I think the remix is clearer, cleaner, and features a broader scope of sounds than the original mix, but I also don't think that it's better. There were a lot of moments in the remix where, while I liked the quality of the sounds, things felt like they were pushed further up or down than the original mix just for the sake of making the differences more easily shown; and while I do like the clarity, a lot of it doesn't feel like it was made to the benefit of what the album is trying to say, and a lot of it to me sounds rather sloppy. The original animals has a dark, muddy(ish) mix, but I never felt like anything was lacking from that presentation. The album is dark, mean, and cynical, and the original mix reflected that really well. The remix has these songs, but things seem to be changed trying to make it pretty or different, and not in the means of trying to make the album succeed as it had before. I really appreciate the time and care that went into it, but I think I'm always going to prefer the original. The remix didn't show me a side of Animals I didn't already know, it didn't make me feel a way that Animals hadn't made me feel before, it was just a mix that got given some shiny new paint and pushed the drums up really high in the mix. The bass sounded really good, though
I was lucky that my copy wasn't too noisy. It had probably few pop-clicks, but easily listenable. Personally, I like them both equally. I think the new mix is more modern sounding, and it does sound great. On the other hand, the first UK has that dark gloomy sounding, which I personally dig as it fit the theme of the album. It is like comparing a tone poet/classic to OG, it is really hard to compare. They are just different sounding records, and I don't think there is a "better" copy . I probably going to reach more to the new mix, but I don't see myself ever selling my first uk pressing.
Im sorry Mike what did you say? I was busy counting your 22 Led Zeppelin ll RL copies 😁 Let me preface my half philosophical yammerings with this: I do think it is a bit of an apples and oranges thing to compare a remix with an original, but still a fun little exercise in spite of that. So I can get on board with the comparison for fun sake. Animals is my third favorite Floyd album so Im fairly familiar with it. I am one of "those guys" who hears the original as that murky otherworldly type sound. I cant disagree with you that it was not on purpose but rather the change in studio that most likely caused this sound. But I still like the way it sounds. A happy accident that so happens to fit the subject matter. There is a grotesque Orwellian sense to the original. The predatory Dogs, the political Pigs and the Sheep that follow them and eventually overthrow the former. I mean there really is no getting around the artistic intent of the album. And the original with its sweeping ethereal looming atmosphere is somewhat lost on the remix to me. To me there has to be a balance between looking at something in a fresh perhaps audiophile clarity way without compromising what the feel of the album is in its statement and artistic purpose. A couple of technical examples as to why I think the atmosphere to create that doom is gone that are separate from the blanketed sound.. Rogers vocals at times can seem too forward and dry. Also where the vocals transform into the synthesizer on Sheep isnt the same. Doesnt work very well in the remix. What the remix does for me due to the clarity takes away from the mystery a bit. On "Dogs" that feel of where exactly are the guitars coming from and the lack of reverb throughout the album takes away from that sweep of mystery and epic quality of the overall album. The above are just a couple of examples, but Ill leave it at that. Sounds like Im hating the remix? "They have ruined the artistic intent!!"? Surprisingly to me, no. Ive found I like it for unexpected reasons. The remix has done something interesting...its changed the album from doomy progishness to a bit more of rock enragement. That is, even given my admitted bias for the original, I see the remix compared to the original as kind of making the album more a rocking album than a gloomy one. The clarity of the guitars and drums really soups it up and points the attitude. Now my mind switches when I hear the the remix to make it a rock album. More drums and guitars based. It just rocks harder. The things that are messed with in the remix or changed I dont notice so much, because I am hearing a basic guitar, bass and drums album now. So what does that leave me with? Two versions that I like for differing reasons. A rarity for me as far as remixes. Because usually I am not a huge fan of remixes. So it ends up a positive for me. I like both for very different reasons. The remix presents a different point of view on the same artistic social statement. On the original you have the oppressed and burdened point if view (more foggy prog sound) . On the remix you have the incesed and infuriated point of view (rock oriented sound of a band) Same crowd in the dystopian society of Animals but different reactions to the oppression.
@@thickvinyl There you go! 😊 I mean, the new mix is not 'Bad' at all, and I think there are strong points to it, but like you say, it truly is almost a different album of which people will have different opinions (clearly as shown quite vividly here)
I’ve A/B/C’ed them - UK 1st press, US promo 1st press and the new re-mix. I do like the new-remix over all it’s really good the bass really is upfront. Where the US promo Gilmore’s guitar work is upfront. The UK pressing is more overall balanced. Yes, the new re-mix has a much cleaner sound but that darker sound of the UK pressing is what I’m used to hearing.
Yep... The remix is just a different 'Animal' 😊 An excellent example of this is the original UK Vertigo Black Sabbath Paranoid. It has a very dark sound. Chris Bellmen came along around 2010 and did a remaster. It has a much brighter sound that some people prefer. BUT... it does NOT have the dark sound of the original Vertigo. So, a different choice. As I mention in my comment above, sure this new remix is indeed more 'Dynamic' and probably most people are going to like that, especially compared to the sub-par US releases and many others (I also have a 1st German pressing that doesn't sound all that hot either) BUT... for the 'Purists', or ones who have enough resolution in their system, some, like me and also as I mention above, the very experienced UA-camr Dave Denyer from the UK who has a killer vinyl system, also feels that the remix is too 'Sterile' sounding, but most people simply will not hear it OR they will understandably prefer the remix.
I have the SACD and it was like a whole new album with my setup. The first 30 seconds I knew it was going to be a different ride. I appreciate these comparison videos because sometimes I just want someone to tell me the better versions so I don't have to do hours of research.
I have the regular 2022 CD copy. I'm pleased to say it sounds incredible. Compared it to previous CD and vinyl LP releases of Animals - and the 2018 remix imo is the best this album has sounded. I completely agree with your assessment - I'll only listen to the 2022 version going forward
Thanks for the review. Animals has been my favorite Pink Floyd album for years. I went in to this new mix as a skeptic, but after hearing it I now prefer it over the original. Basically everything about it is an improvement. It's so nice to see this album finally get some tlc on par with what we see with Dark Side, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here. It no longer sticks out as the neglected one in their big four during the 70s. Can't wait for a "immersion" box set cash grab in the future lol. Cheers
I must be one of the lucky 60%. I absolutely love the new mix on LP, the clarity if punchy, but still retains the grit and looming menace of the album’s original vision. Yes the vocals are cleaner and more audible- and real sounding. The bass, as Mike noted, has audible bass notes, not just a muddy plow through some indefinite scale of notes. You can hear the texture of the strings at times. The drums sound like a proper kit should, with resonance and pop. Just outstanding! There’s only a little bit of pops and crackles on the first minute of my Side A, then very little on the first minute of Side B. And man, this album just has great packaging for the price. I feel very privileged, and I agree with Mike on this one.
I cleaned a copy for a customer using my wet cleaning and ultrasonic (Klaudio) modalities here in Ireland. There was a small background crackle on the opening tracks on Side 1 and 2, even after cleaning. From experience, I would think that the cleaning process greatly reduced the crackle. However, the 'crackle' is caused by visible damage on these tracks either from the harsh unlined inner sleeve or unusually rough handling at the Record Industry plant in Haarlem, Netherlands. The copy I heard also had a repetitive click on the first band of 'Sheep' on Side 2. This click was not removed, even after a thorough cleaning. Otherwise, the record played well and without noise. I will wait for a repress before I buy this for my own personal use.
I totally love this 2018 mix! I had noise issues with the LP I bought (really sounded like a secondhand copy with loud pops and clicks) but the FNAC store here in 🇫🇷 agreed to replace it! Second copy is perfect 😀
It really is a great remix, but I can't see myself putting away the original mix either as the darker and mushier mastering really does suit the material better in my opinion. I'd say listen to both!
I wasn't interested in getting the 2018 until I heard "Dogs" posted on UA-cam. I am very familiar with the original recording and have the 2016 vinyl. Even at work through a lousy Internet connection, I could hear everything you said: better instrument separation and clarity for all without taking a thing away from Guilmour's guitar work. I bought the Blu Ray audio disc and have listened to it several times already. Surround mix is fantastic, enhancing the experience without overshadowing what's already great about the album. The uncompressed original mix in stereo still sounds good, but I agree -- I think I will be listening to the 2018 more often.
