'Melt' is no. 1 for me. The guitar riff off 'and through the wire' is really kinda unique and catchy, and 'lead a normal life' is incredible. Good watch, enjoying the channel!
This is for Joe...on "sleeping on" Peter Gabriel. There's just so many hours in a day. As a teen my prog heroes were Tull, Yes, ELP and Rush. I first heard Musical Box and Dancing With The Moonlit Knight by Genesis when I was in my 50s. Mind blown. How had I neglected such an artist for so long? There's just so many hours in a day. BTW...have had a crush on Kate Bush since her breakthrough appearance on SNL decades ago. British, brilliant and beautiful!!
My favorite artist. From Trespass to Up not a bad note and truely an innovator. Incredibly creative. There are a few artists that I love that I can not choose favorites. Gabriel is one.
Security is #1 - Way ahead of it's time. San Jacinto & I Have the Touch are the standouts (Not Shock the Monkey) Saw this tour in '82-'83 and it still one of my most favorite concerts of my life.
Yup, agree, that is if I'm not allowed to say Passion. Saw the same tour, top 3 concert experience of my life, perfectly captured in Peter Gabriel Plays Live which is an amazing album. If only one then that one.
Awesome list! Love Peter Gabriel, great to hear you 3 appreciate as well! Here my top 5. 1. - Melt - Groundbreaking. Unlike anything that came out before or since. 2. - Security - Fantastic follow-up. San Jacinto live is mesmerizing. 3. - Us - Fully matured. Don't mind Steam one bit. 4. - So - Great album, but as Joe said, too much 80s, overplayed. Still love Sledgehammer! 5 - Scratch - New to me but digging this. Going to be listening a lot.
My first Pete concert was the 'Scratch' tour, with the orange construction jackets cum headlamps, and Peter appearing at one point in the center aisle of the balcony. But the show I enjoyed most was the "Melt' show at the outdoor hillside Greek Theatre, L. A., where we had 5th row center aisle (of plenty!) seats, and in this particular amphitheater you don't feel the slightest intrusion from the first four rows, so Peter seemed right in front of us, and the inevitable eye contact with him was daunting!
1986 I pick up the cassette copy of So from Musicland and put it in my Walkman. The opening of Red Rain washes over my like a tidal wave. So many layers !!
Gabriel's soundtracks don't play like soundtracks, they play like Gabriel albums. I wish you'd included them. I'd have loved to hear what you thought of "Passion".
Passion works perfectly as a Gabriel album. I never saw the movie but the music has its very own quality and ranks with his good albums any time. I never could connect to Birdy though...but again, I never saw the movie.
Nicest celebrity I ever met. I was working back stage security during his New Blood tour, and I got so nervous when he walked by me (huge Genesis era fan) I just mumbled “how’s it goin?” Yet he said “good thanks, how about you?” Then it happened again, I got nervous and he had the same gentlemanly response. Such a humble kind and “impressive to be near” human
Thanks again, guys. Been spending time with the missing early ones in my collection (Car, Scratch and Security) and it really amazes me how forward-thinking he was from the outset, something that really must’ve rubbed off on Phil’s Face Value a couple years later. Parts of it stemming from his time in Genesis, parts of it futuristic and much of it quite moody and unsettling. Really the mark of a musical genius. 👍
This is your best program so far 👍 Peter gabriel is amazing. The older he got the more emotional his albums got. Love the top 7 all fantastic. My personal choice would change day to day. 1.so 2.us 3. Car 4.melt 5. Security 6. Up 7.scratch
Jason wuz rite. Peter Gabriel III (melt) was a game-changer. Featuring XTC (Dave Gregory), Paul Weller (The Jam), Kate Bush, Fripp, Phil Collins, Tony Levin, etc... what's not to love... Epic drama in Intruder, Family Snapshot, and Biko. The most unexpected hit in "Games Without Frontiers... a ripping rocker with Weller's wicked guitar in "And Through The Wire"... It's all amazing. ...in any case... Loved all your reactions and explanations! I'm a new subscriber and look forward to watching more of your stuff. (edit: You ranked XTC!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!! One of the all-time great bands) For me: 1. Peter Gabriel solo 1. GENESIS (w/ Gabriel) (tie) 3. GENESIS (w/ Collins) 4. Phil Collins solo (But I'd also put Steve Hackett's solo stuff above GENESIS w/ Collins, too...). Cheers!
