PINK FLOYD: 'ANIMALS' - The Last Truly Great Album?

[@et2petty]

Thanks and Kind regards from Scott Rowland. I saw the Animals tour in Houston Tx. my hometown. My sister's boyfriend at the time, Randy, worked for the local promoter of shows, and he supervised the hiring of extra stage hands at shows, should the band need extra hands. I was 17 and Randy got me admitted to the outdoor stadium, about 3 hours before the show. I was the only person sitting in front of the stage on the grass, as Pink Floyd did their soundcheck. They played part of Pigs on the Wing, and about the last 8 minutes of Sheep. When the soundcheck ended, I stood up and held up a lighter, as a joke. Nick Mason pointed at me, smiling. Rick with a friend and Nick by himself, came out and walked around the running track and I walked up and quietly said hello and met them one at a time. Rick was quiet, and Nick was friendly, and humorous.

[@johnxgalt8312]

I never get tired of listening to Animals, I think the wall is masterpiece. But I like Animals more you don't hear one song played on the radio off the animals album. Those days are long gone. I been listening to this album for 40 years.

[@WhoisJohnGalt402]

The radio has alway been a waste a time !

[@MrJarkeveld]

The Wall is a separate entity to me...a one off....a masterpiece as mentioned But Animals is the perfect Pink Floyd album...it has the DNA from the earlier albums but with sheer visceral elements that were to follow This album has the best qualities of all the band..as a band

[@FredBloggs919]

If Waters is the razor blade, Gilmour is the shaving cream!

[@johnbell1578]

“It’s that last example of that fusion between conceptual brilliance and musical grace.” Bloody well put.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you.

[@b2tall239]

As great as DSOTM, WYWH, and "The Wall" are, I don't think I ever need to hear them again. I played the crap out of those albums as a teen and younger man....and heard their tracks countless times on the radio....and as a result I'm pretty sick of them. The same can't be said about "Animals". I don't think I'll ever get tired of it and I consider it to be Pink Floyd's best work. Thanks, Barry.

[@classicalbum]

I agree, it is up there

[@donyoung7874]

I've gotten that way with most classic rock. Except for Steely Dan. They still sound fresh and interesting to me. I somehow did not buy Animals back in the 70's and only just bought the cd a couple of months ago. I like it a lot but WYWH is still my favorite and the one I tend play most from the Floyd.

[@kerrymould1698]

@@donyoung7874 steely dan got me through lockdown .

[@1150gs1]

Agree whole heartedly with all above. The last album with real atmosphere IMHO.

[@garyh.238]

I love "Animals". Always have, since I discovered the entire album being played on the late night pirate Radio Caroline airwaves in London in the spring of 1978. I find it to be the perfect melding of Rogers acerbic wit and Gilmour's melodic guitar work. Sealing the deal was the fact that I studied Orwell's book that same year - the perfect companion piece.

[@thatonedude1003]

As I have grown older, I have come to fall in love with “Animals”, and it is my favorite album by Pink Floyd by far at this point. The guitar solo by Gilmour at 5:00 or so is enough to solidify “Dogs” as one of the greatest tunes ever recorded to wax.

[@danfromnewwie]

Their album that I always go to first.Waters lyrics are genius and like most are so relevant today,and always will be.Gilmour's playing is,as you say Barry,simply sublime.His finest work IMHO.Great video,keep them coming.👍

[@classicalbum]

Thank you... that's the plan

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

Would explain a lot if Waters was born awake and Gilmour was born woke

[@eatmysteel]

Animals is my favorite album, full stop. Ever since being engulfed by the soundscapes of Dogs in my teens spanning to my current days of fatherhood, Gilmour's guitars and Rick Wright's keyboards never fail to transport me to another dimension. This album still gives me chills from time to time, always surprised to find the hairs on my arms still able to raise from a piece of art that I have experienced at least a hundred times. This album is truly timeless

[@mcds54]

Saw them live in concert during this tour..... unforgettable!

[@martykehoe8510]

By FAR my favorite Floyd album. I think you are spot on with describing it along with everything going on with them at that time. I do believe The Wall is a great album, though. Another underrated gem is Obscured By Clouds.

[@classicalbum]

I agree.

