I love the stone, stone, stone reprise from Dogs. Never realised it was there until someone pointed it out. Generally, I love all the small stuff that goes on in the background. Every little bit contributes as much as the main stuff. Nice reference to what sheep are about.
You are one sharp cookie!! Yes some very cool effects and transitions in this "tune". Floyd is still my favorite. Probably did one too many hallucinogens while listening to them. 😊 It's all good. Still kicking and listening 40 years later. These guys have always kept me briefed as I made my way through life, from the practical point of view. I kept my spirituality by listening to The Moody Blues. The Moody Blues bring wisdom to the table. These two groups are all you need to understand, and go through life. The rest are simply damn good entertainment, to keep out the boredom, as you understand, and participate, with what's taking place.
To me this is Floyd at their greatest. Water's lyrics are dead on, just perfect and Gilmour's guitar, especially at the end may be the greatest outro I have ever heard.
Great reaction! Btw, "Animal Farm" is generally read by high school or secondary school kids but it is decidedly not a kids book. The themes are layered and engaging to all depending upon how deep one is inclined to dive. Many a masters degree thesis has been written on the book.
Great reaction Syed. I will say, I think the last verse of Sheep is referring to the cyclical nature of class dynamics. Often you have revolutions by the sheep (France, Russia), where the sheep ultimately succeed only to become pigs in a new system thats basically the same. Also, the animals album was rereleased recently with far better sound mixing. If you ever revisit the album check that one out (2018 version, but released this year, oddly.) Lastly, I do want to hear your thoughts on the novel when you eventually read it. Not sure if that belongs in this channel, but look forward to it! Thanks
When I do finally read it, I'll try to check back in on this comment and tell you what I thought of the book. Also awesome breakdown of Sheep btw, didn't catch the cyclical element of it. Thanks for your donation once again mate!
So he did? I always suspected as much, ever since One of these days. Whatever Waters’ talents are, he isn’t much of a musician. A bit of a lumberjack when it comes to actually playing an instrument. There again, without Waters’ vision Gilmour would’ve been just any guitar player. The whole was always so much bigger than the sum of its parts with the Floyd.
In my opinion Dogs we’re Business Men, Pigs were Politicians and Sheep were the Masses of people that aren’t willing to think freely enough to escape their own prison
I'm an absolute Floyd fanatic and saw them live in 94 at Earls Court in the iconic Pulse Tour..!! Which visually and musically will never ever be beaten as the GREATEST LIVE CONCERT OF ALL TIME BAR NONE..!! Animals is Pink Floyd's GREATEST ALBUM MASTERPIECE, Which considering DSOTM, WYWH AND MANY MANY OTHERS fantastic albums speaks volumes but with Roger's lyrics and story telling and the whole bands musical sound for this one album will never ever be bettered..!! The absolute PINNACLE OF MUSIC..!! Literally the GREATEST ALBUM EVER IN THE UNIVERSE OF MUSIC..!!
Syeed what I want to do is heap down huge amounts of praise towards you personally from a person who has brought the 'Best Ever Dissection and Pure Genius of your understanding and Kudos of explanation of Pink Floyd's music from a top of the class head and shoulders above any other UA-cam crtices of Pink Floyd's music..!! Your insight and comments about Floyd's concepts and style of their music is by far the GREATEST I HAVE EVER HEARD MY FRIEND..!! You are truly masterful in your dissection of their Absolute Top of The Class compare and style of Floyd's music and their composition of their albums backcatalouge..!! Is by far and truly MASTERFUL, In fact if it was down to a numerous Floyd conniserues of your top of the class critique of their style, live, music, albums, narrative which is makes you an absolute no brainer as the best on screen EVER..!! So THANK YOU AND KEEP THE FAITH IN THE EXCELLENCE YOU ARE BRINGING TO THE MASSES OF PINK FLOYD FANS..!!
Syed, I waited until you finished your reaction and analysis of Animals until I responded. I think this series was your best album reaction thus far, and I appreciate you making me think deeper about this work of art. I agree with you favoring "Dogs" and think this album is slightly overlooked because of the length of its songs. There's no hit song here, just a piece of brilliant music. Your ranking of Pink Floyd albums is the order in which they were created. I slightly prefer Wish You Were Here, but otherwise I like them in the same order. "Dark Side of the Moon" is many people's choice for the greatest album ever. My personal choice for greatest ever is also a very popular one, it's the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street", which is an awesome double album of blues, country and gospel flavored rock and roll. It's the Rolling Stones at their PEAK. Other choices for greatest album ever that I couldn't argue with: Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here" Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" The Who "Who's Next" Led Zeppelin 4th untitled album The Beatles. "Revolver" These bands are gods among all the rock bands in history, and anyone who loves rock music needs to take a deep dive into ALL 5 of them. Your frustration over fade outs during great solos is understandable. Keep in mind that vinyl albums limited artists to about 23 minutes per side. Plus, I've read that artists often held back some of their solos because it was a way to offer their audience something new in their songs during concerts. If a song is expanded and enhanced by a longer solo, it's often thrilling to an audience. Keep doing what you're doing. You're the best.
Always drop this comment in the way of analysis for Sheep: In the context of the album's cast of human animality, we are all some degree of amalgamation combining the three animals... On to the compositional subtlety and genius of the music itself... SHEEP: Everyone hears the grim tether of fate return as the 'drowning stone' motif from Dogs reappears in Sheep. But this is more than it appears. They drop the stone motif into the water of the musical palette of Sheep where it ripples into an echo - referencing that earlier work from Meddle, and depicting that the fate of the sheep is tied to and echoes the fate of the dogs. Even further, the chaotic crash and fade at the end of each verse where the voice fades into synth is an adaptation of the motif that first appears in the later section of Saucerful of Secrets where there is a series of buildups - albeit instrumental - that end in chaotic crashes. This idea also occurs instrumentally in "On The Run" from DSOTM. The bass rhythm comes from One of These Days. Here is another Floyd factoid... Although everyone hears the return of the Stone motif, almost no one hears the return of the 'dog-whistle' from the instrumental section of Dogs [HOW APROPOS] It is not conjectured to say that the "Here Boy" motif is pivotal when it reappears (reworked before the recitation of the psalm) in the descending diminished chord two-note guitar riff. The point? Dog whistles are covert coercion by the oppressors and are not meant to be heard overtly. These are a few examples of the sophisticated and masterful simplicity and elegance of Pink Floyd's compositional techniques. They are unrivaled in the cohesion of their work.
