Pink Floyd: Back on “Animals”, the album inspired by George Orwell which denounced capitalism

Nostalgic people will remember Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon or song Another Brick In the Wall who had delighted young people and even the not so young. Meanwhile, Although the legendary British group with 360 million albums sold has about fifteen albums. Similarly, we have just published a new biography devoted only to their album Animalsthe most controversial and the most virulent.

The author Philippe Gonin who signs Pink Floyd, Animals It is not at its beginnings. Moreover, He has already written three other books on the famous British group devoting himself to the albums The Dard Side Of The Moon. However, The Wall et Wish You Were Here.

No wonder he is now attacking the album Animals released in 1977. Therefore, on the 10th^e Album of the legendary group that so much talked about.

pink floyd: back “animals”, album

Already, the album’s cover was nothing commonplace. For example, We saw a floating pig between two fireplaces of the bat power station. Additionally, For example, One of the first large coal power plants in England. Recall that we were in the era of punk music where many wanted to denounce our emerging consumer society. And Pink Floyd was no exception.

To produce his album. the training was partly inspired by the novel The animal farm From George Orwell published in 1945, who denounced the Russian Revolution while criticizing the Soviet regime and where pink floyd: back “animals”, album animals revolt against their master.

In the animals mentioned on the album are sheep. dogs and pigs, indeed inspired by The animal farm de George Orwell.

Criticize society

Roger Waters, one of the founders of the group who has always considered himself the leader, is at the origin ofAnimalsemphasizing this album on cynicism, aggressiveness and social criticism. He uses his songs to denounce the injustices of society even going much further in his utopia. In addition, he attacks the capitalism system. Existential questions and reflections are put forward.

In the song Dogs. In particular, we illustrate with metaphors the brutal characters of the company to the services of the most powerful state. The social. moral decadence of contemporary society is portrayed there without detour, making a parallel between the human condition and that of animals.

Even if the album begins with a love song. the sequel is different and the musical universe is far from doing in the magnificent. Rather, it presents a dangerous and unfair universe, dominated by dogs that bark.

To push the idea to the extreme. we will use in the promotion ends and during the shows a giant pig inflated with helium suspended by wires.

Upcoming break

L’album Animals There comes at the time when the group experienced disputes, because David Gilmour and Richard Wright (co -founder) recognize that Roger Waters has signed several songs since the beginnings of training, but they also believe that their contribution to groups is much more important than what Waters claims. Thus, the album Animals corresponds to a pivotal period for Pink Floyd which goes away at its loss.

To the ego problems are added financial problems. Disputes. legal conflicts about songs and copyrights will go by multiplying due to Roger Water who wants a larger share of the cake. Nothing goes for training and battles will even go to court and will extend over two years.

It was. according to the author, during the last concert on their pink floyd: back “animals”, album tour in Montreal, in 1977, that the dissensions within the group reached their paroxysm.

Besides, Roger Waters had not appreciated the Montreal Olympic stadium as well as the attitude of his fans. He even went so far as to spit in the face of one of his spectators.

The incident gave him the idea of ​​having a wall between him and the spectators. Hence the concept of the following album, The Wall which will be released in 1979.

Finally. Roger Waters will leave the group in 1985 and it is David Gilmour who pink floyd: back “animals”, album will take over, mainly as a lyricist of the group. But the end is close to training and Gilmour will then start a solo career.

It was mainly the death of Richard Wright in 2008 which definitively ended the group despite numerous claims to bring the group together.

Admittedly, Pink Floyd will have marked the musical universe in their own way. In addition to the musical dimension. he will have explored deep themes of society, including madness, war, death and alienation, sometimes using a philosophical dimension.

Even if, in some ways, this book is very sharp in the details, pink floyd: back “animals”, album it is nonetheless most interesting.

Pink floyd: back "animals", album – Pink floyd: back "animals", album

Pink Floyd Animals
Philippe Gonin
The word and the rest
152 pages