[@patrick3926]

Me as well 🎉

[@crusheverything4449]

@martykehoe8510 - Couldn’t have said it better myself. 🤘🏼

[@rft2001]

Yes, Obscured By Clouds, Meddle and More have grown to be my favorite Pink Floyd albums along with Animals.

[@robm9999]

Every time I play Animals, it captivates me and always holds my interest intensely!! As many times as I have listened to it, I always hear something for the first time and on that level it feels like an album I continue to learn, grow from, and am impacted by, probably more-so than the rest of their catalogue. Absolutely, it truly is a Great album indeed!!

[@mvm5375]

A fantastic examination of a most important album. When I was a child in the early eighties. The first available Floyd album was The Wall and Umma Gumma. I was three when I began my journey. From there in time I reached them all. The Wall is a go to rainy day record for me. I cherish it for all the story telling into my imagination. An amazing headphone trip. A mastery for it’s time production wise. Animals is absolutely brilliant and one of my all time go to albums. The older I have become the more I understand it’s message. The sound scapes and concepts merge together in a fashion of complete originality. It’s a record like many other Floyd treasures that you play through completely. I love this album. As usual this channel delivers the best reviews I have ever seen out of many and I am grateful to its creator for delivering first class reviews that are experienced and not just loosely compiled thoughts. Thank you for a great break in this day to wisely share a most important record. ❤️

[@classicalbum]

Thank you for your kind words. Do consider sharing and liking thev video as it all helps

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

Great analysis of my favourite Floyd album. Purely poetic. Well done.

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

"ANIMALS" has been my favorite Pink Floyd album since 1977. DOGS , PIGS (Three Different Ones) and SHEEP are true all time favorites of mine. And the lot of them together, imo, really defines what's best, most involving & intensely compelling about Pink Floyd. ANIMALS (1977) CBS, inc. is a stone classic, top to bottom. Also, this is my very favorite PF *album cover* as well. Love it when great cover art perfectly matches the content within. Although the 1970s provides so many, "Animals" is one of the finest examples of that involving, important aesthetic of sound and vision (nod to my main man, DB). In any case, as far as im concerned, the coolest and most visceral 'badass' Floyd is found here with 1977's brooding and magnificent ANIMALS! side note: I truly love *animals* in general, so the double meaning lyrics do affect me in cerebral and emotional ways as well. The epic "dragged down by the stone!" refrain most especially. 🐖 🐶 🐑 extra ROCK NOTES: I was 11 years of age when I very happily bought this LP brand new. Started very young with music, so I was already a solid 4 years into loving rock 'n roll and buying albums with passionate fervor. Still, at that age, killer Waters lines like "YOU...FUCKED-up OLD hag!" from Pigs (3DO) was surprising & incorrigibly welcomed. Heh! You know, you'd sort of anticipate that one, wouldnt you. - kinda like patiently waiting for little stabs of profanity in other classic songs of the era (eg, "Ahhh, who the fuck are you?!?" or even "..any of that funky shit goin' down in the city") - it was a more innocent time, so these profane naughty little moments would bring gleeful reaction, like you were getting away with something slightly illegal. But I always liked the other more interesting lines in "Pigs" such ss "you radiate cold shards of broken glass" ...and the "house-proud-town-mouse" bit as well. At that age, I didnt know what the hell the latter exactly was, but it it sounded cool. *Devastating solos in that song from Dave G. too! 🔥 ---> Finally, I want to say, that for me, one of Pink Floyd's most effective "wow" moments (within the always fascinating, headphones-ready drug culture of the 70s) is the powerful and stunning moment in *SHEEP* where Roger's sustained wailing voice on the last syllable (" ...your time in the grass land awayyyyyyyyyyy") merges perfectly with Richard Wright's exact note blending synth, before crashing down into Waters' manical, rabid-wolf laughter! An absolutely brilliant moment on an absolutely brilliant album. Marc ⚡ p.s. Nice Regatta de Blanc T!

[@mrpink8]

YES! It's my favourite. It's a complete album, beginning, middle, and end, doesn't need anything else, it's all there.

[@johnmontgomery4640]

Gilmour's solo at the end of Pigs (three Different Ones ) is the definition of feel - when you can communicate for so long with 2 notes - I would like to hear what he put on tape after it fades out.