Mother of Violence is one of his best songs and I honestly think it’s pretty catchy. Surprised that one didn’t stick out to Jason on Scratch. Also I know Joe likes both Gabriel and Kate Bush so I’d like to highly recommend to him their beautiful haunting duet cover of Another Day. I still prefer the This Mortal Coil cover but their version is a close second.
Ditto on "Mother of Violence." Seems to me that it's sort of the Gabriel equivalent of Phil Collins' "The Roof Is Leaking." and I believe I read that 'M. o. V.' was written by Pete's first wife, Jill Moore.
I went to a Frippetronics clinic w/ Fripp many years ago. Frippetronics is a looping process that he used a reel to reel on. It was an early example of looping that became very popular, He was kind of a pioneer of looping.
Planting my flag upon my hill with 'So'. Only R.E.M.'s "Life's Rich Pageant" affected me more in 1986...a stellar year for pop and rock albums. 'So' blends commercial success with MTV appeal and some of THEE best musicianship I've ever heard. And the combo of PG's vocals giving life to some of his most poignant lyrics since the classic Genesis days clinches it for me. One of your best discussions Listography. Thank you!
Holy jeez it's gonna take years for me to catch up on all the @Listography shows I haven't watched yet. But this was an easy choice cuz PG and Genesis r two of my all-time favorites. I must say it was *joyous* for me to hear Joe talk about PG and CAR & SCRATCH. so exciting. i agree completely about CAR... it's just astonishing. '86 was the year i graduated high school / 1st yr of college so, yeah, SO had a ***huge*** impact on my life, just tremendous. Thanks for another fantastic conversation about the greatest music!
thanks for the opinions... my ranking: 9 - new blood 8 - scratch my back 7 - scratch - best: white shadow - worst: home sweet home 6 - us - best: love to be loved - worst: kiss that frog 5 - car - best: here comes the flood - worst: waiting for the big one 4 - up - best: signal to noise - worst: growing up 3 - melt - best: family snapshot - worst: and through the wire 2 - so - best: mercy street - worst: that voice again 1 - security - best: family and fishing net - worst: kiss of life
For me #1 has to be ‘US’ - digging the dirt, blood of Eden, secret world are all masterpieces. I remember touring east Africa with this album on my Walkman ( so quite some time ago) and my god the sights and sounds of Africa with this album is something I will never forget.
Joe's summed it up. The first album is astonishing in its range. Every song is so different - the mood, the emotions expressed, the theme of each song, the production, the arrangements, the way he sings each song, the way he uses his voice. The more diverse each song is, the stronger the album is overall, the more depth it has. There is humour in some of the songs, something which I thought was lacking in his next three albums. The songwriting is excellent. He seemed to put so much effort into this album. 'So' has great songs but this holds together better as an album. 'Moribund the Burgermeister' is strange, unsettling, funny. 'Salisbury Hill' captures a feeling of ecstatic joy. 'Here comes the flood' is someone accepting that he is about to be swept along by forces in his life beyond his control. Modern love is someone angry and frustrated about his relationships. Humdrum is reflective about life and the end of that song touches on the birth of his child. Every song is excellent. The whole thing has a genuinely epic feel about it.
Just agree. As a child of the time I was so shocked when Gabriel left Genesis...but then this album appeared and I knew why. It almost appeared that his former band was more of a hindrance to his creativity. I still love the album today, more than any other he released with or without Genesis.