I love how Floyd draws from, and builds on, themes from it's prior catalogue. I hear influences from "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict" among others in Sheep. Mother is basically Pigs on the Wing, just tweaked a bit. Pink Floyd IS their own genre of music.
I don't know anyone who could figure the voice box vocals without having the lyric sheet in front of them. Again brilliant instrumental breaks and outro. Masterpiece. Thanks Syed. Keep listening.
Would kinda like to see you check out a couple songs from their '74 live set, 'You Gotta be Crazy' and 'Raving and Drooling'. These songs were played along with an early version of 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond'. The two songs were early versions of Dogs and Sheep, and in their live rotation before Wish You Were Here was even released.
I've listened to this song many times and it's so complex and great,it sounds different every time,the bass playing is really standing out this go around
F64 from Texas. Howdy! I absolutely love your reactions. You always make me think differently about the music I’ve held dear for about 50 years now. Especially Pink Floyd reactions. I never connected the “prayer” to represent using religion to influence the common people. Love it! Thanks for great content!
Thanks for that great reaction! I liked your analysis and thought it spot on. Regarding the "rankings": As a fan for well over 40 years I can say that my 'rankings' change with my moods and circumstances. And that, to me, is the true sign of their greatness; whatever your state, there is a PF soundscape waiting to accompany you.
The book Animal Farm continues to be controversial due to themes of the masses rising up against the ruling class. It has been banned in many southern states in the US as it is seen by some white nationalists as a message to black Americans. Bans are mostly in high schools. Orwell himself wrote it as a criticism of the UKs alliance with the Soviet Union during WWII. He was anti-Stalin. PF produced a masterful rendition of Orwell’s book.
Back in the day when Animals was released many people had " eight track" tape cassettes to play music on at home and in their cars. In order to fit the song Pigs on the Wing in properly with the tape, Floyd combined both parts into one song with a gorgeous David Gilmore lead tying them together. It's on UA-cam and worth checking out.
A masterpiece album who’s theme is sadly still applicable to day. The cutthroat businessmen, the greedy corporations and governments manipulating us all, and the regular people so afraid of change they accept their exploitation. The musicianship is phenomenal and really communicates the feeling and drier of each song, bookended with a beautiful and whimsical little love song. Definitely the one of the most unique, and definitely the angriest, sounding album of their career; you can really here how it’s a middle ground in the transition in sound from WYWH to The Wall
Great reaction and insights. A new interpretation just occured to me that this album is almost like a prequel to the book. It shows the problems of the system in place, which then leads to revolt, only for the previous pigs to be replaced by "pigs on the wing." There's always more pigs waiting to take control, and the other animals fall into their places, so in effect, the system doesn't change. Pretty bleak to be honest, but I do feel like this album does fit a little bit of hope in the darkness.
Bass was played by Gilmour. He played a lot of the bass work on the album because Roger wasn’t that comfortable playing a fretless bass. What’s great about this song is that the Sheep do wake up in the end. It’s Roger’s warning to the Sheep first and the oppressors second should the Sheep awaken.
Roger played rhythm guitar on most of the album including this song, and bass on Dogs, and did most of the tape effects. So really plenty of the music came from him, along with composing. Of course Rick & David did the more fancy lead playing as per usual. All of them were intrinsic.
@@James-lk2sg Depends whether being a musician is all about fancy playing (Gilmour wins there), or composing and understanding music (which Waters clearly does, he also more recently composed an opera) is part of it.
@@chrissimpson6017 Almost anyone can write ( create) a song. Fact is that most great rock and pop composers can’t read or write a word of music and know nothing about music theory. Also true to say that there is no bad song..... only bad playing and / or bad arrangements. In the end, guitar players should only be judged on their playing skills and writers judged only on their finnished and arranged product...... but not as musicians. Let their real musicianship be the only criteria used to rate their musicianship.
That voice (Roger) to synth blend you referred to was David’s idea. I recently saw Roger on tour and this is the song (my personal favorite) he features from Animals. Listening to that effect performed live was a spine-tingling!
I love the triumphalism of Gilmour's guitar solo at the end of Sheep. And then the return to the bucolic noises of the countryside. There's always hope.
I think the greatest album run of all time is Stevie Wonder 1972 to 1976. in the span of five years, Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life. Three of them won Grammys for Album of the Year but Floyd's run has to be considered
Nice album reaction Syed. Meddle is the next beloved Pink Floyd album you haven’t hit yet. You’re already familiar with the whole second side of the album, Echoes, but the first side is still amazing.
@@James-lk2sg I like them, too. I just wouldn't call those tracks amazing. I have tried and tried, but I really cannot get on with their 60s stuff. For me, Pink Floyd starts with Meddle.
Stumbled back on your reaction to Sheep and rewatched it. I like how at your first pause you said, "This is different in sound, it's not as cold or evil. Something is building in the background though. The beginning was kind of harmless in nature..." And then the first 3 lines of the song: Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air You better watch out And we go through life doing with our daily routine, and I do think most have that gnawing sense of something's not right buried deep inside them. It might be time to learn karate.
Never noticed at the end you only hear sounds of the sheep and pigs. And the sheep it seems have been transformed into something less... sheepish? Great job Syed. Great analysis! And I agree with something said earlier in chat.. one thing that has come out over the years is that Roger got a lot more credit for his bass playing than he was due. It was Gilmour playing bass on most of these tracks. How they finagled that in the credits I'll never know. But Gilmour said in an interview once that Roger would jokingly thank him for winning him another best bass player award in some musicians magazine. I gotta think revelations such as these didn't do much to help with their post separation relationship. 😏
As a hardcore Bob Dylan fan, my subjective vote for greatest album run would be Freewheelin(1963)-Blonde on Blonde(1966). Three S-tier folk albums and then three S-tier rock albums. But from an objective standpoint it would be hard to argue with Floyd (1973-79) and Rolling Stones (1968-72).