[@vicprovost2561]

I saw Animals in the old Boston Garden in 1977, Gilmour was beyond belief that night, you can hear it on You Tube. We were next to the mixing board, dead center on the floor and right at the audio focus for the 5 channel sound system. They always had the best audio but outdid themselves there, with guitar and keyboards coming at you from all directions and in incredible sequences. Floyd was the best band I ever saw (best sound, lights and special effects) and I saw 100s of them. 🎵

[@Sinnsonido]

For all intents and purposes, _Animals_ was the Roger & Dave show, and for perhaps the very last time this musical tug of war brought out the very best in the both of them. For me personally, it's the last album that truly deserves to be called a Pink Floyd record. _The Wall_ was a brilliant production and a fun record, but it was offered to the band as a demo...as a _choice_ from Roger. In an alternate universe, if the band had chosen _Pros and Cons_ instead, it's almost guaranteed that Roger would have recorded _The Wall_ as a solo album. And most of the rest that followed...is not even a blip on my radar anymore, and I sat through all of it.

[@stephanegosselin2861]

Pink Floyd’s masterpieces are Meddle, DSOTM, Wish you where here & Animals and I will include the Piper at the gates of dawn as one their best early albums. When Animals came out the opinions where quite mix. Nowadays without a doubt it is a masterpiece.

[@classicalbum]

I agree

[@BrianEppMusic]

yep. i agree as well.

[@oddolavssn8343]

David Gilmours guitars AND singing on Dogs is i.m.o. some of the best music ever coming from Pink Floyd. Absolutely sublime. You can tell that David Gilmour not only sings Rogers lyrics, but David also succeeds in getting out the meaning and feelings of Rogers words! And Davids guitars on Dogs are ALSO highlighting the moods, feelings and lyrics on this song. Dogs might be the best Gilmour/Waters song ever, it's got such a nerve!

[@classicalbum]

Totally agree

[@kippwieland6464]

I was hooked as soon as I stuck this album on the turntable in. ....maybe 1978. I wore out that copy and purchased a new one before I left for Art School in 1983.

[@Grimmthrydd]

Love this album. Feel like this is Water's first solo album, with some stellar playing by Gilmour.

[@mickb44]

my fav floyd album.yes i think you can say its their masterpiece, the wall might of been had it of been a single album release, but Animals is indeed my fav album of all time,nice one Barry

[@classicalbum]

Thank you

[@morrisanderson3180]

agree totally. I think that the wall is a load of tosh IMO love gilmour's guitar especially on SHEEP.

[@covalskya4331]

100% agree. Never liked the wall or anything after. The magic stops with animals.

[@TheSpoonwood]

I love this record. . . Probably the most listened to ... parts of "Meddle" are beautifully rendered .

[@donyoung7874]

Meddle's a really good album.

[@ThatDudeLarzFoo-ah]

My favorite album of all time. Period. I was already a Pink Floyd fan but for whatever reason, I was late on the Animals train and I can still remember the feeling of disbelief / pure Joy when I first heard it and realized I was getting that dopaminergic hit you get when you’re getting to experience some thing you had believed was impossible to ever experience, and I sat in my VW Passat wagon and listened to it 3 times in a row and ended up draining my battery up on Mt. Tabor in Portland, Or. Almost 20 years ago now, but still a classic/epic night for me personally. Thanks for the content and extra tid bits of behind the scenes info ❤️🎼🔥🦾

[@dustyjoe71]

It is tragic that no official recording of the 1977 'In The Flesh' tour exists. We have to conform to scratchy bootlegs.

[@JohnnyPaton]

There's no genuine reason why there couldn't have been an official "In the Flesh" live album released in 1978. Such a shame.

[@AbigailJrney-1]

I own both the 2011 remaster, and the 2018 remixed version. I love the remixed version the most. It sounds fantastic. Is cleaner and clearer, and the drums sound much better and stronger.

[@dayvid8820]

Great licks, great lyrics, killer album.

[@dansta7288]

Animals has always been my favourite Pink Floyd album

[@driverbwm]

I first heard Animals when my father found an 8 Track tape copy on the side of the road. Someone had thrown it out because the player ate a little of it. He repaired it and I fell in love with it. The album is one of two favorites, “Wish” being the other. To this day, I still can't seem to pick a favorite. The 8 Track is long gone, and my Vinyl has been very hard played and life goes on, but I will never tire of this album, nor the band. Thanks for your stellar work, I always enjoy your videos.

