The iconic cover on the original release captures an inflatable pig in the skies above London’s Battersea Power Station; the concept was reimagined by Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis for the 2018 remixed version of the set.
As the power plant was under regeneration and the surrounding area was likely to be dramatically changed, the art director moved quickly to capture a new image inspired by the original cover shoot.
“I found a location from a nearby bridge,” explains Powell, “and with photographer Rupert Truman, I shot Roger Waters’ original idea but with a different slant. I then muted the colors to give the picture the bleak Orwellian feel of the record. The new album cover caught the essence of the original just in time.”
Pink Floyd’s tenth studio album was recorded at the group's Britannia Row Studios in London throughout 1976 and early 1977, and was produced by the band themselves. The project reached No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 2 in their native UK.
“Animals” is a concept album, focusing on the social-political conditions of mid-1970s Britain, and was a change from the style of the band's earlier work. The album was developed from a collection of unrelated songs into a concept which describes the apparent social and moral decay of society, likening the human condition to that of animals.
Taking inspiration from George Orwell's “Animal Farm”, the album depicts the different classes of people as animals with pigs being at the top of the social chain, dropping down to the sheep as the mindless herd following what they are told, with dogs as the business bosses getting fat on the money and power they hold over the other.
“Animals 2018 Remix” will be released on CD, LP (with gatefold artwork), Blu-ray, SACD and Deluxe Gatefold formats. The Deluxe Gatefold version includes LP, CD, audio Blu-ray, audio DVD and a 32-page book. The Blu-ray and DVD audio include the 2018 remix in Stereo, 5.1 Surround (both by James Guthrie) and the original 1977 Stereo mix. A 32-page booklet features rarely seen behind the scenes photographs of the album sleeve shoot along with live images and memorabilia.
The individual versions will be available on September 16 with a Deluxe version available from October 7; this is the first time the album will be available in 5.1 Surround Sound.
See also:
Pink Floyd preview Dogs remix from Animals reissue
Pink Floyd announce Animals reissue
Roger Waters rocks Pink Floyd classics on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Roger Waters to perform on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Search Pink Floyd at hennemusic