Don’t dismiss “The Final Cut”, it is basically a Roger solo album under the Pink Floyd name, haunting and dark with tracks which didn’t make it on to the Wall album.
@@79BlackRose it's a repeating lie, that many believe as a true. It's not they were worse and didn't make it to the wall. Their theme didn't match. Final Cut is all about war, The Wall is about schizophrenia.
And BTW, go and listen to The Wall demo, work in progress or how they call these first versions. They are so bad, even comfortable numb sounds bad. At this stage, everything apart from Waters' alternative album beginning, which sounds great, was changed to other album opening. But rest of demo materiak was awful, yet they turned it into masterpiece
@@79BlackRose They are good just didn’t fit in the album’s narrative, you can only take so much of Roger’s bleak, dad gone, war, sorrow, gloom and death writing. It has a unfinished and hurried feel, like some tracks had effort put into them and the others just a form of filler material and “that’s good enough” hence The Final Cut.
That prayer that you're reading is actually kind of a parody of the 23rd psalm in the Bible. If you read the 23rd psalm you'll see the similarity in what he's saying!
To me this is the pinnacle of Floyd and listening to this albumb now highlights the gaps that begin to appear in the wall and the excesses of Waters both lyrically and musically.
I'm new to your channel but so far I am really enjoying your views on the music you've listened to so far. You wondered at one point if an artist like Roger Waters could do as well today and I would have to say yes. When people get introduced to greatness such as this they all seem to react positively.
The final part is played to the rhythm of Tarantella...a folcloric and popular dance from Southern Italy 🇮🇹. The Sheeps have eliminated the oppressor Dogs and so they celebrate 🎉🎊🥁 DAVID GILMOUR on bass !!! 🎸😍😍😍
The wall is weaker than the final cut in my opinion, but animals and dark side of the moon are their best albums. Wywh a distant third followed by momentary lapse which is close to my heart because it was one of my first cds and reminds me of good teen years in gh3 late 80s getting more mature and enjoying life with my friends. Floyd along for that ride every day. Meddle good, atom heart mother good. Division bell okay, waters amused to death 1982 a masterpiece, radio Kaos Suso so close to my heart. Played that album countless times.
A great reaction and interpretation of the concept, well done. I see there's always a debate about Waters and Gilmour. I also see quite a number of people referring to Waters just as a lyricist. You may not like Waters for his views but it's not fair to be dismissive about his massive contribution to the major Pink Floy albums including Animals. Here's a section from Wikipedia on Animals: 'With the exception of "Dogs" (co-written by David Gilmour) the album's five tracks were written by Waters. Gilmour was distracted by the birth of his first child, and contributed little else towards the songwriting of the album. Similarly, neither Mason nor Wright contributed as much as they had on previous albums, and Animals was the first Pink Floyd album not to contain a composer's credit for Wright.[7] The band had discussed employing another guitarist for future tours, and Snowy White was therefore invited into the studio. When Waters and Mason inadvertently erased one of Gilmour's completed guitar solos, White was asked to record a solo on "Pigs on the Wing". Although his performance was omitted from the vinyl release, it was included on the 8-track cartridge version. White later performed on the Animals tour.[3] Mason recalled that he enjoyed working on Animals more than he had on Wish You Were Here.[8] '
OK now on to The Final Cut! I think you will really enjoy it especially being a history buff. Can't wait, thanks. Have you ever considered delving into Alice Cooper? You might be surprised.
When I was in high school, my senior paper was on the most influential guitarists. I choose Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page. But as a guitarist myself, Gilmour is by far my favorite. He is criminally underrated. He doesn't display the "chops" or technical skill that those three do, but his phrasing and ability to convey emotion is so much better than anyone I've heard before. There's a lot of things I would give up that would seem important to just about every other human on this planet to be able to play like him.
Brilliant ending to one of the best concept albums ever. I agree, Meddle through The Wall is as good an album run as anyone, legendary music like the Beatles (66 - 69), Led Zeppelin (entire catalog), Black Sabbath (first 6 albums), the Rolling Stones (Mick Taylor era) or the Who (Tommy through Who Are You). You have much more to experience, I look forward to it. Nice job as always, Rock On! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
I truly believe that the "leaders" of this world should be required to know and recite this entire record, along with other work of Waters, such as: Echos (Meddle), and Us & Them (Dark Side). Why? Because there'd be no more war.
This whole album is about being true to yourself. Pigs On The Wing Pt 1 is about going out in the world to find yourself, Pigs On The Wing Pt 2 is about finding your way back to what's truly important. These are very short tracks but very important to the balance of life's realities (the Animal Farm we all live in).
Culprits in complacency, I believe you are looking for there.... Great reaction, enjoyed seeing another humans reaction to this amazing album. Anyone else think Pink Floyd's music was mischatacterized as "Psychedelic"?
That's not the way I see it. You "grow old" by staying home. In other words, it's the tortoise who wins the race not the hare. Pigs On The Wings Pt 2 is about the value of life, whereas Pigs On The Wing Pt 1 is about the road to selfishness. "Stay home" is a metaphor about staying true to yourself, and not giving in to the ways of the world.
The effect when the scream turns into the musical instrument sound? Roger does it again in the song The Gunner's Dream, "Hold on to the dreaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (dream morphis into musical instrument sound).
The beginning sound is Pastoral. Animals and The Wall are straight from the mind of Waters anti-establishment bent. The death of his father in the second world war opened his eyes to the coldness of authority. I think he took control of the lyrical direction at this time and the other guys in the band weren't so keen about this cynical direction. You should check out some of his great solo work! Great review of this album.