The album that really got me into PG was his 1983 live album, Plays Live. Such a strong double album - and of course it made me seek out the original albums. For me, tho, my favorite PG album is So - you all touched on how well produced it is, and this dove-tailed so well with the advent of CD technology... I would buy my first CD player in 1987 and So was one of the first CDs I ever bought. The sound and songs blew me away and it continues to be my favorite.
Great lists guys. 1. Melt 2. Car 3. So 4. Security 5. Scratch 6. Up 7. Us. Like you guys, I Wasn’t really into the new blood or scratch my back records.
At the time, Peter Gabriel said that Waiting for the Big One was his Randy Newman song. If you listen, it's ALMOST an impersonation. Pretty good impersonation. "The Big One" he's waiting for is "The Big One" suggested by Randy Newman from Sail Away. There's also a story that the only way they could get the blues guitar out of Fripp was to get him VERY drunk.
Melt number one, scratch number two. Us is absolutely frigging amazing, took me some time to get used to it, but once I did, can't get enough of this perfect mix of pop and world music. Peter is a completely amazing artist and the compositions in Us are stunning.
1. Car 2. Security 3. Melt 4. Scratch 5. So 6. Us 7. I/O 8. Up And to answer your question it goes: 1. Gabriel-Genesis (by miles) 2. Collins-Genesis 3. Gabriel solo 4. Collins solo (again by miles)
Same as Joe... Nr1 also for me his first Solo Album. I think it had no real name, only "Peter Gabriel". Still listen to the whole album constantly. Maby also because of the remembering when I did buy it to my collection, took one of the most beautiful girl I ever met to a weekendtrip in the mountains region San Bernardino (Switzerland). Hotel was a Castle, empty, no guests, kind of Ghosthotel. Well, we listen to the whole Album 1000 times and so on. When I listen now, still can recall all of that trip... Oh, by the way... This was in 1978... Only Music can put you to such certain places and feelings far far away... Well done guys and Joe for the same Nr1...
Love, love love Peter Gabriel. But, Genesis with Gabriel is my absolute favorite band. Then Gabriel solo. As for Genesis with Phil. I like Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, Duke & Abacab. That's where it ends. Phil Collins is one of my favorite drummers. But I cannot stomach his solo albums at all.
Here’s my list excluding soundtracks with the exception of Passion which I think is one of his best albums. 10. New Blood 9. Scratch My Back 8. PG II 7. Security 6. Up 5. Car 4. PG III 3. So 2. I/O 1. US and Passion (Tie)
Can’t wait for i/o later this year…but here are my rankings thus far: 7. Security 6. Melt 5. Scratch 4. Us 3. Up 2. So 1. Car (I agree once again with Joe, the diversity of this one really amazes me)
It's always been a sort of phenomenon how as artists age, their creativity runs dry. I think it largely comes from artists who transformed music in such groundbreaking ways in their heyday, that it comes to haunt them as so many artists look at their place in music as trends come and go. Not that every artist tries to stay relevant by testing trendy waters, but those who were in the mainstream spotlight hold a value to being in that realm and their music suffers as a result. Many artists who never really were top 40 can find their inspiration easier and don't sweat past successes and essentially have been able to build a loyal following. The reason why artists like Robert Pollard, who is 63, can tap into inspiration that allows them to create music that rivals even their most "classic" material is that they let go of market expectations and past glories all while hammering away at getting ideas out and letting inspiration flow almost constantly, like a writer. A lot of writers write whether they are inspired or not. I think that's why artists like Pollard can thrive with great music well into old age.
1. Peter Gabriel [aka Peter Gabriel III, Melt] (1980) 2. Peter Gabriel [aka Peter Gabriel II, Scratch] (1978) 3. Peter Gabriel [aka Peter Gabriel I, Car] (1977) 4. Peter Gabriel [aka Peter Gabriel IV, Security] (1982) 5. So (1986) 6. Us (1992) 7. Up (2002) 8. Scratch My Back (2010) 9. New Blood (2011)
I followed some of peter gabriel's singles, along with work he did with an Independent Artist named Neon Indian. I can't wait to listen to this review.