I think the new remix is nothing short of fabulous, the clarity of everything from vocals to instruments is great. People talk about the 'darkness' of the record being lost...I still feel the darkness with it...darkness has nothing to do with a bad mix, that vibe is still there, just much better. Now, I did listen to a FLAC of the record as mine is still in the shipping box BUT tonight I am opening it because of your other video mentioning 40% damage rate which is massive.
Agree! I don't think the muddy mix was intentional anyway...Floyd were far too meticulous. I wondered if it had something to do with dbx noise reduction not being used when mastering, and Floyd was so under pressure that there was nothing they could do about it. I've seen pictures of their studio with dbx modules and instantly made me think of that. I used to have a tape deck with dbx and it was awesome! Full dynamic range and no hiss...however, you HAD to play it back with dbx or it sounded bad, and I wonder if whoever mastered it did that and had to compensate somehow. The new mix is really extraordinary...to me, it's a much greater difference than the remix for Quadrophenia, as the original was muddy and Townshend knew it, but couldn't do anything about it.
@@Architectureguy I think it had to do with the recently purchased Britannia Row studio. It was the only complete album that they recorded there. Small amount of The Wall
@@DarkSideOfThePepper Brian Humphries was a very competent engineer as Wish You Were Here and the sounds of the remix show (Guthrie did a good job with it, but it had to be there for him to remix). As I understand it, the drums for some of The Wall were recorded there and they sound awesome on that album.
I went through three copies of the mono Saucerful of Secrets on vinyl. In the end I gave up. Each one had pops or surface noise somewhere...and Pink Floyd pressings always used to be great.
Sweet! Amazon was blowing the deluxe editions out for like $55 a month or so ago and it's out for delivery now.. Really looking forward to giving this a listen later!
The new remix is different, not better. It depends what you're looking for. If you want clarity and more impact, the new remix is better. If you want ambience, atmosphere and drama, the original mix is better. I prefer the original mix, but the remix is a interesting, alternative new way to hear the album.
My feelings as well. I think remixes are good for an alternate listen they have a modern blueprint they go by to me. Older mixes seem to show more individuality and thought with the technical limitations they had.
@@allthingsclassicrock Despite what Mike says about Pink Floyd's recording studio limitations, I think they intentionally mixed the album "dark and murky", to match its lyrical content. Though, I'm sure if someone like Bob Ezrin produced it, it would have sounded differently.
Spot on James I totaly agree and if they reall wanted to someting special the should have just remixed all analog not pressed it from a 24/192 file for me I will just get the SACD and enjoy my copies of the OG like I always have,
ah, now, actually the 8-Track version of this particular album will bring you the additional music that Snowy White contributed to make up the timings on the differing side lengths - so yes you might want to listen to it as that music can be hard to find on any other media!
Late to the party on this review, but he’s 100% accurate regarding the clarity and pop of the bass playing. Just go to around the 1:10 - 1:20 minute mark of Pigs where the bass really starts to shine. It pops out with such a great grove that was somewhat lost on the initial mastering. The sound quality of the 2018 reboot vs the 1977 is not even in the same ballpark. Over the past year, I’ve probably listened to this 2018 mix 20+ times. I always found Animals to be underrated, but this version has become one of my top 2 Floyd records. Thankfully my version was clean of defect on first purchase (immediately tossed sleeve and gave it a vacuum clean) so it sounds wonderful. Great review and great remix.
I had a few customers ask us about defect rate due to your video and WOW! We are super lucky that all of our in-store customers who bought this record have been super happy! It appears that our batch was in the good batch. Sorry to hear about your troubles with it. That sounds like a nightmare. We are much more a smaller scale store though. Love the new mix too.
Completely agree! Play the first secs of Pigs from the 2018 remix. Everything will be clear as daylight. On the opening keyboard before the basslines come up, hear the cymbals come up on right ear and then gets repeated subtly but beautifully as Nick Mason would do it.. this very cleverly done cymbal play is absolutely absent from the original recorded mix
You are NOT going to believe this. I went to my local record store and bought the 2016 remix of this album after waiting a long time to buy a version, and doing little to no homework first (mistake.) Got home, jumped on the computer and saw that the 2018 remix was coming out THE NEXT DAY. Doh! Wait - it gets better. I have been meaning to watch this video for a couple weeks now. Finally got a chance to sit down and watch tonight. I had NOT opened the 2016 Animals pressing that I bought last month, due to alot of life stuff happening...I watch the video, hear Mike talking about this 40% return rate due to poor quality control, Jump up and grab my 2016 pressing, cut it open to find a squiggly scratch across side 2 - A nice big fat juicy one. Doh #2!!! I'll give it a spin tomorrow, and then off to the shop to see if my guy will at least exchange it for me. I'll have to decide if I want to order the 2018 pressing and do my own A/B on it with the 2016. Odd that nobody specifically mentions the 2016 remaster. Is it of negligible difference from the OP?
The 2016 is just a remaster of the original album. It sounds better than the album ever did, but it's still the same 1977 mix. The 2018 is a completely new mixing. It sounds like it was recorded in the last few years and can't really be compared to the 1977 mix. It's like they took everything apart, cleaned it, rebuilt it, and put it all back together to make it sound fresh and within specs.
I saw Roger Waters in Salt Lake City in September. Best concert I've seen in my whole life (so far)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I definitely prefer the 2018 Remix over my original 1977 pressing. It's crazy how much it's been improved. The album really needed it.
Great video! I could not agree more. My first copy was bad but got lucky with the second one. Just a tiny bit of pops at the beginning of side two. Animals is my favorite album from Pink Floyd and I am so happy I bought this. As far as comparison to the original, well, I am with you. I don’t see a reason to ever listen to the original again. This is just so much better and more enjoyable to listen to. Probably the best $30 I have ever spent on music. Even for someone who is just a casual Floyd fan, this is a must buy in my opinion.
I see a bunch of copies of “Led Zeppelin II” in the lower left hand corner of the screen! Another great and most honest review on UA-cam. Excellent work Mike and appreciate you investigative reporting.
You summed it up well, Mike. It's really like having a brand new album. The original version I have has such a muddy mix, I doubt if I'll play it anymore. I love the clarity of the 2018 remix. My son just saw Roger Waters & I just saw Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets which was awesome. I told my son he has to get the new remix of Animals. He'll love it. I was fortunate with my vinyl copy. It sounds fine. No issues here. It must suck for so many people who have to return it which creates more work for you. I sure hope they get it right next time.
Also it was awesome meeting you and your wife and visiting your store for the first time, we enjoyed the show, I wore my In Groove t-shirt before I wore my Roger Waters concert t-shirt!!😎🤘
On Apple Music the gray background is animated with rainbow lights to mimic traffic sped up its pretty neat I think. I love the different coloration. I also think animals is a good album so I might be a bit biased
Ive been listening to this on my blutooth speakers and have been really digging the new mix! He's exactly saying what I'm thinking! I'm glad you said that because as a musician in a band that home records I self doubt myself sometimes. I heard the difference right away! Its less chorus/delay/reverb, the bass guitar and drums are much punchier, the guitar sounds more twangy, Richard Wright's pianos don't sound so drowned, the vocals sound clear and the adlibs are audible . I believe Gilmour said they wanted this album originally to sound more hard rock than their previous prog- psych albums. Hopefully record shop near me has this album ! I love having a turntable and playing records! Thanks for your input I 100% agree with you and it showed my ears aren't as bad as I has thought
My 2022 pressing had a semi pop on once side and all it took was a cleaning to fix the LP. Its great, I want to get the SACD eventually, its one of those rare "its better than the original" versions.