The only album run better than Pink Floyd in the 70s would be Rubber Soul - Revolver - Sgt. Pepper's - Magical Mystery Tour - The White Album - Abbey Road. Nothing else comes even close in my opinion.
Dogs were the lower level management, who could make or break your future. Pigs were the CEOs and the Elite of society. And Sheep, as mentioned below. The average employee, who just do as they are told. But defend those above them at all cost. Afraid to speak out and hope that by kissing up. They can better themselves in life ( which of course never happens, because they are too afraid to really do anything to make that happen )
Sheep, the people in society walking around with the heads in the sand, never paying attention to anything going around them. And yes, it screws up every chance for the rest of who do pay attention. Because we cant get them to act with us. Afraid to lose their position in society & at work too.
Wow never thought of it as the slaughter house I thought it sounded like a train headed to an extermination camp. And the lords prayer verse Could very well have been a sheeps prayer
The album is not based directly on the story of Animal Farm, rather on the concept and themes of anthropromorphized barnyard animals used to represent societal classes present in the book.
The Wall beat album of PF with Dark side of the moon,One of these days fabulous track ......but SHEEP is their beat song....the most perfect one....even l don't like so much the album
Syed please listen to meddle In its entirety Then listen to Obscured by clouds Two great alvums during their creative peak I also highly recommend You go back and do piper at the gates of dawn Thats the beginning
Orwell was a Socialist, not a Marxist. ‘Animal Farm’ was a study of the failure of the Soviet Revolution to live up to its own high ideals. The animals revolt and take the farm from the humans. Humans are enemies, and all animals are equal. Gradually the pigs rise to control. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Finally, the pigs are masters, they socialize with humans, and there is no difference between them. “Meet the new Boss; same as the old Boss.”
Miserably accurate of George Orwell ‘s Animal Farm and 1984 and the reality of right now in our lives Dec 2022- sheep being lead to slaughter / war- thanks for the review.
Have you seen The Wall movie yet? I think it would give you a better appreciation of that album. For me, the Wall is number 1. I have probably seen that movie over 100 times. And i dont watch any movie more than once, ever - except the Wall.
Yeah, well, it’s still happening. Keep your eye on Braverman, the ERG, and what they propose to do about the little boats. It concerns you too when it comes to basic human rights.
Bleating and babbling, we fell on his neck with a scream Wave upon wave of demented avengers March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream My favorite verse on the album. Animal farm is not a children's book. 😆
Animal Farm is absolutely not a kids book. This book is no cartoon. It is extremely serious but told in a deceiving innocent manner. All the themes are adult themes.
You like how they use animals in their music? You ain't heard nothing yet. Early Pink Floyd - Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict.
You’re definitely right that the album has a Marxist/socialist slant , but the novel is actually from the opposite perspective (criticism of communism). So you’re definitely right that the ideas are inspired by the ideas of Animal Farm but not necessarily based on it
( ELTON JOHN ) SYED 😊 BETWEEN 71-75, NOBODYYYYY CAME CLOSE TO ELTON, ( 7 ) STR88888 MULTI PLATINUM ALBUMS😊STARTING WITH ( TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION ) AND GOING THROUGH ( CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY ) 😊 ANYWAY, WHEN IT COMES TO CONCEPT ALBUMS HELLLLLL NO, PINK FLOYD HANDS DOWN THE BEST, WHO WAS EVEN CLOSE TO THEM! 😊
The concept behind the song sheep is about cognitive dissonance. People who choose not to believe what is obvious in front of them so as to preserve their comfort zone.
I saw an interview with Gilmour once and he said thought Animals was a perfect opera. It absolutely has all the ingredients, IMHO, their best work
Undoubtedly..
I love the stone, stone, stone reprise from Dogs. Never realised it was there until someone pointed it out. Generally, I love all the small stuff that goes on in the background. Every little bit contributes as much as the main stuff. Nice reference to what sheep are about.
You are one sharp cookie!! Yes some very cool effects and transitions in this "tune". Floyd is still my favorite. Probably did one too many hallucinogens while listening to them. 😊 It's all good. Still kicking and listening 40 years later. These guys have always kept me briefed as I made my way through life, from the practical point of view. I kept my spirituality by listening to The Moody Blues. The Moody Blues bring wisdom to the table. These two groups are all you need to understand, and go through life. The rest are simply damn good entertainment, to keep out the boredom, as you understand, and participate, with what's taking place.
To me this is Floyd at their greatest. Water's lyrics are dead on, just perfect and Gilmour's guitar, especially at the end may be the greatest outro I have ever heard.
This Album def had some of Roger's greatest and creative writing. Nasty and beautiful at the same time.
Great reaction!
Btw, "Animal Farm" is generally read by high school or secondary school kids but it is decidedly not a kids book. The themes are layered and engaging to all depending upon how deep one is inclined to dive. Many a masters degree thesis has been written on the book.
Animal Farm and 1984...and here we are...
I doubt they teach it to kids these days as it would go against the narrative.
@@ashyclaret I’m in highschool and I was actually taught this book this year
Great reaction Syed.
I will say, I think the last verse of Sheep is referring to the cyclical nature of class dynamics. Often you have revolutions by the sheep (France, Russia), where the sheep ultimately succeed only to become pigs in a new system thats basically the same.
Also, the animals album was rereleased recently with far better sound mixing. If you ever revisit the album check that one out (2018 version, but released this year, oddly.)
Lastly, I do want to hear your thoughts on the novel when you eventually read it. Not sure if that belongs in this channel, but look forward to it! Thanks
Factual
"Meet the new boss....Same as the old boss..."
When I do finally read it, I'll try to check back in on this comment and tell you what I thought of the book.
Also awesome breakdown of Sheep btw, didn't catch the cyclical element of it.
Thanks for your donation once again mate!
I am a Waters fan, but can’t deny Gilmour’s superior talent with all instruments, including the bass which he played on this song.
I never knew he played bass on this, thanks for the info.
So he did? I always suspected as much, ever since One of these days. Whatever Waters’ talents are, he isn’t much of a musician. A bit of a lumberjack when it comes to actually playing an instrument.