1. Melt 2. Car 3. So 4. Security (coincidentally) 5. Up 6. Us 7. Scratch 8. New blood 9. Scratch my back Bottom 3 are 3, us to security is 4 to 4.5, and the top 3 are 5.
No1 ... Security. I was a huge Genesis fan, until Steve Hackett left (I’ve played Trick of the tail and Wind and Wuthering as much as the early PG with Genesis) Apart from the singles, I didn’t really take to PG’s solo work, until Security, or Gargoyle as I labelled it. It was so sonically powerful textured and interesting to me and I loved the production, his up close vocals. Hard to pick a favourite track but probably have played San Jacinto and The rhythm of the heat most. 2 ... So Red Rain is one of the best sonic/musical experiences ever recorded ... by anyone. 3.... Us 4.... Passion The rest I will now give a very close listen to as I trust your judgement and have probably missed out on some great music.
Great to see so much love for PG! Wonderful, unique artist. My favourite male voice ever. Melt is my personal number 1. I also adore The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack. Also I have to shout out some of those one-off songs from movies like Walk Through the Fire & Lovetown - I kinda wish they had found a place somewhere on the albums.
One of my first ever live shows was Peter Gabriel, in 1980 at The Manchester Apollo, on the Melt tour. I remember the tour programme was a a Little Red Book, very Mao ;) To start the show, the whole band, including I think Gabriel, walked to the stage from the back of the hall, each carrying a high-powered torch whose lights they waved over the audience. They all wore black jump suits. I was probably a bit too young to appreciate its full artistic impact. I wish I could go back and relive it! Also, I recall the support band was called Random Hold, featuring future collaborator David Rhodes on guitar. I put Melt at #1 too.
Love Peter Gabriel and Old Genesis. Peter Gabriel 2 is number 5, So is number 4, Peter Gabriel 1 number 3, Peter Gabriel 4 is number 4, Peter Gabriel 3 is nunmber 1. All records fantastic
Very close to my choice. I like it that you didn't bother with Us Up whatever. Just PG 1-5. I put So kind of equal to PG1 because I like and am not sure for different reasons. Did you mean PG4 is number 2?
Been looking forward to this one - great vid! And with all the mentions of Robert Fripp, you guys HAVE to do King Crimson one of these days! Here's my list. Very difficult to pick between Nos. 1 & 2. 9. New Blood 8. Scratch My Back 7. Up 6. Us 5. Security 4. PG 3 - Melt 3. So 2. PG 2 - Scratch 1. PG 1 - Car Also: 1. Peter Gabriel Genesis 2. Peter Gabriel 3. Phil Collins Genesis 4. Phil Collins
I wasn't into Genesis I was not not into Peter Gabriel back in late 70's and 80's, i made up for lost time on Genesis quite recently, it's time to do the same for Peter Gabriel. A new world might open up for me
They all rank number one- as its brilliantly created- mastered and some are re- mastered and.. Equally enjoyed for its unique touch of Gabriel.. Some say their are many characters..but only one master- he is the male diva.. I think I like the part where he says.. Phaster Phill and dose a vocal "body Acoustic" as he sound like a well tuned parra pa pi pa pa parra pa pi pa...something like that.. That is not commercial..its music..when its music..their is no rate as its music.. Its number one - which? All
One commenter below was close to my choice. I like it that the commenter didn't bother with Us, Up, whatever. Just PG 1-5. I put So kind of equal to PG1 because I like and am not sure for different reasons. Favourite to least: PG3, PG4, So and PG1, then PG2 last. I think PG4 was an artistic / arty height for him but it's a bit hard work. The first two songs are so brilliant for me. PG3 has that life around it, not a slick production, a little dirty or gritty with so many great pieces.
