ANIMALS

Animals is another transition album for Pink Floyd. Whereas Meddle marked the segue from the poppy fun of the early, Barret-influenced days to the mores erious 70s output, Animals marks the transition from Roger Waters' heavy input to his total control of the band. Lyrically, this is Pink Floyd's strongest concept, though Dark Side of the Moon has stronger individual songs. The concept draws its inspiration from George Orwell's Animal Farm. Its an entirely socio-political album about Pigs (corporate overlords and politcians), Dogs (the middle management lackeys of the Pigs), and Sheep (the "common" man who obeys the dogs and pigs). This stands as Floyd's most aggressive album; Meddle just barely bests in it heaviness.

Pigs on the Wing Part 1 starts off the album with a soft acoustic, but don't let that fool you. Apparently this and the later part 2 comprise a love song to Waters' wife in order to dillute the bleakness of the rest of the album. A nice piece, but it fails its mission to allieviate the depression.

Dogs is a Floyd classic, and Gilmour's solos throughout the song are awe-inspiring. However, the song drags between solos with Wright keyboards somehow being the only instrument playing yet you can barely hear it. Waters decided that Wright would be relegated to backup (he'd later sack the poor fellow). The lyrics are the darkest on the album.

Pigs (Three Different Ones) should in itself secure the album a place in some hall of fame. The lyrics come very close to unseating Waters' magnum opus, Time, and there are a lot more words to deal with in Pigs. Waters tears into politics, attacking censorship, corrupt CEOs, and the right-wing in general. Mason's weird percussion and Gilmour's riff hook you at the beginning and Gilmour's superb solo ends it beautifully.

Sheep is a frantic song and it's Floyd's most aggressive musically. Like Dogs, it starts and ends strong, but the middle drags as the band drops out for animal sounds.

The album closes with the second half of the love song, but there's no way to feel cheery after the barrage you've just received.

Animals is without a doubt Dave Gilmour's album musically. His domination of the album keeps Waters at bay from total control. His solos keep "Dogs" not only from being a big problem, they make the song enjoyable. Overall, this album is a Floyd classic, but it isn't quite a masterpiece.

Grade: B+