There again, without Waters’ vision Gilmour would’ve been just any guitar player. The whole was always so much bigger than the sum of its parts with the Floyd.
In my opinion Dogs we’re Business Men, Pigs were Politicians and Sheep were the Masses of people that aren’t willing to think freely enough to escape their own prison
Agreed
I believe this to be accurate
my favourite outro of all time
I'm an absolute Floyd fanatic and saw them live in 94 at Earls Court in the iconic Pulse Tour..!! Which visually and musically will never ever be beaten as the GREATEST LIVE CONCERT OF ALL TIME BAR NONE..!! Animals is Pink Floyd's GREATEST ALBUM MASTERPIECE, Which considering DSOTM, WYWH AND MANY MANY OTHERS fantastic albums speaks volumes but with Roger's lyrics and story telling and the whole bands musical sound for this one album will never ever be bettered..!! The absolute PINNACLE OF MUSIC..!! Literally the GREATEST ALBUM EVER IN THE UNIVERSE OF MUSIC..!!
Syeed what I want to do is heap down huge amounts of praise towards you personally from a person who has brought the 'Best Ever Dissection and Pure Genius of your understanding and Kudos of explanation of Pink Floyd's music from a top of the class head and shoulders above any other UA-cam crtices of Pink Floyd's music..!! Your insight and comments about Floyd's concepts and style of their music is by far the GREATEST I HAVE EVER HEARD MY FRIEND..!! You are truly masterful in your dissection of their Absolute Top of The Class compare and style of Floyd's music and their composition of their albums backcatalouge..!! Is by far and truly MASTERFUL, In fact if it was down to a numerous Floyd conniserues of your top of the class critique of their style, live, music, albums, narrative which is makes you an absolute no brainer as the best on screen EVER..!! So THANK YOU AND KEEP THE FAITH IN THE EXCELLENCE YOU ARE BRINGING TO THE MASSES OF PINK FLOYD FANS..!!
Syed, I waited until you finished your reaction and analysis of Animals until I responded. I think this series was your best album reaction thus far, and I appreciate you making me think deeper about this work of art.
I agree with you favoring "Dogs" and think this album is slightly overlooked because of the length of its songs. There's no hit song here, just a piece of brilliant music.
Your ranking of Pink Floyd albums is the order in which they were created.
I slightly prefer Wish You Were Here, but otherwise I like them in the same order.
"Dark Side of the Moon" is many people's choice for the greatest album ever. My personal choice for greatest ever is also a very popular one, it's the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street", which is an awesome double album of blues, country and gospel flavored rock and roll. It's the Rolling Stones at their PEAK.
Other choices for greatest album ever that I couldn't argue with:
Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"
and "Wish You Were Here"
Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers"
The Who "Who's Next"
Led Zeppelin 4th untitled album
The Beatles. "Revolver"
These bands are gods among all the rock bands in history, and anyone who loves rock music needs to take a deep dive into ALL 5 of them.
Your frustration over fade outs during great solos is understandable. Keep in mind that vinyl albums limited artists to about 23 minutes per side.
Plus, I've read that artists often held back some of their solos because it was a way to offer their audience something new in their songs during concerts. If a song is expanded and enhanced by a longer solo, it's often thrilling to an audience.
Keep doing what you're doing.
You're the best.
@@iaincochrane8741 Yes, lain. We were blessed with the greatest music ever!
On Animals Roger played bass on "Dogs" and I played bass on "Sheep" and "Pigs."..- David Gilmour, 1998 Great job mate.Cheers
Always drop this comment in the way of analysis for Sheep:
In the context of the album's cast of human animality, we are all some degree of amalgamation combining the three animals... On to the compositional subtlety and genius of the music itself... SHEEP: Everyone hears the grim tether of fate return as the 'drowning stone' motif from Dogs reappears in Sheep. But this is more than it appears. They drop the stone motif into the water of the musical palette of Sheep where it ripples into an echo - referencing that earlier work from Meddle, and depicting that the fate of the sheep is tied to and echoes the fate of the dogs. Even further, the chaotic crash and fade at the end of each verse where the voice fades into synth is an adaptation of the motif that first appears in the later section of Saucerful of Secrets where there is a series of buildups - albeit instrumental - that end in chaotic crashes. This idea also occurs instrumentally in "On The Run" from DSOTM. The bass rhythm comes from One of These Days. Here is another Floyd factoid... Although everyone hears the return of the Stone motif, almost no one hears the return of the 'dog-whistle' from the instrumental section of Dogs [HOW APROPOS] It is not conjectured to say that the "Here Boy" motif is pivotal when it reappears (reworked before the recitation of the psalm) in the descending diminished chord two-note guitar riff. The point? Dog whistles are covert coercion by the oppressors and are not meant to be heard overtly. These are a few examples of the sophisticated and masterful simplicity and elegance of Pink Floyd's compositional techniques. They are unrivaled in the cohesion of their work.
I love how Floyd draws from, and builds on, themes from it's prior catalogue.
I hear influences from "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict" among others in Sheep.
Mother is basically Pigs on the Wing, just tweaked a bit.
Pink Floyd IS their own genre of music.
I don't know anyone who could figure the voice box vocals without having the lyric sheet in front of them. Again brilliant instrumental breaks and outro. Masterpiece. Thanks Syed. Keep listening.
Would kinda like to see you check out a couple songs from their '74 live set, 'You Gotta be Crazy' and 'Raving and Drooling'. These songs were played along with an early version of 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond'. The two songs were early versions of Dogs and Sheep, and in their live rotation before Wish You Were Here was even released.
This is the best use of the bass to instill a sense of subtle menace I've ever heard.
I've listened to this song many times and it's so complex and great,it sounds different every time,the bass playing is really standing out this go around
F64 from Texas. Howdy! I absolutely love your reactions. You always make me think differently about the music I’ve held dear for about 50 years now. Especially Pink Floyd reactions. I never connected the “prayer” to represent using religion to influence the common people. Love it! Thanks for great content!