Peter Gabriel Studio Albums Ranked by 26 People ============================================ 9. New Blood: average rank=8.563, average star rating=2.6 8. Scratch My Back: average rank=8.370, average star rating=2.6 7. Up: average rank=6.149, average star rating=3.0 6. Scratch: average rank=5.093, average star rating=3.7 5. Us: average rank=5.006, average star rating=3.2 4. Security: average rank=4.511, average star rating=3.8 3. Car: average rank=3.611, average star rating=4.0 2. So: average rank=3.489, average star rating=4.2 1. Melt: average rank=2.956, average star rating=4.5 Statistical Analysis ============================================ Most underrated albums: Scratch: 0.907, Up: 0.851, New Blood: 0.437 Most overrated albums: Melt: -1.956, So: -1.489, Car: -0.611 Most fairly-ranked albums: Us: 0.006, Scratch My Back: 0.370, New Blood: 0.437 Most controversial albums: Scratch: 6.191, Us: 5.467, Car: 4.588 Least controversial albums: Scratch My Back: 0.556, New Blood: 1.460, Melt: 2.836 Most negative dissent: So at 3.000/3.489 (lowest median-to-mean) Most positive dissent: Up at 7.000/6.149 (highest median-to-mean) (* underrated = receives a higher average rank than its final rank, fair = average rank pretty close to final rank, controversial = a lot of variation in how people rank it) (* positive dissent = people giving higher rankings feel more strongly than those giving lower ones) (** note: an album can still be non-controversial if everyone agrees that it's bad) The Critics ============================================ Most underrated by critics: Us, 3.0 vs 3.2 from fans Most overrated by critics: Scratch My Back, 3.5 vs 2.6 from fans Most critic/fan consensus: Up Overall critic rating vs fan rating of Peter Gabriel: 3.9 / 3.5 Ranked list from critics: 9. Us, 8. Up, 7. Scratch My Back, 6. New Blood, 5. Scratch, 4. Security, 3. Car, 2. So, 1. Melt Phases of Peter Gabriel ranked: ============================================ * Classic PG (from Car to Us): average of 4.111 (3.9 stars) across 6 albums: Scratch, Us, Security, Car, So, Melt * 2000s PG (from Up to New Blood): average of 7.694 (2.7 stars) across 3 albums: New Blood, Scratch My Back, Up Most popular phase: Classic PG Fans of Interest ============================================ Key fan scores (lower is more stereotypical): Kramzer: 4.396, Joe: 4.581, Jason: 4.646, The Critics: 5.875 Most stereotypical Peter Gabriel fan: Kramzer Least stereotypical Peter Gabriel fan: Jason Fans Clusters (K-Means Clustering) ============================================ Most fans best fit one of the following. Select one of these top 5 / bottom 3 lists. * = not shared across all lists. Cluster 1 (10 fans): Melt, Security *, Car, So, Scratch *... Us *, New Blood, Scratch My Back Cluster 2 (9 fans): Car, Scratch *, Melt, So, Us *... Up *, Scratch My Back, New Blood Cluster 3 (8 fans): So, Us *, Melt, Security *, Car... Scratch *, Scratch My Back, New Blood Methodology: User lists and host lists (including star ratings, where provided) are pasted into text file, which is then processed and analyzed by Python script. Text file also includes info about artist and album names. Critic star ratings come from Allmusic.com.
I'm just now getting into PG properly . As a kid, I didn't like Sledgehammer, but now that I know the lyrics are about sex, I really like it! I ALWAYS loved "Shock the Monkey" and "Big time" though... His 3rd album is a friggin masterpiece I believe. For some reason, I'm having a hard time getting into his 4th album... obviously my favorite song on that one is Shock the Monkey
Just stumbled across this channel. LOVE IT! Love Gabriel and think the diversity of rankings is a statement to the artist. JOE, you have to check out the Daryl Hall solo album from 77 called Sacred Songs, also produced by Fripp. It is an amazing album. I'm a huge Crimson fan as well.