[@paulteller8383]

that 8 track had that wonderful connector by Snowy White on pigs on the wing parts 1&2 due to the configuration of the 8 track.

[@rickhockersmith2976]

Totally agree! But I am also very partial to most songs / albums from that year = 1977! It was the year I went from high school to college, and every rich kid had a kick-ass stereo and a stack of albums to play on it! "Party Favors" of the time, PLUS headphones, made the experience of 'dropping the needle on some vinyl' a whole other TRIP!

[@jdmresearch]

I don't know if the 'last' but it was underrated for years, and it is a masterpiece.

[@andymacdonald7126]

My favourite Floyd album!

[@234cheech]

NOT IN MY EYES MATE WTF

[@michaelme1548]

Really? I was too young when it first came out to know how popular it was but less than ten years later it was considered one of the best in the circles I ran in. It wasn’t my cup of tea but it was extremely popular.

[@montyernst2617]

Thanks for covering this album. It's grown on me over the years, and I love the bite and bile of the lyrics and the guitar work. The ending of "Pigs (Three Different Ones") has to be the most angry, snarly, and rage-filled guitar solo ever. It is truly perfection. (And truth be told, Gilmour is better on bass here than Waters could ever be.)

[@Pedro2706]

" Gilmour is better on bass here than Waters could ever be"....ouch!!!!!!

[@ReiCow]

It is my favourite Floyd album - absolutely love it. Moo

[@cbennet1]

Spot on! I’ve always felt that The Wall was overrated which for me means Animals IS the last great PF album.

[@Steve-jl8pq]

Animals and wywh are my all time favourite Pink Floyd albums Dogs is David Gilmours finest guitar playing

[@kinggizzard8499]

A great commentary on this extraordinary album. I believe this was their first recording at their new studio. The mix and production style was totally different to anything they produced before or since. It had a kind of choked, muted quality to some elements that lent itself to the dark subject matter. I do feel that the remix went a bit too far with the 'sparkle' although it's very nice to hear some of the instruments brought forward, especially Rick's playing. Although I am still trying to come to terms with the mixing gaff which can be heard on the first crash cymbal strike on Sheep, where the volume is suddenly yanked down. The treatment needed more attention to detail and the essence of the original IMO

[@bonesjackson81]

Its the Floyd album that grows on you and no doubt makes it into top 3 Floyd albums. Its my 2nd favorite behind Meddle. It didn't have a song for radio perhaps kept it from the Floyd lore albums. All be damned tho it's a masterpiece. I agree, The Wall has some amazing moments and songs but a lot of junk too imo. Animals is wall to wall fantastic.

[@douglasstruthers8307]

I took until 2012 for me to "get into" Pink Floyd's ANIMALS album. Better late than never! It has, ever-since, been up there with DARK SIDE OF THE MOON as my favourite Pink Floyd albums. "Pigs" & "Dogs" were the highlights on the US + THEM tour by Roger Waters a few years ago. I feel that it has stood the test of time.

[@michaelme1548]

I heard a lot of Pink Floyd because I had a friend in college that was a big fan. He was also big on Star Trek and James Bond. I like numerous songs and the Dark Side of the Moon album. Animals was his favorite.

[@bastidface]

"Fusion between conceptual brilliance and musical grace." Exactly! And even though Waters gets almost full writing credits for the songs on "Animals," it sounds more like a Pink Floyd album than either "The Wall" or the "Final Cut." As you astutely point out, with all of it's musical charm, "The Division Bell" lacks Waters' lyrical edge. What a shame that lawyers and egos had to get in the way of what could have been a long run of more brilliant Pink Floyd albums.

[@baruyero]

I don’t agree since I believe the wall is a masterpiece but it’s always great to hear your thoughts . thanks

[@mellotronin54]

My favourite Pink Floyd album.

[@MudFlanagan]

Totally agree. my fav Floyd album. The one I play the most and never tire of. The last masterpiece. Thank you.

[@classicalbum]

My pleasure

[@johnbell1578]

“[Sheep] … was put out to graze.” Damn it Barry

[@classicalbum]

I know... too many animal puns.