One of the greatest albums ever conceived and recorded.
A Peak of Roger's incredible album concepts and writing with PF. Nasty and Beautiful all at the same time.
Thanks for that great reaction! I liked your analysis and thought it spot on. Regarding the "rankings": As a fan for well over 40 years I can say that my 'rankings' change with my moods and circumstances. And that, to me, is the true sign of their greatness; whatever your state, there is a PF soundscape waiting to accompany you.
The book Animal Farm continues to be controversial due to themes of the masses rising up against the ruling class. It has been banned in many southern states in the US as it is seen by some white nationalists as a message to black Americans. Bans are mostly in high schools. Orwell himself wrote it as a criticism of the UKs alliance with the Soviet Union during WWII. He was anti-Stalin. PF produced a masterful rendition of Orwell’s book.
Back in the day when Animals was released many people had " eight track" tape cassettes to play music on at home and in their cars. In order to fit the song Pigs on the Wing in properly with the tape, Floyd combined both parts into one song with a gorgeous David Gilmore lead tying them together. It's on UA-cam and worth checking out.
Snowy White played that solo.
Rolling Stones run of albums from Beggar's Banquet to Goat Heads Soup is pretty epic. This run of Floyd albums is among the best ever as well..
Sheep is my favorite track on this album and in the top 5 of Floyd all time
Until reaction videos came along, I never knew a single person who loved listening to music and wanted to read along with the lyrics.
A masterpiece album who’s theme is sadly still applicable to day. The cutthroat businessmen, the greedy corporations and governments manipulating us all, and the regular people so afraid of change they accept their exploitation. The musicianship is phenomenal and really communicates the feeling and drier of each song, bookended with a beautiful and whimsical little love song. Definitely the one of the most unique, and definitely the angriest, sounding album of their career; you can really here how it’s a middle ground in the transition in sound from WYWH to The Wall
Great reaction and insights. A new interpretation just occured to me that this album is almost like a prequel to the book. It shows the problems of the system in place, which then leads to revolt, only for the previous pigs to be replaced by "pigs on the wing." There's always more pigs waiting to take control, and the other animals fall into their places, so in effect, the system doesn't change. Pretty bleak to be honest, but I do feel like this album does fit a little bit of hope in the darkness.
Bass was played by Gilmour. He played a lot of the bass work on the album because Roger wasn’t that comfortable playing a fretless bass. What’s great about this song is that the Sheep do wake up in the end. It’s Roger’s warning to the Sheep first and the oppressors second should the Sheep awaken.
Gilmour really was the musician, with Roger more so the writer.
Roger played rhythm guitar on most of the album including this song, and bass on Dogs, and did most of the tape effects. So really plenty of the music came from him, along with composing. Of course Rick & David did the more fancy lead playing as per usual. All of them were intrinsic.
@@James-lk2sg Depends whether being a musician is all about fancy playing (Gilmour wins there), or composing and understanding music (which Waters clearly does, he also more recently composed an opera) is part of it.
@@chrissimpson6017 Almost anyone can write ( create) a song.
Fact is that most great rock and pop composers can’t read or write a word of music and know nothing about music theory.
Also true to say that there is no bad song..... only bad playing and / or bad arrangements.
In the end, guitar players should only be judged on their playing skills and writers judged only on their finnished and arranged product...... but not as musicians.
Let their real musicianship be the only criteria used to rate their musicianship.
@@James-lk2sg That is the legend mostly because so many do not like Waters politics .. Favouritism.. Anything to chip Roger down a bit ,,
That voice (Roger) to synth blend you referred to was David’s idea. I recently saw Roger on tour and this is the song (my personal favorite) he features from Animals. Listening to that effect performed live was a spine-tingling!
I love the triumphalism of Gilmour's guitar solo at the end of Sheep. And then the return to the bucolic noises of the countryside. There's always hope.
We are the sheep
I think the greatest album run of all time is Stevie Wonder 1972 to 1976. in the span of five years, Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life. Three of them won Grammys for Album of the Year but Floyd's run has to be considered
Nice album reaction Syed. Meddle is the next beloved Pink Floyd album you haven’t hit yet. You’re already familiar with the whole second side of the album, Echoes, but the first side is still amazing.
For me, the only amazing song on side A of Meddle is "One of These Days".
@@79BlackRose I like them all. Seamus is basically a joke song but I still like it in it’s own dumb way.
@@James-lk2sg I like them, too. I just wouldn't call those tracks amazing. I have tried and tried, but I really cannot get on with their 60s stuff. For me, Pink Floyd starts with Meddle.
Fearless has always ranked as one of my odd Floyd favorites. Also need to hit Atom Heart Mother to continue to fill out the Floyd landscape.
Side 1 of Meddle belongs to one era of Pink Floyd, Side 2 another.
Stumbled back on your reaction to Sheep and rewatched it. I like how at your first pause you said, "This is different in sound, it's not as cold or evil. Something is building in the background though. The beginning was kind of harmless in nature..."
And then the first 3 lines of the song:
Hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
And we go through life doing with our daily routine, and I do think most have that gnawing sense of something's not right buried deep inside them. It might be time to learn karate.
If you listen to the outro carefully you'll hear the drum sequence change each time. This is what I love abut Floyd, little details.
Never noticed at the end you only hear sounds of the sheep and pigs. And the sheep it seems have been transformed into something less... sheepish? Great job Syed. Great analysis! And I agree with something said earlier in chat.. one thing that has come out over the years is that Roger got a lot more credit for his bass playing than he was due. It was Gilmour playing bass on most of these tracks. How they finagled that in the credits I'll never know. But Gilmour said in an interview once that Roger would jokingly thank him for winning him another best bass player award in some musicians magazine. I gotta think revelations such as these didn't do much to help with their post separation relationship. 😏
As a hardcore Bob Dylan fan, my subjective vote for greatest album run would be Freewheelin(1963)-Blonde on Blonde(1966). Three S-tier folk albums and then three S-tier rock albums. But from an objective standpoint it would be hard to argue with Floyd (1973-79) and Rolling Stones (1968-72).