A very entertaining and enlightening show, guys. I enjoyed how different your choices were and how you articulated your rankings. I've 'lived' with Gabriel since SELLING ENGLAND but was totally blown away by this debut solo album. The second was a slow grower (fewer stand-outs but more interesting playing & production, as you've all noted). It just sounds like one of the great 'transitional' albums of the era. The 3rd and 4th albums were the peak of his experimental years and both are filled with classic cuts ("Intruder", "No Self Control" "I Have the Touch", "Biko" "Kiss of Life") and early 'sniffs' at the pop charts ("Shock the Monkey" and "Games Without Frontiers"). (There's a German version of the 3rd that's also worth a listen.) It all came together on SO, a 'perfect' album of songs, performance & production marred only by being overplayed back in the day. It's ripe for reappraisal and the additional b-side with Laurie Anderson ("Excellent Birds") is a real bonus. US pales only slightly in comparison and features some of his best songwriting. Some of the songs feel a bit too long but otherwise, a fine collection PASSION is an indispensable part of his interest in world music, collaboration and musical textures. A journey that enriches each time. (And if you like 'Melt' and 'Security', seek out the BIRDY soundtrack to hear those tracks re-worked for the big screen.) I kind of stopped after that. Gabriel lost his momentum, his pop drive and... his hair. The later releases and live albums feel/sound ponderous. I recently scored a cheap used version of SCRATCH MY BACK and thought it was interesting but it also betrayed a man more in love with sound than songs. If it turns a few more people into fans of Magnetic Fields, that's still a service to humanity. If he's done, his legacy is secure. If there's more to come, it would be worth hearing from you three as to what you think/hope might be Gabriel's next project.
I was a fan of Genesis in those days, even stayed with them for the first 2 albums after Gabriel left. Like so often, you wondered why people would make such a change like leaving such a band but when the first solo album appeared it became clear that the man was much more than just the Genesis singer. He was a significant artist on his own. Others. I have listened to the other ones but none stuck as worth going back to again... 7. Up 6. Us 5. 4 (Security) - he plays safe here...it came as fourth release and had nothing really new. 4. So - it is his most successful and it is easy to see why...it is no bad album but not as thrilling as his earlier stuff. 3. 3 (Melt) - The third of his really great ones, from then on he played it safe and went mainstream to please the crowds... 2. 2 (Scratch) - remember that this came out in 1978 and was light years ahead of anything at the time. 1. 1 (Car) - his most underrated album and by far his most diverse but all the facets work. The album alone justified his departure from his former band. It is the first choice for me whenever I feel like listening to Gabriel. PS - I would rank Passion - Last Temptation above all his later releases.
I dont have everything by PG but what I do have is brilliant all of these albums are essential to excellent. 1 - PG 3 2 - SO 3 - PG 4 4 - PG 1 5 - PG 2 6 - Us 7 - Up 1 - Solo Gabriel 2 - Genesis Gabriel 3 - Genesis Collins 4 - Collins Solo
It’s really weird, I just have Melt, So and the Shaking The Tree compilation and love em all to bits, yet never ventured any further in his catalogue. But you guys will definitely fix that! 😎
Definitely enjoyed his solo stuff more than the albums he did with Genesis. 9. New Blood (2011) ★★ 8. Scratch My Back (2010) ★★½ 7. Up (2002) ★★½ 6. Us (1992) ★★★ 5. Security (1982) ★★★ 4. Scratch (1978) ★★★ 3. Melt (1980) ★★★½ 2. So (1986) ★★★½ 1. Car (1977) ★★★★ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst
This is easy: 4) Phil Collins solo 3) Peter Gabriel solo 2) Phil Collins w/Genesis 1) Peter Gabriel w/Genesis. But why? Nursery, Foxtrot, Pound and Lamb. Shades of Rush going 2112, A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres. EPIC!
This is my list just on a whim. Could it change not too sure. Bill 9. New Blood 8. Scratch my back 7. Security 6. Up 5. So 4. Us 3, Car 2. Melt 1. Scratch
Probably my favorite ever list from Jason (aside from having So at 3, LOVED his other picks.) Joe having Scratch above So, Melt and Security was something I never saw coming. The album doesn't have any standout tracks and didn't impress me nearly as much as the other 4 of his first 5.