Hi Mike. I've been in the same boat as you regarding this album. Trying to find the best pressing for years. I'm a massive Floyd fan and a fan of animals, minus the quality of the recording itself. I also believe the issue was where they recorded it and NOT that it was intended to be that way. My best copy up to the remix is a first German A-O (not the pink vinyl) black vinyl. It has huge bass and very quiet vinyl to allow the most detail to come out through. Compared to the 2016 remaster, 1st Canadian or cd it blows it out of the water. I listened to it in full just b4 the new remix after a ultrasonic clean. Loved it until I dropped the needle on the remix. There's no comparison. This is not even worth a discussion. It's not "modern" or "digital" or different like the Momentary remix. To me is like a audiophile remaster on the level of acoustic sounds, but on not so quiet vinyl. I got lucky with getting a good pressing as well. Tested on McIntosh Ma352, Thorens TD 1600, Audio-Technica Vm740ml, Klipsch Heresy iv, svs sb-3000
My take on the best sounding version (as I have 10-12 different mastering's) is that the '92 Canada-EMI Remaster is the clearest, cleanest, least muddy & brightest w/o sacrificing any mid's or the bottom end.
I'm just spinning my copy that arrived this morning, just the EU standard vinyl. I really lucked out, my copy is almost flawless, there's a tiny area of surface scratches but luckily doesn't affect play at all. Dead quiet background, flat vinyl, lovely balanced sound, synths sound extra special to me, they're quite forward in the mix, but it suits it. The electric guitars at the end of Dogs as well sound stunning.
I've got scratches and what appear to be the paper sleeve imprints on both sides of the lp. Probably 15 seconds of pops as I intro to side 2. I can live with bearable popping 'cause the rest of the record sounds pretty darn good.
I had no issues with this pressing. Only a few slight pops and clicks. No scratches. The mix was fantastic. I bought mine at Barnes and Nobel here in Hawai’i. Don’t know if that would be a factor.
Love this review!!!❤ I have absolutely loved Animals, for quite some time, and listen to it regularly. I have watched a couple of reviews that have given similar praise, about the quality of sound difference that has intrigued me, but not enough to make the purchase. Mostly because as you stated i am an old head that has spent so many hours devoted to the original sound that any distortion just sounds wrong. And i have had that experience with quite a few remixes, although not all so it feels almost like a crap shoot on that kind of investment. With your remarks on the defect rate, i am now even more curious and wary of the purchase. But with your solid advise on cleaning i am confident in making that investment due to your remarks on the improved dividends on the overall sound quality. It also helps that as a performer yourself i can trust your assessment of where the quality of sound improvement actually exists and is not just some sales pitch. Especially with how much this album has cost your business, which is unfortunate. I hit the like, and sending the link to some other vinyl and floyd fans. Definitely going to check more of your work. Thank you so much for your time put into absorbing the album and differences in its various incarnations and putting thought into how to properly give this review.
I feel lucky! My copy was more or less very clean. There was maybe two or three pop-clicks when I dropped the needle. But other than that there was basically no surface noise. And I play my music fairly loud. My system consist of a Music Hall turntable fitted with a Shure M97xE cartridge, Klipsch 7.1 speaker system, and a Yamaha 7.2 A/V receiver.
My copy was clean and quiet. Guess I was lucky . The mix...different. Definitely can hear some details I never noticed before. Probably still prefer the original but I am a Floyd freak so I like being able to hear both mixes. I think Pigs is probably better in the new mix. Meaner more 'ornery...more Rock & Roll.
I bought the original when it came out during my freshman year of college and still have it. Remarkably, it still sounds good despite the fact that it made the rounds of my dorm and, given its gatefold nature, was used to clean weed (It was the 70's, what can I say). It has since been cleaned on my VPI 16.5 and played on my VPI. To my ears the 2018 remix sounds better. I am among the fortunate who purchased a record without defects.
1. but you should always clean your LPs before playing them anyway. That goes without saying. 2. Yes anti-static sleeves help vs paper inner sleeves. (can they be plastic-free or recycled plastic yet?) 3. Objectively, again, this remix was approved by the band. The tape noise reduction issues contained in all prior versions are done away with, and cumulatively so, from the multi-track playback and the mix down and the remastering. 4. The drums are now panned audience p.o.v. (likely Nick Mason's input), which is arguably "correct" in the context of the presentation of the band.
My experience listening to the remix was similar. I’m sentimental about “Animals”, having listened the hell of it as a teenager in the 70s on crappy gear. Cut to 50 years later, I had just set up a pretty nice digital playback system and was excited to hear my old friend in new fidelity. I was beyond disappointment when I heard, instead, my new system revealing the muddy disaster that is the original, something I never realized on previous set ups. The 2018 remix is beautiful, in the league of some of the better recordings I’ve heard rendered on my new system, worthy again of my sentiment.
I just listened to some of it while I was fixing my lunch. My 2005 Yamaha receiver has a 7 channel stereo feature, and I turned that on to hear the clarity (my side and rear surround speakers really brought out the high end)...it's just amazing the difference between the original and the 2018 remix. Hearing the cymbals for the first time in places...you can hear Nick switch to the bell of the cymbal at the start of David's first solo on Dogs...never dreamed it was like that! On the speaking part of Sheep, I can actually make out that it's Nick's voice!
@@Architectureguy Yeah… the remix is transformative with a sound now befitting the musical content. Listening to it is like an Easter Egg hunt for new and interesting details.
I’ve never heard this album and I’m a old guy. Growing up in Detroit I pretty much listened to R&B like Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, The O’Jays and Motown. Plus Top 40 radio. I still listen to Hits 1 on Sirius XM. New music today is my oldies later in my life. Although I don’t know how long I have to live. But, my point is.. I never listened to Pink Floyd. Except for Money.
@@tturner12341 Try to reserve 45 minutes of your time for “Animals” and maybe another 45 for “Dark Side Of the Moon” (perhaps in the other order), if, for no other reason, to have done it. Old or young, there is so much interesting music to hear and so little time; to make time for it all, with only a few exceptions, I try not to listen to albums more than once. So Terry… I suggest giving “Animals” and/or “Dark Side of the Moon” a listen… what album or two would you urge me to be sure to hear?
@@SteveWille I have Dark Side of the Moon on SACD but I only have played Money. I have rather weird taste in music. I can listen to everything by Barry White over and over again. Same with almost every artist on Philadelphia International Records. I remember playing Billy Paul as a kid. Then in the 1980’s I played a lot of Depeche Mode, The Cure and The Smith’s. Nobody..I’ve seen has ever reviewed and of their vinyl re releases. Plus…now in my old age I listen to a lot of Lana Del Rey. Which maybe a total of 10 of us my age listen to. Get my point?
I have the original release and just a couple weeks ago I got the 2018 vinyl record alone and separately bought the SACD. I have a pretty hi end analog system and an OPPO 105D. I first listened to the original that I hadn't played in a while. I thought it was a pretty good record to be honest. If it was all they ever put out I would've been fine with the quality. But when I played the new 2018 mix...WOW that's a significant improvement. I heard another reviewer who didn't like the new sound and maybe like Mike said they just want to hear the original. But to my ears, the new version is so much cleaner and clearer. The SACD is very close to the new vinyl, so much so that I will probably play it more and save my record. I must have been lucky and got a good copy as I have no complaints. I didn't get so lucky on the reissue copy of Meddle that I bought at the same time. It has lots of surface noise (but only on side two with Echoes) when I compare it to my original Meddle copy. I sent that one back. So I was listening carefully to my new Animals record and would have sent it back too but mine is fine.
I'm in the UK and my pressing has a few pops but overall the copy is very good, the new mix is incredible and who knew Gilmore was a better bassist than Waters :), and at about £60 for a deluxe box set with goodies its very good value.
I agree. The 2018 is better than the og. But I still love the og. My standalone 2018 was and still is a bit crackly on side 2 but the scratch/scuff on 'Dogs' I appear to have fixed with some cleaning. The vinyl in my box set issue is perfect, but I understand that others have had the same issues as above with the vinyl in the box set.
I also prefer the new mix. I have on LP and 24/192 digital. So much more umph and groove while sounding musical without compression. Way better than old mix. No issues with LP.
Good show, Michael (BTW do you prefer Mike or Michael?). Hopefully, they'll get the production issues squared away next batch. It's nicely packaged (excepting the paper sleeve) and the sound quality is tempting me to pick this one up at some point. 😎👍
The original mix is baked into my head from 40 years of listening to it. For sure the 2018 remix is sonic bliss, but it is such a departure from the original, that for me it feels that the essence of the recording has been tampered with.
