40 Years Ago Today. Album Review: Pink Floyd – Animals (1977)

I must admit that I am a huge Pink Floyd fan. All of the different lineup changes mean different things to me. I must admit it has never been easy being a Floyd fan. All of my buddies except for one hated them. My brother hated them. I tried hundreds of times to put Floyd on, but usually got shot down. Floyd is a love ’em or hate ’em band, although I hope that with age, their music will grow on the haters.

This album is 40 years old today(which makes me feel real old) so I had to review it. This album was the first of three Pink Floyd albums dominated by Roger Waters. It was loosely based on George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and was a commentary on society. The songs refer to 3 classes of people: combative dogs, upper class pigs, and mindless and unquestioning sheep.

As I pop the album on, the house is empty, except for my dog Bowie and I so we can listen to this album properly. I shut off all the lights, crank it up and soak it in. (Floyd is best listened to in the dark.)

Pigs On the Wing (Part One) – Acoustic guitar and mellow vocals start this album off. The song is over a minute long, and is breaking us in for the next three songs that are between 10 and 17 minutes long.

Dogs – This is a long song with amazing guitar solos. The keys here are really amazing as well. The bass is booming and the drums are solid. The dogs barking in the middle of the song ruined the moment a bit as Bowie started barking along. I can only think this was his way of approving.

Pigs (Three Different Ones) – Pigs grunting and laser sounds begin this song off. This is a really cool 70’s tune with wah influenced guitar work. The bass is boomingly awesome. The drums sound great. The background vocals suit perfectly. The piano and keyboards add a nice touch. There is even cowbell and talkbox to set it way, way over the top. This song is way underrated. It is definite Floyd Top 10 song material and most non-Floyd fans wouldn’t even know it. As an added bonus there are pig noises if that floats your boat. Also, the lyrics may fit into today’s political scene down south “Big man. Pig man. Ha ha, charade you are.”

Sheep – Sheep baaing, keyboards and wicked heavy bass(especially chilling with the lights off) start this song off. Then the drums pound and off we go. The vocals are amazing here, and David Gilmour shows us just how awesome he can be. Another possible contender for top 10 Floyd songs.

Pigs On The Wing (Part Two) – A wonderful but short acoustic song ends the album off on a great note.

David Gilmour may give his finest Floyd solos on this album. Great vocals, keyboard, bass and drums make this all into a great album. For added pleasure the band also adds in cowbell and talkbox.

Happy Birthday Animals. Hopefully I can listen to you in another 40 years.

9.9/10