01 Scratch 02 Security 03 Long Walk Home 04 Up 05 Melt 06 So (add "Dont Break This Rhythm" + "Across The River, strip off "Sledgehammer" + "Big Time" and its in my top 3) 07 OVO 08 Passion 09 Car 09 New Blood /Live Blood 10 Birdy 11 Plays Live 12 Secret World Live 13 Us 14 Scratch My Back Other good Live are : Back to Front: Live in London, All Growing Up DVDs/LPs Big Blue Ball have two or three very intresting songs, but its not a full PG Album And his very best song isnt even released, check it up on you tube "Firebirds" Done with half of Genesis around 1974-1976 !
Also, I’m definitely in the Gabriel era Genesis camp, considering Selling England, Foxtrot and Lamb are in my top 50 and I’m not sure Melt would crack my top 100. In the past I definitely would have put Gabriel solo over Collins era Genesis, but I’m not as sure after Trick Of The Tail grew on me more and Us grew off me significantly.
I would not equal the Genesis downfall to the PG departure - Trick of the Tail and Winds & Wuthering are still some aftermath of original Genesis with Collins emulating Gabriel. Only after Hackett left, Collins discovered his real voice and...
Mi ranking: 1. So 2. Us 3. Melt 4. Scratch 5. Car 6. Security 7. Up 8. Birdy 9. Passion 10. Scratch My Back 11. OVO 12. Long Walk Home 13. New Blood I also included the soundtracks; greetings from Canary Islands
1. Peter Gabriel 1 Car 2. Melt 3. Peter Gabriel 4 4. Scratch 5. So 6. Up 7. Us Coming back a couple of months later, of all the albums, Melt has grown on me the most, and the middle 5 songs Family Portrait, Through the Wire, I Don't Remember, Not One of Us and Games Without Frontiers are all excellent. However, I think Car is more consistent with a greater variety. Bugermeister, Modern Love, Humdrum, Slowburn, Down the Dolce Vita and Here Comes the Flood are my favorites. As for the 4th album, Mother of Violence, On the Air, DIY and the Animal song are my favorites. As for Security, Shock the Monkey, San Jacinto and the amazing percussion in Kiss of Life are my favorites. Some of the others songs are a bit too disturbing or atmospheric. Big Time and Red Rain are my favorites on So, but the eighties production largely subdued on Melt and Security really comes to the fore and gives the songs a bit too much gloss and smoothness without the intriguing rough edges and organic feel I prefer on the first four albums, though I think the song writing is quite good on So. However, my main connection is to the best songs I mentioned on the first four albums.
3 is an all time classic. That's the first I bought when it was out. I'll go UP! next then 4 then US then 1 then SO . I still haven't heard 2. Scratch my back I took off after about 30 seconds mainly because I hadn't heard the originals. I wish he'd tour 3 or UP! like he did SO.
Although I like a lot of Gabriela solo stuff, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway are fantastic because he was working w Genisus at their absolute peek. Prog Genisus beats Pop Genisus for me.
I'm a bit older and watched him grow at the time, first concert Glasgow Apollo 1977 ish. You mention Pop, he was not pop at all, he was the opposite - he pushed the boundaries in his first 4 albums. You may notice his face was never clear, from Genesis thru his albums until SO. It's a pity you guys never saw the concerts that matched the albums - it was always about being an artist (with surprises). He was a great singer but a better vocalist, an instrument that pushed the boundaries which made him unique. First album has fantastic songs/tracks - the next few are true creative brilliance - no one at the time was so experimental - he was not mainstream at all - until SO. Artist not Pop please. Great to see his music loved by you youngsters.