Thanks Mike for the heads up on the defect rate and the overall bad vinyl pressing. If I were to go for this digital remaster I probably would have opted for the SACD anyway but this clinches it.
That really sucks that you've lost so much money on return shipping. My copy wasn't terrible. There were a couple of pops but not enough to make me return it to my local store. I never thought the original mix sounded bad, but I was blown away by how incredible the new remix sounds.
I agree. The guitar and keyboards sound fantastic in the new remix. I A/B’d it with the UK first pressing, and the UK pressing sounded dull and lifeless in comparison. Also, I don’t know if they used Q-Sound when they mixed it, but the soundstage is amazing. The sound wraps around you. Also, I was lucky and got a clean copy.
My copy was not crazy noisy like a lot of the initial responses were. For me it’s mainly the start of side 2, there is a smudging. I ran mine thru my Project VC-S cleaner 2x and I also have a low budget US machine and ran it 2x at 20 min. That took care of 90% of the issues…still has a couple ticks. I much prefer the 2018 over the original for all the reasons you state. It’s a no brainer at $30.
I love the new remaster, that bass you were talking about was the first thing I noticed. I’ve never heard so much soundstage on my system ever. At one point in Dogs i was gripping the arms of my chair like i was tripping going “no more, no more”, lol, there is sooo much going on. Unfortunately, i have a big “errichh, errichh, errichh” at beginning of Pigs (three different ones) plus a lot of pops and clicks. Once the music is going its not too bad. Already had it ultrasonicly cleaner, will probably try with my stuff at home ans see if i can get it better. Thanks
My biggest complaint and why I won't listen to it is that they didn't remaster and include the longer Snowy White version of Pigs On The Wing. I'll keep listening to my 6 channel version that has it, and is also super clean sounding. All Animals ever needed was that "muddy" sound removed.
Cant wait to hear this review later. I have the bluray. Have a decent 2014 (?) lp and canceled my preorder for this based on the defects. Love this album, but not chancing the new release. Ive heard the 2018 in 2 channel and multi channel and know what i think of the mix. But the lp always sounds different. If they fix this and release a second wave i will buy the lp.
This remastered new album is a night and day difference. I compared the ORG UK & US to the new remaster, ORG sound is thin and very rough. Also you can hear instruments that you don't hear on ORG as well as the voicing is better on the remaster. In my opinion the new remaster is a no brainer purchase for the Floyd fan.
I've had bad luck with defective records since the pandemic began but I had good luck on this one. No issues with my copy at all. New mix is better than the original mix, no question.
A big fan of animals and always loved the original pressing,,until I received my copy of the re mix,,quite simply seriously amazing to hear animals in this aspect of recordings,,for me the re mix is the one,,I'm 57 and a mad Floydydian fan,animals has always been my fave ,,,,this just blew me away,,,,,,,respect,animalsmazinglways, kc,,uk,peace,,,👍
My favorite Floyd album. I haven't compared to my 2016 remaster yet, but my first listen was impressive. I did trim the bass a bit with my Loki.... 'twas thumping at my normal settings! I heard parts I don't remember hearing. Looking forward to a closer comparison listen, but pleased so far. Oh... no scratches on mine, though a fair amount of surface noise.
Floyd recording it in their own studio is not a good reason for the OG mix sounding crap. After all, Genesis recorded “Abacab” at their brand new personal studio in 1981 and it sounded FANTASTIC.
Hi Mike. I just checked my copy bought in Spain (made in Holland) and it arrived with scratches that affect the listening as well as a lot of surface noise. I've gone to the shop to exchange it and the new lp is exactly the same. I will have to wait for a new edition :/
Before this, I didn't even realize they were putting out an SACD of it! Seems redundant since they already have the bluray/dvd that has 5.1. I wish more artists would get on the bluray audio bandwagon, I feel it's the logical choice to 'replace' SACD these days since not all bluray players can do SACD. And not a whole lot of people have a dedicated SCAD player!
Great stuff Mike. I agree the new remix the most part smokes the original. More defined & deeper bass .The drums are more clear & more up front. I have the 2016 remaster which I’ve always enjoyed . There is just the odd snippet that’s been edited out on the new remix that might make people nostalgic for the original. The original is darker,grittier,let’s just say fun to have both. Regarding the pressing I must be one of the lucky ones.I bought it on day of release HMV Liverpool & it plays as clean as whistle. Take care Mike 👍😎
I found the remix to very enjoyable on my system. Base line was more prevalent. Clarity of instrumentation. Very wide soundstage and imaging that was not there in the original. This has my vote as good investment. Love the review as well. Appreciate the no fluff just straight forward opinion. Keep it up!!
Mine had no issues. I thought Waters vocals were much clearer and pronounced. His vocal sound is so unique and a quality to Pink Floyds music I've always liked.
I had no issues with my copy. I had pre-ordered from Music Direct. Dead quiet vinyl right out of the package. 1st thing I did was put it into a MoFi sleeve. I think it is the best sounding I have ever heard. I no longer have my original version to direct compare. I have the 2016 which is no match to the new 2018 remaster.
The new remix of Animals on Dogs track at 10.40 into track, they have taken out When someone is Whistling, it's much Clearer on the Original album, can hear someone Whistling. On Sheep track the Lords Prayer is Still Unclear to what they are saying
I was not thinking that I would buy this new remastered version since I have a very good repressing of the original. A friend of mine brought over his copy of the latest release so we could compare them. I was surprised how much better the remastered version is compared to the original. What some might think on the original is detailed guitar just comes off as shrill when compared to the remastered version. If you think you are set with the original you really need to give the remastered version a listen.
Mike Do you think the next batch of pressings of this record may give us a decent playing copy considering your return rate. Do also think the "big shot" responsible for this pressing are aware of the pressing defect rate? I sent my copy back too, but I certainly liked the new mix compared to the original mix I have a copy of.
I like the German first press much more, it simply sounds more analog to me. In the new mix the vocals and drums are to much in the forefront, it just doesn’t sound good to me. In the original mix the balance between the instruments and vocals is simply better. The new mix is also pretty harsh (digital) sounding to me, especially in the louder songs on side 2.
I think it’s a far superior mix. It’s like hearing it for the first time.
My copy is good, and compared to my copy of Dark Side a better sounding product.
@@mauriceprudhomme5296 it’s about the remix, not individual copies.
I think the remix is clearer, cleaner, and features a broader scope of sounds than the original mix, but I also don't think that it's better. There were a lot of moments in the remix where, while I liked the quality of the sounds, things felt like they were pushed further up or down than the original mix just for the sake of making the differences more easily shown; and while I do like the clarity, a lot of it doesn't feel like it was made to the benefit of what the album is trying to say, and a lot of it to me sounds rather sloppy. The original animals has a dark, muddy(ish) mix, but I never felt like anything was lacking from that presentation. The album is dark, mean, and cynical, and the original mix reflected that really well. The remix has these songs, but things seem to be changed trying to make it pretty or different, and not in the means of trying to make the album succeed as it had before. I really appreciate the time and care that went into it, but I think I'm always going to prefer the original. The remix didn't show me a side of Animals I didn't already know, it didn't make me feel a way that Animals hadn't made me feel before, it was just a mix that got given some shiny new paint and pushed the drums up really high in the mix. The bass sounded really good, though
FYI. If you have the Blu-Ray, you can switch between the 77 and 2018 mix on the fly to compare.
Yes but the sound levels are too different for a proper comparison.
I was lucky that my copy wasn't too noisy. It had probably few pop-clicks, but easily listenable. Personally, I like them both equally. I think the new mix is more modern sounding, and it does sound great. On the other hand, the first UK has that dark gloomy sounding, which I personally dig as it fit the theme of the album. It is like comparing a tone poet/classic to OG, it is really hard to compare. They are just different sounding records, and I don't think there is a "better" copy . I probably going to reach more to the new mix, but I don't see myself ever selling my first uk pressing.