[@troyundroy1]

I’m not an avid Pink Floyd listener, but I love Animals. Just mesmerising from start to finish

[@scottoz7891]

You NAILED it about this album at the end of this good video..100 %

[@nevillethompson944]

I first came into contact with Animals about 30 years ago, when someone i knew lent me an original vinyl copy and was hooked ever since. Especially the track Dogs (of course!) with its synth middle section, and Gilmour's excellent guitar work. I think the recent remix version surely brought out the best of the other tracks, but the jury's still out (I guess) with Pigs on the Wing. Keep up the good work, Barry, I enjoy your videos...

[@classicalbum]

Thank you... do like and share if you can

[@markrainsford9480]

The Water's edge......very nice.

[@paulcassidy8130]

Despite the fact that I have no sympathy with the Waters' worldview as expressed on this album, I still love it and rate it equally with WYWH as the peak of PF. I've been off The Wall for 30 years but am very much enjoying the very deep dive into it on the Virgin Rock channel - worth exploring if you haven't so far.

[@raymondmitchell7582]

Great Video, In my opinion, ' Animals ' is 'THE ' Best Pink Floyd album. Yes we have the Behemoth ' Dark Side Of The Moon ' one of the best selling albums of all time, and the sublime ' Wish You Were Here ' not to mention ' The Wall ' but Animals has teeth and it Barks (No pun intended) with Water's Scathing Venomous lyrics, and with what I consider to be Gilmour's best guitar work of Floyd album. Yes Animals is definitely the last truly great Pink Floyd album, and more so their best piece of work.

[@RUDI-UK]

I love it's fire and Gilmour's work is simply breath taking on Dogs

[@marcrehula]

Animals was my first Pink Floyd album. I was 15 and it was one of the first albums that I embedded into my soul. (That and Hemispheres!) I always come back to it.

[@alansmith8195]

Yep, with you all the way 👍

[@PeKe999]

It's in my top 3 PF albums: 1. Meddle 2. Atom Heart Mother 3. Animals.

[@eddiemethot8925]

I've always liked Animals,the only album that falls short is The Final Cut,in my opinion.

[@rael3109]

The best tour for sure. A live album from that tour would be great.

[@padraigcollins6525]

Animals is my favourite Pink Floyd album, and I think the remix makes it a masterpiece. My interest in the album was renewed when Suede blatantly (and brilliantly) ripped off the guitar solo from Sheep and nobody seemed to notice.

[@stephanerichard6267]

might be my favorite Pink Floyd album.

[@andrewmacdonald3667]

There’s a lot of fascinating Floyd content in the latest doco about Hipgnosis - ‘Squaring the Circle’.

[@mr.bloodvessel260]

Interestingly at the time most fans gave it a lukewarm reception, now it’s most fan’s favorite of their vast catalog!

[@classicalbum]

Interesting!

[@ranica47]

My favourite Floyd album, I've never tired of it.

[@greensombrero3641]

Animals - my personal favorite and one of the greatest of all time. It's PF's best.

[@ivozanette7010]

Thought Animals was a gem when I first heard it in '77

[@jamesnaylor7322]

Briliant review as always,i'm fortunate to have nearly every live show from the in the flesh tour,30+ versions of Animals (CD/Vinyl/8 track) the britanania row demos and Obviously the 2018 remix,what i'm trying to say is i can't get eneough of this album,why they couldn't clean the the bootlegs of oakland coliseum,pavillion de paris and the demos of 76 to add to the 2022 release is beyond me. I would much rather have a animals box set than the later years set!

[@MARIO-uf1no]

Animals is a desert island release for me. It still play it often. Gilmour is at his finest and Waters lyrics are so intense. The production is dry and sparse, too. It lacks that classic "radio" song, though. I've heard Pigs (3 Different Ones) on late night Classic Rock stations, but due to the length of the cuts on Animals it never had the following it deserved.

[@FredBloggs919]

Meddle > Dark Side of the Moon > Wish You Were Here > Animals > The Wall … What an incredible run!!

[@classicalbum]

Agree

[@FredBloggs919]

@@classicalbum can you think of a better run?

[@jtt8886]

​@@FredBloggs919Led Zep I through Physical Graffiti is pretty amazing.

