Quite literally, George Orwell’s Animal Farm set to music. Of all the Pink Floyd concept albums this one is probably the most cynical. The music takes a much stronger focus towards guitar than the last couple of albums, probably a direct result against criticism stemming from the developing punk scene against progressive rock. The concept is a little dry compared to, for example Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall, but it really is the musicality which is a much bigger focus here. Instrumental sections are much longer than they have been in the past, even in comparison to Most sections of Wish You Were Here.
There are really only three tracks, bookended by Pigs on the Wing. Dogs is the centrepiece, highlighting most of the best playing on the record. There is also some nice vocal interplay between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, on an otherwise Waters dominated album. To be honest, this sounds even more of a Waters dominated album than The Wall was. The best track to me is Sheep, which has some of Rick Wright’s most memorable keyboard work begin the track, along with the traditional Floyd bass line from One of These Days gradually building momentum throughout the intro.
The album tends to get overlooked as a transitional album between the synesthetic soundscaping of Wish You Were Here and the raw cynical emotion of The Wall, but to me it is a great work in its own right. The music can say it better than I can.
Sheep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6U4XakchT0
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