Im sorry Mike what did you say? I was busy counting your 22 Led Zeppelin ll RL copies 😁
Let me preface my half philosophical yammerings with this:
I do think it is a bit of an apples and oranges thing to compare a remix with an original, but still a fun little exercise in spite of that. So I can get on board with the comparison for fun sake.
Animals is my third favorite Floyd album so Im fairly familiar with it.
I am one of "those guys" who hears the original as that murky otherworldly type sound. I cant disagree with you that it was not on purpose but rather the change in studio that most likely caused this sound. But I still like the way it sounds. A happy accident that so happens to fit the subject matter.
There is a grotesque Orwellian sense to the original. The predatory Dogs, the political Pigs and the Sheep that follow them and eventually overthrow the former. I mean there really is no getting around the artistic intent of the album. And the original with its sweeping ethereal looming atmosphere is somewhat lost on the remix to me.
To me there has to be a balance between looking at something in a fresh perhaps audiophile clarity way without compromising what the feel of the album is in its statement and artistic purpose.
A couple of technical examples as to why I think the atmosphere to create that doom is gone that are separate from the blanketed sound..
Rogers vocals at times can seem too forward and dry. Also where the vocals transform into the synthesizer on Sheep isnt the same. Doesnt work very well in the remix.
What the remix does for me due to the clarity takes away from the mystery a bit. On "Dogs" that feel of where exactly are the guitars coming from and the lack of reverb throughout the album takes away from that sweep of mystery and epic quality of the overall album.
The above are just a couple of examples, but Ill leave it at that.
Sounds like Im hating the remix?
"They have ruined the artistic intent!!"?
Surprisingly to me, no. Ive found I like it for unexpected reasons.
The remix has done something interesting...its changed the album from doomy progishness to a bit more of rock enragement.
That is, even given my admitted bias for the original, I see the remix compared to the original as kind of making the album more a rocking album than a gloomy one. The clarity of the guitars and drums really soups it up and points the attitude.
Now my mind switches when I hear the the remix to make it a rock album. More drums and guitars based. It just rocks harder. The things that are messed with in the remix or changed I dont notice so much, because I am hearing a basic guitar, bass and drums album now.
So what does that leave me with?
Two versions that I like for differing reasons. A rarity for me as far as remixes. Because usually I am not a huge fan of remixes.
So it ends up a positive for me. I like both for very different reasons. The remix presents a different point of view on the same artistic social statement.
On the original you have the oppressed and burdened point if view (more foggy prog sound) . On the remix you have the incesed and infuriated point of view (rock oriented sound of a band)
Same crowd in the dystopian society of Animals but different reactions to the oppression.
@@thickvinyl There you go! 😊 I mean, the new mix is not 'Bad' at all, and I think there are strong points to it, but like you say, it truly is almost a different album of which people will have different opinions (clearly as shown quite vividly here)
I’ve A/B/C’ed them - UK 1st press, US promo 1st press and the new re-mix. I do like the new-remix over all it’s really good the bass really is upfront. Where the US promo Gilmore’s guitar work is upfront. The UK pressing is more overall balanced. Yes, the new re-mix has a much cleaner sound but that darker sound of the UK pressing is what I’m used to hearing.
Yep... The remix is just a different 'Animal' 😊 An excellent example of this is the original UK Vertigo Black Sabbath Paranoid. It has a very dark sound. Chris Bellmen came along around 2010 and did a remaster. It has a much brighter sound that some people prefer. BUT... it does NOT have the dark sound of the original Vertigo. So, a different choice. As I mention in my comment above, sure this new remix is indeed more 'Dynamic' and probably most people are going to like that, especially compared to the sub-par US releases and many others (I also have a 1st German pressing that doesn't sound all that hot either) BUT... for the 'Purists', or ones who have enough resolution in their system, some, like me and also as I mention above, the very experienced UA-camr Dave Denyer from the UK who has a killer vinyl system, also feels that the remix is too 'Sterile' sounding, but most people simply will not hear it OR they will understandably prefer the remix.
The remix is just that. The different releases in USA/uk are all the same mix.
I have the SACD and it was like a whole new album with my setup. The first 30 seconds I knew it was going to be a different ride. I appreciate these comparison videos because sometimes I just want someone to tell me the better versions so I don't have to do hours of research.
I have the regular 2022 CD copy. I'm pleased to say it sounds incredible. Compared it to previous CD and vinyl LP releases of Animals - and the 2018 remix imo is the best this album has sounded. I completely agree with your assessment - I'll only listen to the 2022 version going forward
Thanks for the review. Animals has been my favorite Pink Floyd album for years. I went in to this new mix as a skeptic, but after hearing it I now prefer it over the original. Basically everything about it is an improvement. It's so nice to see this album finally get some tlc on par with what we see with Dark Side, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here. It no longer sticks out as the neglected one in their big four during the 70s. Can't wait for a "immersion" box set cash grab in the future lol. Cheers
I must be one of the lucky 60%. I absolutely love the new mix on LP, the clarity if punchy, but still retains the grit and looming menace of the album’s original vision. Yes the vocals are cleaner and more audible- and real sounding. The bass, as Mike noted, has audible bass notes, not just a muddy plow through some indefinite scale of notes. You can hear the texture of the strings at times. The drums sound like a proper kit should, with resonance and pop. Just outstanding! There’s only a little bit of pops and crackles on the first minute of my Side A, then very little on the first minute of Side B. And man, this album just has great packaging for the price. I feel very privileged, and I agree with Mike on this one.
I cleaned a copy for a customer using my wet cleaning and ultrasonic (Klaudio) modalities here in Ireland. There was a small background crackle on the opening tracks on Side 1 and 2, even after cleaning. From experience, I would think that the cleaning process greatly reduced the crackle. However, the 'crackle' is caused by visible damage on these tracks either from the harsh unlined inner sleeve or unusually rough handling at the Record Industry plant in Haarlem, Netherlands. The copy I heard also had a repetitive click on the first band of 'Sheep' on Side 2. This click was not removed, even after a thorough cleaning. Otherwise, the record played well and without noise. I will wait for a repress before I buy this for my own personal use.
Have to agree with what you said on this, i won't be going back to the originals, i love this album, but now i can really love it again.
It is a huge wow difference. I like the original but the remix is just so much more cinematic is the only word. It just draws you in much more.
I totally love this 2018 mix!
I had noise issues with the LP I bought (really sounded like a secondhand copy with loud pops and clicks) but the FNAC store here in 🇫🇷 agreed to replace it! Second copy is perfect 😀
It really is a great remix, but I can't see myself putting away the original mix either as the darker and mushier mastering really does suit the material better in my opinion. I'd say listen to both!
I'm very happy that my 2018 mix is perfect....no scratches or surface noise. It sounds amazing! I got lucky.
I wasn't interested in getting the 2018 until I heard "Dogs" posted on UA-cam. I am very familiar with the original recording and have the 2016 vinyl. Even at work through a lousy Internet connection, I could hear everything you said: better instrument separation and clarity for all without taking a thing away from Guilmour's guitar work. I bought the Blu Ray audio disc and have listened to it several times already. Surround mix is fantastic, enhancing the experience without overshadowing what's already great about the album. The uncompressed original mix in stereo still sounds good, but I agree -- I think I will be listening to the 2018 more often.
I think the new remix is nothing short of fabulous, the clarity of everything from vocals to instruments is great. People talk about the 'darkness' of the record being lost...I still feel the darkness with it...darkness has nothing to do with a bad mix, that vibe is still there, just much better. Now, I did listen to a FLAC of the record as mine is still in the shipping box BUT tonight I am opening it because of your other video mentioning 40% damage rate which is massive.
Agree! I don't think the muddy mix was intentional anyway...Floyd were far too meticulous. I wondered if it had something to do with dbx noise reduction not being used when mastering, and Floyd was so under pressure that there was nothing they could do about it. I've seen pictures of their studio with dbx modules and instantly made me think of that.
I used to have a tape deck with dbx and it was awesome! Full dynamic range and no hiss...however, you HAD to play it back with dbx or it sounded bad, and I wonder if whoever mastered it did that and had to compensate somehow.
The new mix is really extraordinary...to me, it's a much greater difference than the remix for Quadrophenia, as the original was muddy and Townshend knew it, but couldn't do anything about it.