[@jtmichaelson]

Guess I'm a bigger fan than most. Animals is hardly the last "Truly" great Floyd album. It's the last group project that works on Dark Side / Wish You Were levels, but not even close to last. Division Bell is a masterpiece in its own right. Momentary Lapse is it's own classic moment, Final Cut is basically listenable garbage and The Wall is a bloated wreck with some of the greatest classics worthy of their truly greatest (single released) album. Animals is, like Division Bell, it's own masterpiece with its own merits in its own league. It's certainly one of the best, but certainly not the last.

[@JohnnyPaton]

My favourite Floyd album. It’s not their best but it’s the most interesting and it’s the last great Floyd album simply by dint of the fact it was a band effort led by Waters. No additional musicians or writers. Just plain Pink Floyd and it’s brilliant for that.

[@musicminute2004]

Indeed their best

[@put0_el_quelee]

The world needs an official live release of this album

[@marshallgeorge3819]

Best thing you can get is the bootleg show from Oakland 1977. The sound is very good.

[@googoogjoobgoogoogjoob]

Wish You Were Here is the last great PF album. The Wall had a few moments. I think Animals is for the die hard fans.

[@bardsimpson1404]

This may not have been as popular as Dsotm, but its my personal favorite. I think this album influenced MANY bands that didnt discover pf, until waters was gone. Possibly their "heaviest" album?

[@pmoran7971]

When this album was released I instantly went out and bought it and listened to it constantly as I recovered on the south coast from my fathers death, over the years and looking back at this time in my life, and reflecting on this album my conclusion was it was a bloated work, stuffed with anger and vitriol reflecting the relationship between Waters and Gilmour, and in the immortal words from the film 'Amadeus', the album suffered from 'too many notes' and many of these notes caused me claustrophobia because they were relentness in their voracity, I just could not breath as I sucked the music in, and yes The Wall was not perfect, two thirds of the output should be labelled as 'extremely average' but the other third is 'magical' I never felt this way about 'Animals' I always felt Rogers was a much better composer than Gilmour but he certainly had his moments and I will fondly remember 'Wish you were here' for eternity and I even love Ummaguma, however Dark side of the moon stays in the cupboard and has done for many years!

[@Patrick-sh9tt]

While the artwork and music on The Wall was intended to be iconic, I can’t help but feel that this album cover and the overall tone and feel of the music really captured the true essence of Pink Floyd, making it, arguably, far more iconic and timeless with it’s mesmerising depiction of the London Skyline, the flying pig etc. The Wall, definitely has the stronger individual songs, the great anthems, but Animals probably pips it in terms of that overall feel, where one truly feels like they’ve gone through an `experience’ by the end of the last song with the artwork feeding into it all throughout. An album that you need to decide to make time for, a time, a place, a mood, which sets it apart as a prog masterpiece.

[@crusheverything4449]

Absolutely. To this day, I don’t just throw Animals on; it’s an event whenever I play it. A true masterpiece in every sense.

[@kadelbach63]

Animals has always been my favorite Pink Floyd album. The whole piece just works and moves so well. Perhaps it’s just because it was their most recently released album when I regularly started buying records around 77-78. I really love the lyric writing. Musically and lyrically, there’s an edgy punk snarl and also a bit of funk to it. I did not enjoy the remix. Perhaps I’ll give it another chance at some point. Really enjoyed your appraisal. Keep up the good work.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you

[@filosphere]

Totally agree with you. All that you said in this video is exaactly my point of view, including about the other albums.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you.

[@Anybloke]

It's way better than The Wall, The Final Cut, and A Momentary Lapse Of Reason but it's not a patch on The Division Bell.

[@misterjones2u]

It was my first Floyd album, I thik I had heard Dark Side once, but this one I bought and played to death. Coming back to it years later I think it is one of my favourites, the anger and bile is there. Dogs, Sheep, Pigs, genious.

[@gavinsmith9016]

I have always preferred Animals over the The Wall. It's a wonderful album and I agree, Pink Floyd's last great album. I also welcomed the recent remix release as for me, as I have got older, I have developed some hearing loss, so the remix is easier to hear for me - Like windolene on a dirty window 🙂 I agree that some extra goodies would have been great, especially a live set of that tour.

[@Harromuso]

I agree wholeheartedly

[@politicalGRAFFITI]

I think your analysis was spot on. Your put into words what I have felt.

[@davehandelman2832]

I just want you to talk about pink Floyd all day.....

