Crikey was that 30 years ago!
1987 was a year of change for me and whilst I was generally listening to heavier stuff like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Judas Priest, Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth etc at the time the release of Animal captured my attention and I bought it on 7" single.
With limited income at the time and so many things competing for those funds, I didn't buy the album straight away although I had a copy of it on tape that a friend I worked with did for me.
I listened to that tape lots and eventually bought the album on CD and it became a firm favourite.
When the Mrs and I first got together it was one of those albums that we both liked although she had never owned it and despite it being fifteen years old at the time.
We still play it on a fairly regular basis and whilst it is not on weekly it will be played once or more a month most months.
Whilst the album is very much of its time I think that it has aged well, but having known it since release it is difficult to imagine listening to it for the first time in 2017 and not thinking it may sound dated.
I have owned the first three Def Leppard albums - 'On Through the Night' 'High 'n' Dry' & 'Pyromania' but never really got on with them and they were sold some time ago. Equally I've not bothered with anything newer from them.
As it is still a fairly regular listen, I know exactly what I am getting when I put it on, and for me there are no filler tracks.
Just chatting about it now with the good lady as I write this and I know that it isn't perfect, or ground-breaking but for the reasons I have already mentioned it will always be a favourite album that will be played and reminds of of different time.
I've played it a lot over the 30 years since it's release and still enjoy it and sing along.
So it gets a solid 9/10 from me.
Best Wishes
Christopher D
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Main System: Vinyl - Technics SL1200 Mk1, Technics Mk2 Headshell , Audio Technica AT_VM95C, Cambridge Audio Azur 551P Phono Stage: CD - Marantz CD 6005: Amp - Cambridge Audio Azur 351A: Speakers - B&W DM600
Second System (WIP) : CD - NAD C 521i : Cassette - Technics RS-BX404: Amp - Technics SU-V470 PXS : Speakers - Wharfdale Laser 60
Streaming: Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6: Active Monitors - Adam Audio T5V