@@Architectureguy I think it had to do with the recently purchased Britannia Row studio. It was the only complete album that they recorded there. Small amount of The Wall
@@DarkSideOfThePepper Brian Humphries was a very competent engineer as Wish You Were Here and the sounds of the remix show (Guthrie did a good job with it, but it had to be there for him to remix). As I understand it, the drums for some of The Wall were recorded there and they sound awesome on that album.
I went through three copies of the mono Saucerful of Secrets on vinyl. In the end I gave up. Each one had pops or surface noise somewhere...and Pink Floyd pressings always used to be great.
@@DarkSideOfThePepper Genesis “Abacab” was the first for Genesis’ studio as well, and sounded FABULOUS.
Sweet! Amazon was blowing the deluxe editions out for like $55 a month or so ago and it's out for delivery now.. Really looking forward to giving this a listen later!
Saw Rodger Waters last night. Absolutely incredible!!
The new remix is different, not better. It depends what you're looking for. If you want clarity and more impact, the new remix is better. If you want ambience, atmosphere and drama, the original mix is better. I prefer the original mix, but the remix is a interesting, alternative new way to hear the album.
My feelings as well. I think remixes are good for an alternate listen they have a modern blueprint they go by to me. Older mixes seem to show more individuality and thought with the technical limitations they had.
@@allthingsclassicrock Despite what Mike says about Pink Floyd's recording studio limitations, I think they intentionally mixed the album "dark and murky", to match its lyrical content. Though, I'm sure if someone like Bob Ezrin produced it, it would have sounded differently.
@@jameswilson7084 definitely. I can’t see any ‘70s Floyd album not being well thought out and produced. These guys had the time and money to spend.
Spot on James I totaly agree and if they reall wanted to someting special the should have just remixed all analog not pressed it from a 24/192 file for me I will just get the SACD and enjoy my copies of the OG like I always have,
@@jameswilson7084 no
I've only listened to it on UA-cam but my mind was blown immediately. Have it on order now (CD edition).
ah, now, actually the 8-Track version of this particular album will bring you the additional music that Snowy White contributed to make up the timings on the differing side lengths - so yes you might want to listen to it as that music can be hard to find on any other media!
Late to the party on this review, but he’s 100% accurate regarding the clarity and pop of the bass playing. Just go to around the 1:10 - 1:20 minute mark of Pigs where the bass really starts to shine. It pops out with such a great grove that was somewhat lost on the initial mastering.
The sound quality of the 2018 reboot vs the 1977 is not even in the same ballpark. Over the past year, I’ve probably listened to this 2018 mix 20+ times. I always found Animals to be underrated, but this version has become one of my top 2 Floyd records.
Thankfully my version was clean of defect on first purchase (immediately tossed sleeve and gave it a vacuum clean) so it sounds wonderful.
Great review and great remix.
I had a few customers ask us about defect rate due to your video and WOW! We are super lucky that all of our in-store customers who bought this record have been super happy! It appears that our batch was in the good batch. Sorry to hear about your troubles with it. That sounds like a nightmare. We are much more a smaller scale store though. Love the new mix too.
I still like the orginal mix but I'm liking the 2018 more each time I spin it.
Completely agree! Play the first secs of Pigs from the 2018 remix. Everything will be clear as daylight. On the opening keyboard before the basslines come up, hear the cymbals come up on right ear and then gets repeated subtly but beautifully as Nick Mason would do it.. this very cleverly done cymbal play is absolutely absent from the original recorded mix
2018 mix is like a whole new album. Always loved Animals, but this is on another level sonically.
My second favorite album.
You are NOT going to believe this. I went to my local record store and bought the 2016 remix of this album after waiting a long time to buy a version, and doing little to no homework first (mistake.) Got home, jumped on the computer and saw that the 2018 remix was coming out THE NEXT DAY. Doh!
Wait - it gets better. I have been meaning to watch this video for a couple weeks now. Finally got a chance to sit down and watch tonight. I had NOT opened the 2016 Animals pressing that I bought last month, due to alot of life stuff happening...I watch the video, hear Mike talking about this 40% return rate due to poor quality control, Jump up and grab my 2016 pressing, cut it open to find a squiggly scratch across side 2 - A nice big fat juicy one. Doh #2!!!
I'll give it a spin tomorrow, and then off to the shop to see if my guy will at least exchange it for me. I'll have to decide if I want to order the 2018 pressing and do my own A/B on it with the 2016. Odd that nobody specifically mentions the 2016 remaster. Is it of negligible difference from the OP?
The 2016 is just a remaster of the original album. It sounds better than the album ever did, but it's still the same 1977 mix. The 2018 is a completely new mixing. It sounds like it was recorded in the last few years and can't really be compared to the 1977 mix. It's like they took everything apart, cleaned it, rebuilt it, and put it all back together to make it sound fresh and within specs.
I saw Roger Waters in Salt Lake City in September. Best concert I've seen in my whole life (so far)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I definitely prefer the 2018 Remix over my original 1977 pressing. It's crazy how much it's been improved. The album really needed it.
To be fair I'd listen to the 8-Track for the Snowy White extended guitar solo.
Great video! I could not agree more. My first copy was bad but got lucky with the second one. Just a tiny bit of pops at the beginning of side two. Animals is my favorite album from Pink Floyd and I am so happy I bought this. As far as comparison to the original, well, I am with you. I don’t see a reason to ever listen to the original again. This is just so much better and more enjoyable to listen to. Probably the best $30 I have ever spent on music. Even for someone who is just a casual Floyd fan, this is a must buy in my opinion.
I see a bunch of copies of “Led Zeppelin II” in the lower left hand corner of the screen! Another great and most honest review on UA-cam. Excellent work Mike and appreciate you investigative reporting.
You summed it up well, Mike. It's really like having a brand new album. The original version I have has such a muddy mix, I doubt if I'll play it anymore. I love the clarity of the 2018 remix. My son just saw Roger Waters & I just saw Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets which was awesome. I told my son he has to get the new remix of Animals. He'll love it. I was fortunate with my vinyl copy. It sounds fine. No issues here. It must suck for so many people who have to return it which creates more work for you. I sure hope they get it right next time.
Also it was awesome meeting you and your wife and visiting your store for the first time, we enjoyed the show, I wore my In Groove t-shirt before I wore my Roger Waters concert t-shirt!!😎🤘
It is significantly better than the previous versions, especially the drums
On Apple Music the gray background is animated with rainbow lights to mimic traffic sped up its pretty neat I think. I love the different coloration. I also think animals is a good album so I might be a bit biased
Ive been listening to this on my blutooth speakers and have been really digging the new mix! He's exactly saying what I'm thinking! I'm glad you said that because as a musician in a band that home records I self doubt myself sometimes. I heard the difference right away! Its less chorus/delay/reverb, the bass guitar and drums are much punchier, the guitar sounds more twangy, Richard Wright's pianos don't sound so drowned, the vocals sound clear and the adlibs are audible . I believe Gilmour said they wanted this album originally to sound more hard rock than their previous prog- psych albums. Hopefully record shop near me has this album ! I love having a turntable and playing records! Thanks for your input I 100% agree with you and it showed my ears aren't as bad as I has thought
My 2022 pressing had a semi pop on once side and all it took was a cleaning to fix the LP. Its great, I want to get the SACD eventually, its one of those rare "its better than the original" versions.
I don't have the 1ST UK but I do have the 1ST US. The 2018 remix is so much better than the US version. It's night and day.
My copy of the deluxe package had no issue and the viny sounded ********** incredible. Haven't gotten to the 5.1 audio yet.
