Pink Floyd\u2019s 10th studio album \u201cAnimals\u201d was released almost 10 years on from their psychedelic debut that launched the band on to the world stage. But this release couldn\u2019t be farther from \u201cThe Piper At The Gates Of Dawn\u201d if you tried: It was a hard-hitting politically charged heavy rock album. Its three central pieces, \u201cPigs (Three Different Ones)\u201d, \u201cDogs\u201d and \u201cSheep\u201d each extending to over 10 minutes each drew parallels with George Orwell\u2019s dystopian nightmare \u201cAnimal Farm\u201d. Its lyrics continued to project Roger Waters\u2019 eternal themes of life\u2019s struggles where the subservient masses are sheep controlled by tyrannical pigs and authoritarian dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recorded over the summer of 1976, in the space of time it took punk to both explode and promptly fizzle out, at their own Britannia Row studios in north London, it also marked a shift from their traditional base of EMI at Abbey Road. Arguably one of Pink Floyd\u2019s least well recorded works it does however hold a fond place in many fans hearts and Animals has enjoyed a legacy \u2013 Roger Waters in particular reviving those tracks to shoehorn into his own politically charged live solo shows in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The corresponding tour through the first half of 1977 was also not without compromise and built on the stadium spectacular that had been successfully developed over the previous two years of touring. Creatively, there was no limit to their ambition as large-scale inflatable structures, screen films, special effects and state of the art sound reinforcement were utilized that enveloped the audience in an ever-increasing immersive experience. But, despite all this, as their fan base increased exponentially so too did the rowdy nature of the stadium environment which, coupled with band members personal issues, ultimately led to inter-band rifts and Roger Waters\u2019 increasing intolerance of and disdain towards the adulation of the fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This all finally came to a spectacular head during their final show of the \u201cAnimals\u201d tour in Montreal in July and the events that unfolded became the lynchpin of Waters\u2019 vision of isolation and madness that eventually led to the creation of \u201cThe Wall\u201d two years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPink Floyd \u2013 The Animals Tour \u2013 A Visual History\u201d By Glenn Povey documents both the history of the recording of the album and the supporting tours which remains one of the most fascinating periods in Pink Floyd\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n