The horse says
NAY!
I don't really know why this album is hated so much. I always thought side 3 had the only weak spots on the entire album, tracks like Nobody Home, Vera Lynn and Bring the Boys Back Home are shlock that Roger should have saved for The Final Cut so they could be rightfully ignored.
But I can't think of any other low moments on the album. The first disc is excellent through and through and the crazy climaxes of side 4 (I confess to loving The Trial in all it's hammy glory) really redeems the meandering of side 3, though that side has Hey You and Comfortably Numb at least.
Hard to explain but I still think it's a better album than Animals. I understand that people find the album too melancholy and rock opera-ish but you gotta admit that Roger ties the story and the mood with the music really damn well and the songwriting, musicianship, studio wizzardry, it's all still there. I love the album both for the music and for themes. It's a roller coaster ride of an album, I understand why people find it overbearing because you really feel wore out in the end, but I'm pretty sure that's what Roger was going for. I guess I'm more fond of these kinda "cinematic" concept albums than others.