Hi Mike. I've been in the same boat as you regarding this album. Trying to find the best pressing for years. I'm a massive Floyd fan and a fan of animals, minus the quality of the recording itself. I also believe the issue was where they recorded it and NOT that it was intended to be that way. My best copy up to the remix is a first German A-O (not the pink vinyl) black vinyl. It has huge bass and very quiet vinyl to allow the most detail to come out through. Compared to the 2016 remaster, 1st Canadian or cd it blows it out of the water. I listened to it in full just b4 the new remix after a ultrasonic clean. Loved it until I dropped the needle on the remix. There's no comparison. This is not even worth a discussion. It's not "modern" or "digital" or different like the Momentary remix. To me is like a audiophile remaster on the level of acoustic sounds, but on not so quiet vinyl. I got lucky with getting a good pressing as well. Tested on McIntosh Ma352, Thorens TD 1600, Audio-Technica Vm740ml, Klipsch Heresy iv, svs sb-3000
My take on the best sounding version (as I have 10-12 different mastering's) is that the '92 Canada-EMI Remaster is the clearest, cleanest, least muddy & brightest w/o sacrificing any mid's or the bottom end.
I'm just spinning my copy that arrived this morning, just the EU standard vinyl. I really lucked out, my copy is almost flawless, there's a tiny area of surface scratches but luckily doesn't affect play at all. Dead quiet background, flat vinyl, lovely balanced sound, synths sound extra special to me, they're quite forward in the mix, but it suits it. The electric guitars at the end of Dogs as well sound stunning.
Love the new mix its incredible .
I've got scratches and what appear to be the paper sleeve imprints on both sides of the lp. Probably 15 seconds of pops as I intro to side 2. I can live with bearable popping 'cause the rest of the record sounds pretty darn good.
I had no issues with this pressing. Only a few slight pops and clicks. No scratches. The mix was fantastic. I bought mine at Barnes and Nobel here in Hawai’i. Don’t know if that would be a factor.
Love this review!!!❤ I have absolutely loved Animals, for quite some time, and listen to it regularly. I have watched a couple of reviews that have given similar praise, about the quality of sound difference that has intrigued me, but not enough to make the purchase. Mostly because as you stated i am an old head that has spent so many hours devoted to the original sound that any distortion just sounds wrong. And i have had that experience with quite a few remixes, although not all so it feels almost like a crap shoot on that kind of investment.
With your remarks on the defect rate, i am now even more curious and wary of the purchase. But with your solid advise on cleaning i am confident in making that investment due to your remarks on the improved dividends on the overall sound quality. It also helps that as a performer yourself i can trust your assessment of where the quality of sound improvement actually exists and is not just some sales pitch. Especially with how much this album has cost your business, which is unfortunate. I hit the like, and sending the link to some other vinyl and floyd fans. Definitely going to check more of your work. Thank you so much for your time put into absorbing the album and differences in its various incarnations and putting thought into how to properly give this review.
I feel lucky! My copy was more or less very clean. There was maybe two or three pop-clicks when I dropped the needle. But other than that there was basically no surface noise. And I play my music fairly loud. My system consist of a Music Hall turntable fitted with a Shure M97xE cartridge, Klipsch 7.1 speaker system, and a Yamaha 7.2 A/V receiver.
My Favourite PF album!!!
My copy was clean and quiet. Guess I was lucky . The mix...different. Definitely can hear some details I never noticed before. Probably still prefer the original but I am a Floyd freak so I like being able to hear both mixes. I think Pigs is probably better in the new mix. Meaner more 'ornery...more Rock & Roll.
Same here. I have 3 pops at the beginning of Dogs and that's it. Super quiet otherwise.
I bought the original when it came out during my freshman year of college and still have it. Remarkably, it still sounds good despite the fact that it made the rounds of my dorm and, given its gatefold nature, was used to clean weed (It was the 70's, what can I say). It has since been cleaned on my VPI 16.5 and played on my VPI. To my ears the 2018 remix sounds better. I am among the fortunate who purchased a record without defects.
My copy was in good shape and pretty quiet. A few pops in the real quiet parts but overall super pleased wit hate mix.
1. but you should always clean your LPs before playing them anyway. That goes without saying.
2. Yes anti-static sleeves help vs paper inner sleeves. (can they be plastic-free or recycled plastic yet?)
3. Objectively, again, this remix was approved by the band. The tape noise reduction issues contained in all prior versions are done away with, and cumulatively so, from the multi-track playback and the mix down and the remastering.
4. The drums are now panned audience p.o.v. (likely Nick Mason's input), which is arguably "correct" in the context of the presentation of the band.
New camera! Looks great Mike!
Yup! I can’t stop listening to it. I went back to the original mix and couldn’t even get through “Dogs” then switched back.
My experience listening to the remix was similar. I’m sentimental about “Animals”, having listened the hell of it as a teenager in the 70s on crappy gear. Cut to 50 years later, I had just set up a pretty nice digital playback system and was excited to hear my old friend in new fidelity. I was beyond disappointment when I heard, instead, my new system revealing the muddy disaster that is the original, something I never realized on previous set ups. The 2018 remix is beautiful, in the league of some of the better recordings I’ve heard rendered on my new system, worthy again of my sentiment.
I just listened to some of it while I was fixing my lunch. My 2005 Yamaha receiver has a 7 channel stereo feature, and I turned that on to hear the clarity (my side and rear surround speakers really brought out the high end)...it's just amazing the difference between the original and the 2018 remix. Hearing the cymbals for the first time in places...you can hear Nick switch to the bell of the cymbal at the start of David's first solo on Dogs...never dreamed it was like that!
On the speaking part of Sheep, I can actually make out that it's Nick's voice!
@@Architectureguy Yeah… the remix is transformative with a sound now befitting the musical content. Listening to it is like an Easter Egg hunt for new and interesting details.
I’ve never heard this album and I’m a old guy. Growing up in Detroit I pretty much listened to R&B like Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, The O’Jays and Motown. Plus Top 40 radio. I still listen to Hits 1 on Sirius XM. New music today is my oldies later in my life. Although I don’t know how long I have to live. But, my point is.. I never listened to Pink Floyd. Except for Money.
@@tturner12341 Try to reserve 45 minutes of your time for “Animals” and maybe another 45 for “Dark Side Of the Moon” (perhaps in the other order), if, for no other reason, to have done it. Old or young, there is so much interesting music to hear and so little time; to make time for it all, with only a few exceptions, I try not to listen to albums more than once. So Terry… I suggest giving “Animals” and/or “Dark Side of the Moon” a listen… what album or two would you urge me to be sure to hear?
@@SteveWille I have Dark Side of the Moon on SACD but I only have played Money. I have rather weird taste in music. I can listen to everything by Barry White over and over again. Same with almost every artist on Philadelphia International Records. I remember playing Billy Paul as a kid. Then in the 1980’s I played a lot of Depeche Mode, The Cure and The Smith’s. Nobody..I’ve seen has ever reviewed and of their vinyl re releases. Plus…now in my old age I listen to a lot of Lana Del Rey. Which maybe a total of 10 of us my age listen to. Get my point?
I have the original release and just a couple weeks ago I got the 2018 vinyl record alone and separately bought the SACD. I have a pretty hi end analog system and an OPPO 105D. I first listened to the original that I hadn't played in a while. I thought it was a pretty good record to be honest. If it was all they ever put out I would've been fine with the quality. But when I played the new 2018 mix...WOW that's a significant improvement. I heard another reviewer who didn't like the new sound and maybe like Mike said they just want to hear the original. But to my ears, the new version is so much cleaner and clearer. The SACD is very close to the new vinyl, so much so that I will probably play it more and save my record. I must have been lucky and got a good copy as I have no complaints. I didn't get so lucky on the reissue copy of Meddle that I bought at the same time. It has lots of surface noise (but only on side two with Echoes) when I compare it to my original Meddle copy. I sent that one back. So I was listening carefully to my new Animals record and would have sent it back too but mine is fine.
I'm in the UK and my pressing has a few pops but overall the copy is very good, the new mix is incredible and who knew Gilmore was a better bassist than Waters :), and at about £60 for a deluxe box set with goodies its very good value.
Agree with everything in this review. Thanks Mike.
I agree. The 2018 is better than the og. But I still love the og. My standalone 2018 was and still is a bit crackly on side 2 but the scratch/scuff on 'Dogs' I appear to have fixed with some cleaning. The vinyl in my box set issue is perfect, but I understand that others have had the same issues as above with the vinyl in the box set.
You excited for the UHQRs of steely dan?
