ANIMALS

I agree with most of these reviews that "Animals" is an undervalued masterpiece. The grim darkness of the lyrics is disturbing, even painful at times, and can be hard to take. I have asked myself more than once, "Why do I like this stuff?"

Who was born in a house full of pain, Who was trained not to spit in the fan, Who was told what do do by the man, Who was broken by trained personnel,

However, nobody can deny that Roger Waters was asking the right questions about greed, manipulation, abuse, lies, ignorance, and vicious self-centeredness. The lyrics are worth the price of admission, to be sure. What a great era of the concept album it was: Tommy, Thick as a Brick, the work of Yes. Animals more than holds its own in this company, and The Wall was right around the corner for Pink Floyd. Great days that have not been matched.

For me the true glory of this piece, however, is the operetic music, led by David Gilmour's positively brilliant guitar playing. There is more than a touch of Pete Towhnshend (the punchy "lead/rhythm" master), Jimi Hendrix (the king of roaring lead guitar and expert fretwork), or Steve Howe (the acoustic artist) in his work--and often better. The rich atmoshperics (including some early Andy Summer's tones, years before Summers made them), silky smooth fretwork, ringing acoustic guitar, iincindiary Stratocaster blasts, echoing call-and-response, and symphonic overtones are positively radiant. Gilmour pretty much led the way on Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall as well, but something special emerges from Animals. Gilmour is in charge of the music, with all due respect to Roger Waters. As a guitar player, I look up to this fine playing, and many another guitar player has recognized Gilmour as an overlooked master.

But all was not lost in Animals:

When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection, and great dedication, Master the art of karate, Lo, we shall rise up, And then we'll make the buggers eyes water...