Dogs' is brilliant, as is his bass guitar work on 'Sheep' and 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)'. Waters had become disinterested in his bass duties, leaving Gilmour to fill in on those two tracks. Yet lyrically he is in top form; his lyrics have now become scathing attacks on capitalism and society. Richard Wright is also impressive, particularly on 'Sheep'.

The concept is based on George Orwell's book Animal Farm, with themes of social stratification and different animals representing the classes. This becomes apparent after hearing the lyrics, which are among Waters' best. There is always a feeling of underlying anger and bitterness at the establisment and society. I think that Pink Floyd executed the concept well, and overall it works.

I was torn between four and five stars for this review. But after listening to it many times, I really am convinced that this is a masterpiece, and possibly the last great Pink Floyd album.

East of Lyra | 5/5 | 2006-12-8

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