Yes
nice review ...thanks,,loved the Animals album...love it live as well....thanks again
I also prefer the new mix. I have on LP and 24/192 digital. So much more umph and groove while sounding musical without compression. Way better than old mix. No issues with LP.
Good show, Michael (BTW do you prefer Mike or Michael?). Hopefully, they'll get the production issues squared away next batch. It's nicely packaged (excepting the paper sleeve) and the sound quality is tempting me to pick this one up at some point. 😎👍
The original mix is baked into my head from 40 years of listening to it. For sure the 2018 remix is sonic bliss, but it is such a departure from the original, that for me it feels that the essence of the recording has been tampered with.
Animals is easily my most played PF album and I love the new remix - a breath of fresh air! Shame you have had to take a hit with the quality issue.
The bluray is fabulous
No defect with my copy. Sounds Fantastic on my Technics Quartz
Thanks Mike for the heads up on the defect rate and the overall bad vinyl pressing. If I were to go for this digital remaster I probably would have opted for the SACD anyway but this clinches it.
That really sucks that you've lost so much money on return shipping. My copy wasn't terrible. There were a couple of pops but not enough to make me return it to my local store. I never thought the original mix sounded bad, but I was blown away by how incredible the new remix sounds.
I agree. The guitar and keyboards sound fantastic in the new remix. I A/B’d it with the UK first pressing, and the UK pressing sounded dull and lifeless in comparison. Also, I don’t know if they used Q-Sound when they mixed it, but the soundstage is amazing. The sound wraps around you. Also, I was lucky and got a clean copy.
I don't think so.
At times, the sound sounds like it is coming directly from the right and left of you. However they accomplished it, it creates a great effect.
Nobody uses Qsound anymore.
@@SPAZZOID100 Roger Waters used in on Amused to Death, which is why I speculated.
My copy was not crazy noisy like a lot of the initial responses were. For me it’s mainly the start of side 2, there is a smudging. I ran mine thru my Project VC-S cleaner 2x and I also have a low budget US machine and ran it 2x at 20 min. That took care of 90% of the issues…still has a couple ticks.
I much prefer the 2018 over the original for all the reasons you state. It’s a no brainer at $30.
I love the new remaster, that bass you were talking about was the first thing I noticed. I’ve never heard so much soundstage on my system ever. At one point in Dogs i was gripping the arms of my chair like i was tripping going “no more, no more”, lol, there is sooo much going on. Unfortunately, i have a big “errichh, errichh, errichh” at beginning of Pigs (three different ones) plus a lot of pops and clicks. Once the music is going its not too bad. Already had it ultrasonicly cleaner, will probably try with my stuff at home ans see if i can get it better. Thanks
It’s a REMIX.
The new mix is much, much better, I completely agree.
My biggest complaint and why I won't listen to it is that they didn't remaster and include the longer Snowy White version of Pigs On The Wing. I'll keep listening to my 6 channel version that has it, and is also super clean sounding. All Animals ever needed was that "muddy" sound removed.
I just found your channel…and I live in The Phoenix area! I’ll be visiting your store!
Cant wait to hear this review later. I have the bluray. Have a decent 2014 (?) lp and canceled my preorder for this based on the defects. Love this album, but not chancing the new release. Ive heard the 2018 in 2 channel and multi channel and know what i think of the mix. But the lp always sounds different. If they fix this and release a second wave i will buy the lp.
I missed any mention about the iconic artwork and the new cover, but I guess as you are American, you wouldn't understand!
I prefer the original, the 2016, 2018. In this order.
This remastered new album is a night and day difference. I compared the ORG UK & US to the new remaster, ORG sound is thin and very rough. Also you can hear instruments that you don't hear on ORG as well as the voicing is better on the remaster. In my opinion the new remaster is a no brainer purchase for the Floyd fan.
I've had bad luck with defective records since the pandemic began but I had good luck on this one. No issues with my copy at all.
New mix is better than the original mix, no question.
A big fan of animals and always loved the original pressing,,until I received my copy of the re mix,,quite simply seriously amazing to hear animals in this aspect of recordings,,for me the re mix is the one,,I'm 57 and a mad Floydydian fan,animals has always been my fave ,,,,this just blew me away,,,,,,,respect,animalsmazinglways, kc,,uk,peace,,,👍
My favorite Floyd album. I haven't compared to my 2016 remaster yet, but my first listen was impressive. I did trim the bass a bit with my Loki.... 'twas thumping at my normal settings! I heard parts I don't remember hearing. Looking forward to a closer comparison listen, but pleased so far. Oh... no scratches on mine, though a fair amount of surface noise.
There is nothing to compare this 2018 remix to, as it’s a REMIX.
@@SPAZZOID100 Oh right, so you can't compare it to any other version because it's a REMIX.
Floyd recording it in their own studio is not a good reason for the OG mix sounding crap. After all, Genesis recorded “Abacab” at their brand new personal studio in 1981 and it sounded FANTASTIC.
Hi Mike. I just checked my copy bought in Spain (made in Holland) and it arrived with scratches that affect the listening as well as a lot of surface noise. I've gone to the shop to exchange it and the new lp is exactly the same.
I will have to wait for a new edition :/
This remix is great… the dvd menu music is amazing!!! Dvd is better than sacd but only slightly
Before this, I didn't even realize they were putting out an SACD of it! Seems redundant since they already have the bluray/dvd that has 5.1. I wish more artists would get on the bluray audio bandwagon, I feel it's the logical choice to 'replace' SACD these days since not all bluray players can do SACD. And not a whole lot of people have a dedicated SCAD player!
Great stuff Mike.
I agree the new remix the most part smokes the original.
More defined & deeper bass .The drums are more clear & more up front.
I have the 2016 remaster which I’ve always enjoyed .
There is just the odd snippet that’s been edited out on the new remix that might make people nostalgic for the original.
The original is darker,grittier,let’s just say fun to have both.
Regarding the pressing I must be one of the lucky ones.I bought it on day of release HMV Liverpool & it plays as clean as whistle.
Take care Mike 👍😎
Someone is going to have a lot of explaining to do at the pressing plant. Back to the release, it's superb and a clear winner over the og.
I found the remix to very enjoyable on my system. Base line was more prevalent. Clarity of instrumentation. Very wide soundstage and imaging that was not there in the original.
This has my vote as good investment.
Love the review as well. Appreciate the no fluff just straight forward opinion.
Keep it up!!
Mine had no issues. I thought Waters vocals were much clearer and pronounced. His vocal sound is so unique and a quality to Pink Floyds music I've always liked.
Would have loved to hear about the current run animals versus the 18 mix....
I had no issues with my copy. I had pre-ordered from Music Direct. Dead quiet vinyl right out of the package. 1st thing I did was put it into a MoFi sleeve. I think it is the best sounding I have ever heard. I no longer have my original version to direct compare. I have the 2016 which is no match to the new 2018 remaster.
The new remix of Animals on Dogs track at 10.40 into track, they have taken out When someone is Whistling, it's much Clearer on the Original album, can hear someone Whistling.
On Sheep track the Lords Prayer is Still Unclear to what they are saying
I was not thinking that I would buy this new remastered version since I have a very good repressing of the original. A friend of mine brought over his copy of the latest release so we could compare them. I was surprised how much better the remastered version is compared to the original. What some might think on the original is detailed guitar just comes off as shrill when compared to the remastered version. If you think you are set with the original you really need to give the remastered version a listen.
Mike
Do you think the next batch of pressings of this record may give us a decent playing copy considering your return rate. Do also think the "big shot" responsible for this pressing are aware of the pressing defect rate?
I sent my copy back too, but I certainly liked the new mix compared to the original mix I have a copy of.
Music Direct says it's out of stock/ships when available.... AKA as QC?
I know you have heard the problems with the stand alone vinyl pressing how does the box set vinyl compare?
I’ve only opened a few box sets. I did have 1 defective. Too early to tell right now.
I like the German first press much more, it simply sounds more analog to me. In the new mix the vocals and drums are to much in the forefront, it just doesn’t sound good to me. In the original mix the balance between the instruments and vocals is simply better. The new mix is also pretty harsh (digital) sounding to me, especially in the louder songs on side 2.