ANIMALS

This is the album that really got me into Pink Floyd. My very first listen to Dogs made me realize that there must be a lot of Pink Floyd I hadn't heard yet that I was missing. 30 years later this is the Pink Floyd album I have listened to the most in it's entirety.

It was the heaviest album they ever recorded to date when it was released in 1977. Kind of makes me chuckle. After all Pink Floyd is generally quite mellow most the time. This album is as intense as the average Prog album. Maybe a bit angrier. Of course the concept and theme of the album is based off of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. Lots of axes to grind with music critics and the music industry as far as lyrics go on this album.

Like it's predecessor Wish You Were Here there is a lot to like on this album if you are a fan of Jazz Fusion. And like it's predecessor it is very symphonic sounding at the same time. In fact much of this album was recorded just before, during, and re-recorded after that album. Much of it leftover material being presented differently. Gone are the saxophones of Dick Parry who played on the previous two albums but the Jazz Fusion sounds are as strong as ever.

Dogs is one of my all time favorite epics and just one of my favorite songs of all time. Probably listened to it hundreds of times by now. What would Porcupine Tree sound like without this song? I feel like dozens of Porcupine Tree songs have this song's influence written all over.

Pigs is angry, funny, and hilarious in just about any way you can interpret it. The guitar riffs sound like they are speaking and have a funky sound as well as intensity. Hypnotic keyboards dominate the background.

Sheep is full of thunderous Jazz Fusion sounds and even the Doctor Who theme song(hidden in 3-4 other Pink Floyd songs)

This is an essential album for every Prog Rock collection. Overlooked by too many other Pink Floyd albums. Try getting a hold of the remix version that sounds even better.