A discussion on which version of Pink Floyd‘s Animals is better has left listeners split.
Both the original version featuring Battersea Power Station and an updated remix of the album, released in 2022, were discussed by listeners who believe there are several subtle differences. A post to the r/PinkFloyd subreddit saw fans split on which was the better of the two, with the “smallest differences” apparently making a huge deal to listeners. Fans believe it’s a split between the two albums, with one having the better cover and another version holding in it a cleaner mix. A fan wrote: “Which Animals do you prefer? I had a discussion with a friend, and he prefers the remix.
“Now he’s more of an audiophile, so even the smallest differences and enhancements mean a lot to him, but for me, the rawness and grittiness of the original is unmatched. I love the remix too, but 99% of the time I play the original. He says the original Animals is shit. What are your thoughts?”
One fan replied: “Sonically, the 2018 mix, but we all know that the album cover with colour looks so much better.” Others agreed that the latest mix is the best for Animals. One wrote: “The 2018 mix is so sharp and clear. The drums pop, the guitars soar, and the vocals are clear. I personally like a clean mix, and this delivers.
“The original was a bit muddy for my taste (something I’ve always assumed to be the move out of Abbey Road for their own Britannia Row studios).” Others saw it as a mixed bag, with some preferring certain mixes over the originals. They shared: “I like the original mix of Dogs more, but prefer Pigs and Sheep in the 2018 remix.”
Slight differences to the remix made all the difference for many people. One suggested: “I love both versions. In the remix, the drums are amazing. At last, it’s like having two different styles of a masterpiece.”
Another disagreed, sharing: “The guitar sounds much less aggressive on the remix. I don’t understand why they did that.” A third agreed with this concern, writing: “My main reason for going for the original, despite some great improvements in the remix.”
Others believe the original is still superior, and not just because of the album cover. One person wrote: “I’ve listened to both a fair times, I’m more of a fan of the original. It’s weird, to me personally, the original sounds better in every way than the remix.
“The remix almost has a muffled sound. I’m sure it doesn’t, but I’m so used to the original that anything distinct from it just doesn’t sound quite right.” Another added: “I don’t think it’s possible to appreciate the remix without subwoofers. Headphones definitely sound muffled.”
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