ANIMALS

This could be said to be my favourite Pink Floyd album. The Orwellian concept behind it is very interesting, and a great starting-off point to write a masterpiece. The guitars in 'Animals' really shine through, more so then on any other Pink Floyd record. The album consists of three epics, and an acoustic piece split into two parts. The structure of the album really adds to it's togetherness. After a pleasant acoustic section, the longest epic 'Dogs' sets in, which is generally a depressing piece, but very well done. Theres some very nice soloing from David Gilmour in this piece, and the lyrics (which tell of the plight of the dog, who is always trying to go through life aggressively and claw his way to the top) are some of the most poignant Pink Floyd's ever done.

The album's concept revolves around three animals (Dogs, Pigs and Sheep) which are used as character stocks used to describe different types of people in the world. There are the Dogs, aggressive and paranoid. There are also the Pigs, who are manipulative and intelligent, and finally the Sheep, who are the 'followers' and docile ones. While it borrows alot from Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' the concept is expanded to a great musical depth, and sparks an originality of it's own.

Next, after 'Dogs' is 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' which is actually the only song on the album which was written specificially for the album. The other tracks were made out of existing material that hadn't been used yet. Of the three epics, 'Pigs' stands as being my least enjoyed. I'm not quite sure, but I think it might be the vocal delivery by Roger Waters, which I'm not really a fan of.

Next is 'Sheep,' which is my favourite piece on the album. The production of the song is very cool (having the sustained vocal notes changing into electronic noise etc) despite a rather weak middle part, the end more than makes up for it in it's sheer intensity. There is a great Stratocaster(?) sound in the end, as the album reaches it's pinnacle climax.

As the album ends, the listener is treated to a recap of the acoustic 'Pigs On The Wing' which is more or less identical to the first part. This is a really fantastic album, and my most listened-to release of Pink Floyd. Total brilliance!

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