[@MrButtonpresser]

Animals. For me it’s outstanding work. It conjures up memories of high school. Skipping maths class to drink a friends Dad’s beer, listen to Animals and be back in time for lunch break! 1977 was a high water mark for so much music.

[@Nazz1967]

Saw this album in a record shop in 1988 , first listen and I was hooked . I was 15 at the time .

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Wait a second - I know you referred to it as "patchy," but Side 3 of The Wall has "Hey You," "Nobody Home" and "Comfortably Numb." Any one of those songs would have been the best song on any album of theirs pre-Meddle. Say what you want about The Wall, but each song served a purpose. In "Animals" parlance, some songs were definitely more equal than others, but Waters even described a song like "Bring The Boys Back Home" as THE KEY song on the entire album. It's no great shakes compared with the 3 I mentioned, but it serves a purpose. It's tough to record a great double album. A little patchy side 3 and losing interest by side 4 could be used to describe Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway," too, I guess. But weird as it is, The Lamb is a masterpiece on a number of different levels. Like The Wall, taken as a whole, it's an incredibly impressive piece of work. I'm sure you've done videos on your favorite double albums. But The Wall is the greatest dramatic work in rock and roll history. I mean, I agree that nothing afterwards comes close to being a great Pink Floyd album, but The Wall

[@rixvspinner]

Animals has been my fav Pink Floyd album since it came out. Otherwise, Meddle and Dark Side. It's a harder edged Floyd record, perhaps less commercial than some previous releases. It's a darker record than even the Wall I think, which is a good thing where Floyd's talent really shines.I could see them being influenced by The Damned and other punk and British post punk bands. For example, The Stranglers quite likely were an influence on Pink Floyd, visa versa. I agree, any Floyd released that came after it, was not as good as Animals. To many Floyd fans, Animals is considered their best album other than Meddle and Dark Side.

[@erikleenhouts834]

I totally agree 👍

[@shanewilson199]

I was fascinated by the cover of this album when I was a young fella living in Brisbane, Australia. I can remember the first time I saw it on my way to Victoria station… it was one of those moments that I’ll always remember from my first of 6 years in England. That was 98. Fast forward to 05. The school I was working at had a lot of links with companies and one was Barclays. They invited the staff to a 5k corporate run at battersea park. After the run there was a heap of food. It was just before summer holidays, a beautiful afternoon. It was a real buzz being up close to it. That was the day before the bombings….

[@classicalbum]

It is a great cover.. iconic

[@jdmresearch]

I was fascinated by it as well. When I went to London for the first time a few years ago, my first destination (before all the palaces nonsense) was the Battersea Power Station. I'm glad it's still there, although I was a bit shocked it's now a mall. I thought it was ironic given the themes included in Animals. Still, stunning.

[@shanewilson199]

@@jdmresearch it’s a mall? Bloody hell! Well, at least it’s still standing. It’s funny what things stick in your head from your younger years. I used to love watching the ashes, and used to love all the English grounds, without knowing where they were. One day I was catching a 36 or a 136 from Lewisham and came across the oval (this was 1998, so not the renovated oval). Used to love the frames for the gas towers, and it was a bit of a battersea power station moment, not expecting it and there is was… it was a kick.

[@RecliningFurniture]

Well, the Last Great Album award is between this and The Wall, and I tend to go for Animals for one simple reason: it's the last album where PF's sound continued to develop. The Wall, for all its ambition and greatness in parts, did not really tread new musical ground - indeed it contained many echoes (pun intended) of former glories, which lessens its own claim to greatness, as it were, for me.

[@rockista4195]

I subscribed and pressed the like button. I couldn't agree more with your analysis, including the difficulty of getting to the end of The Wall album. When I (very rarely) listen to The Trial I'm just looking forward to the arrival of Outside the Wall, it's a liberating moment, also musically. One more thing: those who were used to Waters' lyrical edge surely feel something is missing in the Gilmour era of Pink Floyd. I will stop here... in fact when two people totally agree, there's not much to say after all!

