ANIMALS

As a teenager when this album came out I remember seeing ads on TV promoting the album. When's the last time, or even first time you can say that about a prog band, especially during the late 70's? I'm not the biggest Floyd fan, but this has been and always will be my favorite Pink Floyd album. The main reason why I like this one so much is the simple fact that it's not about Syd Barret and his descention into madness. And it also carries some of my favorite lyrics by Waters. It's not a perfect album by any means. Rating each song, 'Pigs On A Wing' parts 1 & 2 are standard acoustic songs but adding them to the album whole they're essential to the theme. This album scared me when I listened to it back in the day, with it's plodding and depressive nature of man and the creatures we're compared to. Nowadays, listening to it, I find parts like the center section of 'Dogs' and the Bon Jovi/Peter Frampton voice manipulation device on 'Pigs' more padding then needed. I do think Gilmour's guitar is the star of the show with Water's bass slipping to fourth string behind Wright's often chilly keyboards and Mason's tight and airy drumming. But then comes 'Sheep'. My all-time favorite Floyd song and the most upbeat rockin tune on the album. Wright's jazzy-style piano opens up the song and then Water's and crew jet-propel in and we're going full throtle for most of the way. Their most unique song ever! Dark Side Of The Moon may be their magnum opus and note-for-note perfect album, but I feel this is their most down-to- earth record. 4.5 stars! And as a side note, if you're a fan of Porcupine Tree and want to know why they're compared to Pink Floyd, just play 'Dogs'.