Pink Floyd - Animals Test Acetate (STU/FLAC)

(Studio FLAC)

01 - Pigs (Three Different Ones) (11:28)
02 - Sheep (10:16)
03 - Dogs (16:58)
04 - Pigs on the Wing (3:13)

Animals Test Acetate is a 1-CD release by an unidentified/unknown label that’s claimed to be “an early mix during the production of the Animals album”, Pink Floyd’s 1977 classic, and that’s pretty much what it apparently is.  It’s basically the same as the original studio release, but with the songs obviously arranged in a different order, and with a mix that sounds slightly more raw, somewhat rougher.  There’s also unfortunately some considerable instability, as at some points in the lengthier tracks, especially “Dogs” and “Pigs (Three Different Ones)”, the mix of instruments/vocals and/or the sound quality seems to change noticeably.  Just a couple examples of such can be found at approx. 10:40 into “Pigs” and approx. 14:50 into “Dogs”.  The last song, “Pigs on the Wing”, consists of both the 1st & 2nd parts, bridged by Snowy White’s guitar solo in between the two halves.  No other differences between this early mix of Animals and the original studio version could be discerned.  The artwork is considerably impressive, with the inserts being given a classy-looking glossy finish similar to that of the ones produced the last couple years by the Siréne/Sigma label.  (D.Lee)