Retro Spins: Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel

 

At this point, we probably all know the history of Peter Gabriel, front many of Genesis from 1967 to 1975. So, it would really be a disservice for me to retread all that ground. Instead, let's jump ahead to his solo career.

Gabriel released his first solo album in 1977, opting to name it, and the subsequent next four, Peter Gabriel. This makes it a bit difficult to track down these initial records when doing online searches.

1977's Peter Gabriel reached number seven in the UK. Upon its release, it received mixed reviews, most of which were favorable. It was followed up by 1978's Peter Gabriel, which peaked at number ten.

For his 1980 album, Gabriel called in Genesis member, Phil Collins to assist with drums on several tracks. The recordings are notable for Collins fans as the introduction to his gated drum sound. The album would go on to reach number one in the UK and France.

When I first started listening to this album, it really intrigued me because it sounded so different. Like nothing I had never heard before. It didn't feel like something from the 70's or the 80's. Instead, it felt in its own era and class.

Each track delivered blow after blow, and by song six, having added all of them to my shuffle list, it was very apparent that I was a Peter Gabriel fan. It pumped me up to hear more from him, which will be easy since I already own all of his albums from the 80's. Though he may become an artist I seek out his 70's work as well.

Everything about the record just felt different, but amazing at the same time. Every time I thought I wasn't going to get into a tune, something happened in it, and it just grabbed me. It wasn't until the tail end of it all that I finally stopped grabbing shuffle worthy songs, ultimately leaving out Not One Of Us, and Lead A Normal Life. Still, eight out of ten makes this one massive for me.

Peter Gabriel continued his success with his 1982 (again, self titled) album, and then 1986's So, which would become his next number one album. Though he would release four more albums, these were very sparsely spread between 1992 and 2011.

The singer also filled gaps in the 80's and New Millennium with soundtrack work. However, none of these albums produced the success that his studio albums garnered.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below. 

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
February 18, 1984

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
February 18, 1989

Retro Spins: Peter Gabriel - So

Beyond his handful of hits in steady rotation throughout the 80's, I knew relatively nothing about Peter Gabriel. I was aware of his origins as the front man for Genesis, but even then, never listened to any of that music either. My era of that group was the Phil Collins fronting. Basically, I guess I'm saying I went into Peter Gabriel's So with no expectations.

I have to admit I was hooked right from the start. The haunting lyrics of Red Rain sucked me in, investing me what I was hearing. In general, So had a vibe of being different from what I was accustomed to hearing from the era, and I liked it a lot.

Even as I type this, I'm only on track four, and I have yet to hear a song which I didn't like. I'm so into it that my next step is going to be to track down other albums from the artist. I had to switch gears and hop over to ebay, where I picked up his 1980 self titled album and his 1982 self titled album (AKA Security). In addition to these, I picked up his two soundtracks, 1985's, Birdy and 1989's Passion (The Last Temptation Of Christ). These, plus So, cover his entire 80's release of studio / soundtrack albums.

On a side note, while look at his discography, I actually got a laugh out of him having four back to back self tiled albums.

This brought me up to track six, which at this point, I still hadn't heard anything I didn't like. That was until track eight, We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37). It wasn't bad, but the overall sound of the album kind of wore thin at this point. So ended on a flat note with This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds). Mind you, this was actually a track only included on the original cassette and CD versions of the album, and not the vinyl pressings.

In retrospect, I don't know that I necessarily "liked" everything on the record. I think what really intrigued me about it was how different it initially sounded. Still, it wasn't bad. I enjoyed hearing it from start to finish.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.