Don’t dismiss “The Final Cut”, it is basically a Roger solo album under the Pink Floyd name, haunting and dark with tracks which didn’t make it on to the Wall album.
Yeah, they didn't made it on to The Wall because they were not good enough.
I would love that but predarkside floyd should be first there are a lot of great underrated tracks in the late 60s and early 70s
@@79BlackRose it's a repeating lie, that many believe as a true. It's not they were worse and didn't make it to the wall. Their theme didn't match. Final Cut is all about war, The Wall is about schizophrenia.
And BTW, go and listen to The Wall demo, work in progress or how they call these first versions. They are so bad, even comfortable numb sounds bad. At this stage, everything apart from Waters' alternative album beginning, which sounds great, was changed to other album opening. But rest of demo materiak was awful, yet they turned it into masterpiece
@@79BlackRose They are good just didn’t fit in the album’s narrative, you can only take so much of Roger’s bleak, dad gone, war, sorrow, gloom and death writing. It has a unfinished and hurried feel, like some tracks had effort put into them and the others just a form of filler material and “that’s good enough” hence The Final Cut.
Industry politicians. The masses
That prayer that you're reading is actually kind of a parody of the 23rd psalm in the Bible. If you read the 23rd psalm you'll see the similarity in what he's saying!
Sheep is Floyd's greatest masterpiece. Truly monumental,
This whole album is fantastic. My favorite song from it changes to whichever one I'm listening to at the time.
Me too......l always listen to SHEEP when it pops up on Y TUbe
Sheep started out as Raving and Drooling, there's a great version on the Live at Ivor Wynne Stadium audio recording.
You MUST see him live! Roger Waters will be in London on June 6, 2023. Great show, great visuals! Sheep was a highlight of the tour for me!
Syed…you need to check out the live version of Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who from 78 Shepperton. Please pick the right one.
To me this is the pinnacle of Floyd and listening to this albumb now highlights the gaps that begin to appear in the wall and the excesses of Waters both lyrically and musically.
I'm new to your channel but so far I am really enjoying your views on the music you've listened to so far. You wondered at one point if an artist like Roger Waters could do as well today and I would have to say yes. When people get introduced to greatness such as this they all seem to react positively.
The final part is played to the rhythm of Tarantella...a folcloric and popular dance from Southern Italy 🇮🇹.
The Sheeps have eliminated the oppressor Dogs and so they celebrate 🎉🎊🥁
DAVID GILMOUR on bass !!! 🎸😍😍😍
You have listen to their first album. Piper at the gates of dawn. It was Syd Barrett who kicked started the band !
The wall is weaker than the final cut in my opinion, but animals and dark side of the moon are their best albums. Wywh a distant third followed by momentary lapse which is close to my heart because it was one of my first cds and reminds me of good teen years in gh3 late 80s getting more mature and enjoying life with my friends. Floyd along for that ride every day. Meddle good, atom heart mother good. Division bell okay, waters amused to death 1982 a masterpiece, radio Kaos Suso so close to my heart. Played that album countless times.
A great reaction and interpretation of the concept, well done.
I see there's always a debate about Waters and Gilmour. I also see quite a number of people referring to Waters just as a lyricist. You may not like Waters for his views but it's not fair to be dismissive about his massive contribution to the major Pink Floy albums including Animals.
Here's a section from Wikipedia on Animals:
'With the exception of "Dogs" (co-written by David Gilmour) the album's five tracks were written by Waters.
Gilmour was distracted by the birth of his first child, and contributed little else towards the songwriting of the album. Similarly, neither Mason nor Wright contributed as much as they had on previous albums, and Animals was the first Pink Floyd album not to contain a composer's credit for Wright.[7]
The band had discussed employing another guitarist for future tours, and Snowy White was therefore invited into the studio. When Waters and Mason inadvertently erased one of Gilmour's completed guitar solos, White was asked to record a solo on "Pigs on the Wing". Although his performance was omitted from the vinyl release, it was included on the 8-track cartridge version. White later performed on the Animals tour.[3] Mason recalled that he enjoyed working on Animals more than he had on Wish You Were Here.[8] '
OK now on to The Final Cut! I think you will really enjoy it especially being a history buff. Can't wait, thanks. Have you ever considered delving into Alice Cooper? You might be surprised.
When I was in high school, my senior paper was on the most influential guitarists. I choose Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page. But as a guitarist myself, Gilmour is by far my favorite. He is criminally underrated. He doesn't display the "chops" or technical skill that those three do, but his phrasing and ability to convey emotion is so much better than anyone I've heard before. There's a lot of things I would give up that would seem important to just about every other human on this planet to be able to play like him.
Lynyrd Skynyrd had a run of 6 great albums in 5 short years, including the great live album.
Give a listen to the Division Bell and David gilmour on an island albums...love your channel by the way
Brilliant ending to one of the best concept albums ever. I agree, Meddle through The Wall is as good an album run as anyone, legendary music like the Beatles (66 - 69), Led Zeppelin (entire catalog), Black Sabbath (first 6 albums), the Rolling Stones (Mick Taylor era) or the Who (Tommy through Who Are You). You have much more to experience, I look forward to it. Nice job as always, Rock On! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Yay! That was fun.
Prolly listened to this 3 times lol!
I truly believe that the "leaders" of this world should be required to know and recite this entire record, along with other work of Waters, such as: Echos (Meddle), and Us & Them (Dark Side). Why? Because there'd be no more war.
This whole album is about being true to yourself. Pigs On The Wing Pt 1 is about going out in the world to find yourself, Pigs On The Wing Pt 2 is about finding your way back to what's truly important. These are very short tracks but very important to the balance of life's realities (the Animal Farm we all live in).
A special mention to Nick Masons superb drumming throughout…..
Culprits in complacency, I believe you are looking for there.... Great reaction, enjoyed seeing another humans reaction to this amazing album.
Anyone else think Pink Floyd's music was mischatacterized as "Psychedelic"?