It’s been so long since I listened to Peter Gabriel’s solo career, but I do know the true number 1 Album has to be Passion: The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack. Joe, if you like Peter Gabriel’s music now, you HAVE to listen to that album. As far as what’s best, it’s 1) Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel, 2) Phil/Genesis (1976-1982), 3) Peter Gabriel (solo), and the rest is tied for 4th.
Maybe you guys should revisit Peter Gabriel albums now that his “NEW” album “ i / o came out. It’s his first #1 album in 37 years. I did a current list of Gabriel albums and my #1 was also Melt. ✌🏻
1 & 2 are soooo close. Melt and Car. It was Melt for the longest time but I have to agree with the dude with the ballcap minus glasses at the bottom -- every song is different and there's an interesting cohesion to it. Bob Ezrin from The Wall and Robert Fripp + Tony Levin. Although I think he hit an artistic stride with Melt. He ditched some of the more traditional musicianship from the first two albums and never returned. I'm not going to rank them. Scratch and Security are really good. I like the first four as a set. He turned the page with So but I really think the charm with So is the production and the musicians. He seemed to give them more freedom and it pays off. I do think he lost an artistic part of himself but that happens -- people move on. I really like Passion and Ovo as artistic ventures. I'm more familiar with Ovo minus the opening rap song and really listen to the Millenium Show version with the story book which has the rap song on a separate disc, I think that's very nice. He never released Ovo on vinyl but I really think its a significant work of his. Up is crap. Us is better but both are overproduced. Sure there's some nice and interesting moments, for sure. But he tried too hard and was a bit out of touch, pop-wise. Washing of the Water is a great song. Secret World too. The covers and Scratch My Back stuff is a bit of a yawn. However, during the 2000s and 2010s, he did turned up a really good song here and there. Burn You Up, Burn, You Down from the Big Blue Ball is a good solid song. Animal Nation is almost an awesome song, almost. I think the original version of I Grieve from Up that appeared on the City of Angels soundtrack, is a gorgeous song. The album version doesn't compare. Lovetown is a great song too. I/O just feels nice. I'm not disappointed at all. It feels like Peter Gabriel has welcomely returned. He's not trying too hard like on Up. I feel like Panopticon (the crappiest song on the record) might be a trailing of Up. But he actually returns to some of his older forms that he skimmed early in his career with Playing For Time. This is probably his most piano and horns heavy record and they all sound good. The title track is great. Four Kinds of Horses, Olive Tree, This Is Home, and Live and Let Live are all great songs. But yet, the best may be, And Still. Solo Gabriel and Genesis Gabriel are a toss-up. Genesis Phil then Phil. I think Phil gets a bad rap, though. I believe Phil Collins was always the most important member of Genesis. When they first played with Phil Collins, the band collectively felt the songs were easier to play and that they sounded better.
@@TastesLikeMusic I see. Well, I suppose there's nothing left to do then but to surrender to my existentialist nightmare by embracing the horror that is the Birdy soundtrack...
I think the problem with Scratch My Back is that it's a bit of a one note album -theres no light and shade. A couple of good covers like Book Of Love but it's really for the die hard fans
I enjoyed it. Jason, sometimes I totally agree with you; and other times I'm just wondering what the actual eff. "Us" at 8 is one of those times 😂. "So" is my number one also, Kramzer. See y'all tomorrow.
Today I've hit the road and I've listen to "So" and "Us" for the first and in that order. "So" was musically interesting all the way to the end, but none of the songs grasped me at all. I've prefered the musical direction and overall sound of "Us". I will give another listen to each. The first PG album I've listen to is "Scratch My Back" and I did not know that is was a cover album. My favorite song was "Listening Wind" that I can listen in loop when in the right mood. Became a forever personal classic. UP to now my worst to best: 3 So 2 Us 1 Scratch My Back
I think the first song on "UP" is great....than, everything after that wasn't all that thrilling. Saw Gabriel twice (with Tony Levin)...each performance was magnificent and majestic. I hope he tours at least just once more.... Love that bizarre song "Excuse Me".