[@craig8542]

Barry , I interject at 3mins 51secs. Animals is a punk album! I was born in 64 and owned and loved Animals before The Wall release. I still think it is their finest work. possibly driven by the fact I bought and still own, on vinyl, winter tour 74. I bought it at a record fair in McClelland galleries,Glasgow, I think in 1980. I swear the sound was poor until several plays cleared the grooves! Honestly . But Raving and Drooling and Kicking and Screaming, on said album, IT'S PUNK. thanks for the great work. Craig

[@rft2001]

I wouldn't call it punk at all. While it has some punk attitude, it is way too produced, too well played, too deep, acidic and mystical to be punk. It is a dark, mysterious, psychedelic progressive rock opus.

[@Vampirebear13]

I've never been a fan of Pink Floyd nor understood people's love of the band. I just chalked it up to people's drug use. I went to see The Wall movie on opening night & took my friends Steve & Todd and we sat thru the movie 4 times & we 3 found the film to be amazing & talked about it for months. But still never became a devotee. I like Gilmore's guitar mastery but there's only 2 PF songs I occasionally listen to, Run Like Hell, and On The Turning Away.

[@MusclesHockeymask]

Nick Mason INFAMOUSLY produced The Damned's sophomore album. I love the drumming of Rat Scabies but I do have questions on whether The Damned are a good punk band. "New Rose" was good but the album? I heard it said The Damned only had two good albums. I love the sentiment that Animals is PF's last truly great album!

[@bryanlea8115]

Back in 1977 I wasn't entgirely sure what to make of Animals, but in the years since it's become probably, my favourite Floyd album. I think it's the sustained aggression and anger that's more upfront and in your face than any of the other Waters-era albums, despite their continuous nods to Roger's trauma.

[@PetraKann]

Animals is a great piece of creative work. Waters at his best. The band humming along musically as well. Gilmour's guitar, Wright's keyboard, Waters's bass lines and Nick's percussion work superb. Pink Floyd set such a high creative standard with Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, that Animals tends to be hidden. But these 3 albums released within about a 5 year period may well be the best creative burst seen from any group in history. You may need to go into Jazz to see similar bursts of creativity (Coltrane, Davis, Monk, Parker etc)

[@martinwatson9615]

What, greater than rubber soul, revolver and sergeant pepper? Greater than beggars banquet, let it bleed and sticky fingers? Greater than hunky dory ziggy stardust and Aladdin sane? Greater than Tommy live at Leeds and who’s next? Greater than Roxy music for your pleasure and stranded?

[@PetraKann]

@@martinwatson9615 These are some good examples of successful periods of album releases. No doubt. Successful does not necessarily equate to great creativity. Sergeant Pepper definitely. It's not just about album sales. Remember the bulk if the early Beetles catalog was flowery pop nonsense. They grew musically and lyrically to produce some wonderful works of art. Pink Floyd on the other hand, ticked all the boxes, including having something profound to say about life. This happened with John Lennon. His messages were profound after he left the Beetles and expressed himself in his solo career. Meaning is everything my dear Mr Watson8734

[@martinwatson9615]

@@PetraKann I can’t argue with that because what you’re saying isn’t quite correct 🤷🏼 Dark Side of The Moon sold more than any album since Pepper and may have sold more. So commercial success is beside the point we’re discussing. Also Animals was many albums in for Floyd, just as the Beatles had made quite a few before Revolver.

[@user-lt9py2pu6u]

Always thought this was one of Floyd's better albums, much better than Wish You Were Here in my opinion. Remember seeing Floyd in '74 and at Knebworth a year later. they played early versions of sheep ( Raving and Drooling) and Dogs (You've Got To Be Crazy). I think dogs is one of the best numbers Floyd ever did, in fact I think I' ll go n give it another listen.

[@ImHavingaCoronary]

Why is Animals ignored by Gilmour. It's obvious, Gilmour has always been the commercial foil to Water's acidic contributions.

[@PatKennedydon]

It has always been my fav Pink Floyd album, it grabbed you my the balls and came back again and again to do the same thing. It's an angry album but not angry for the sake of it, where as The Wall was full blown anger and The Final Cut just exploded inwards. For me Rodger Waters was at the heart of Pink Floyd but needed the others to kind of tame him and when he went solo they weren't there and his music just faded to the point of obsecurty.

[@oliverl.5834]

I tend to say yes. While I personally do really like "The Division Bell" I don't particularly care for anything else between those two Albums, incl. "The Wall", which I think is pretty overrated. I've read a review once which said that it's about 3 or 4 complete songs, Soundeffects and Song Fragments. That seemed a really fitting description to me.