I read that false hope too, as if the sheep "rise up", only to remain as they were, staying home and doing as they're told is their ultimate takeaway.
That's not the way I see it. You "grow old" by staying home. In other words, it's the tortoise who wins the race not the hare. Pigs On The Wings Pt 2 is about the value of life, whereas Pigs On The Wing Pt 1 is about the road to selfishness. "Stay home" is a metaphor about staying true to yourself, and not giving in to the ways of the world.
The effect when the scream turns into the musical instrument sound? Roger does it again in the song The Gunner's Dream, "Hold on to the dreaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (dream morphis into musical instrument sound).
Possibly my favorite Floyd Album. Dogs is so amazing. Nasty guitar work by Gilmore. Great job My Friend.
It's actually Gilmore on bass. He's plays most of the album. Roger is on bass only for Dogs.
The beginning sound is Pastoral. Animals and The Wall are straight from the mind of Waters anti-establishment bent. The death of his father in the second world war opened his eyes to the coldness of authority. I think he took control of the lyrical direction at this time and the other guys in the band weren't so keen about this cynical direction. You should check out some of his great solo work! Great review of this album.
@1:47
Syed: It's not as cold and evil.
Roger Waters: Hold my beer.
Zeppelin and Floyd were the best in the 70's. then Queen and deep purple, sabbath
The only album run better than Pink Floyd in the 70s would be Rubber Soul - Revolver - Sgt. Pepper's - Magical Mystery Tour - The White Album - Abbey Road. Nothing else comes even close in my opinion.
The first 6 Sabbath albums is right up there
Dogs were the lower level management, who could make or break your future. Pigs were the CEOs and the Elite of society. And Sheep, as mentioned below. The average employee, who just do as they are told. But defend those above them at all cost. Afraid to speak out and hope that by kissing up. They can better themselves in life ( which of course never happens, because they are too afraid to really do anything to make that happen )
“Feel Joy” by Jordan Stephens. The antidote for the 2020s.
Sheep, the people in society walking around with the heads in the sand, never paying attention to anything going around them. And yes, it screws up every chance for the rest of who do pay attention. Because we cant get them to act with us. Afraid to lose their position in society & at work too.
Wow never thought of it as the slaughter house
I thought it sounded like a train headed to an extermination camp.
And the lords prayer verse
Could very well have been a sheeps prayer
The album is not based directly on the story of Animal Farm, rather on the concept and themes of anthropromorphized barnyard animals used to represent societal classes present in the book.
Perhaps the greatest Gilmore “soaring” song: High Hopes
No way out of here is also a great gilmour song
Welcome the new boss, same as the old boss.
Exactly
Syed, you've heard the ending of Sheep from Pink Floyd before. Do you remember where?
The Wall beat album of PF with Dark side of the moon,One of these days fabulous track ......but SHEEP is their beat song....the most perfect one....even l don't like so much the album
Syed please listen to meddle
In its entirety
Then listen to
Obscured by clouds
Two great alvums during their creative peak
I also highly recommend
You go back and do piper at the gates of dawn
Thats the beginning
The way I understand the ending of sheep is that they revolt against the dogs rather than the pigs because they're oblivious to who's really the evil
Orwell was a Socialist, not a Marxist. ‘Animal Farm’ was a study of the failure of the Soviet Revolution to live up to its own high ideals. The animals revolt and take the farm from the humans. Humans are enemies, and all animals are equal. Gradually the pigs rise to control. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Finally, the pigs are masters, they socialize with humans, and there is no difference between them. “Meet the new Boss; same as the old Boss.”
Miserably accurate of George Orwell ‘s Animal Farm and 1984 and the reality of right now in our lives Dec 2022- sheep being lead to slaughter / war- thanks for the review.
Have you seen The Wall movie yet? I think it would give you a better appreciation of that album. For me, the Wall is number 1. I have probably seen that movie over 100 times. And i dont watch any movie more than once, ever - except the Wall.
pls, when you finish this album reaction, do the Ok Computer full album reaction 😭😭🙏🙏
Gilmour played bass on this one
Yeah, well, it’s still happening. Keep your eye on Braverman, the ERG, and what they propose to do about the little boats. It concerns you too when it comes to basic human rights.
Bleating and babbling, we fell on his neck with a scream
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream
My favorite verse on the album.
Animal farm is not a children's book. 😆
Spot on!
Animal farm is an easy read,, Essential reading ,, In the context of the Soviet Revolution it makes most sense , but it also refers to Capitalism ---
Animal Farm is absolutely not a kids book. This book is no cartoon. It is extremely serious but told in a deceiving innocent manner. All the themes are adult themes.
The pigs get fat, whose rules are enforced by the dogs at the expense of the sheep
Klaus Schwab
You like how they use animals in their music? You ain't heard nothing yet. Early Pink Floyd - Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict.
You’re definitely right that the album has a Marxist/socialist slant , but the novel is actually from the opposite perspective (criticism of communism). So you’re definitely right that the ideas are inspired by the ideas of Animal Farm but not necessarily based on it
"opposite"? Really? Interesting.
( ELTON JOHN ) SYED 😊 BETWEEN 71-75, NOBODYYYYY CAME CLOSE TO ELTON, ( 7 ) STR88888 MULTI PLATINUM ALBUMS😊STARTING WITH ( TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION ) AND GOING THROUGH ( CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY ) 😊 ANYWAY, WHEN IT COMES TO CONCEPT ALBUMS HELLLLLL NO, PINK FLOYD HANDS DOWN THE BEST, WHO WAS EVEN CLOSE TO THEM! 😊
Roger Waters only played bass on one track on Animals: "Dogs".
And the rhythm guitar on every other track.
The concept behind the song sheep is about cognitive dissonance. People who choose not to believe what is obvious in front of them so as to preserve their comfort zone.
How can Waters say something in favour of putin now, after writing Animals, escapes me
Try listening to them, altered.
1) animals or wish you were here
2) animals or wish you were here
3) dark side of the moon
4) meddle
5) the wall