Reviews (page 2 of 8)
I listened to the Peter Gabriel albums just before starting on this website. I remember liking the odd number Petes, and No Self Control has been a favourite song since then. This is just great, it's pretty unique and experimental but it's still so strong and easy to listen to.
This is an album that shouldn't have been recorded, let alone listen to. I recognised one song, it wasn't very good.
What a ballsy way to open an album—noisy, dissonant, creepy, bizarre. And, importantly, fucking awesome. I love Peter Gabriel, and I think this might be his strongest, most Peter Gabriel-y album (even if I prefer So).
Der hat zwischendurch echt eigenartige Sachen gemacht. Nicht schlecht, aber irgendwie für mich auch nicht so richtig greifbar.
"So" fand ich so großartig, damit verglichen ist mir das hier zu gitarrenlastig und altbacken, wenn auch immer noch solide. Ist aber einer der Künstler hier, zu dem sich meine Meinung durch die Challenge sehr geändert hat, schätze ihn jetzt sehr.
07/09/2026 Peter Gabriel never sets the world alight for me. A solid, average album at best. Spotify listeners: 5.2 million
My favorite tracks are "Not One Of Us", "Family Snapshot" and "I Don't Remember"... "Lead A Normal Life" made me feel a sense of dread, but it just shows how good Peter Gabriel is at his craft.. ❤️ I like it... ❤️ Thank you
A lush pop album we should have heard more on the radio. The ban of cymbals was an interesting artistic choice in the studio, and I'm sure made Phil frustrated at first. There are songs that are definitely catchy enough. And then we still have Peter's fascination with African sounds echoed here in "Biko". All in all, a decent spin. My Rating: 4/5
I was expecting more. Games without frontiers is an outstanding track but nothing else on the album gets close
A masterpiece. A great assembly of musicians. Phil Collins finds his sound and produces one of his better drumming performances.
Nothing worthy in my opinion. Politically relevant song: "Games Without Frontiers".
Sounds like Eno at first, a bit Joy Divisiony, Berlin Bowie, and some Robert Wyatt. I like it. Something interesting about the birth of that terrible 80s drum sound, here it still sounds good. 4 Heard before? No Owned: No, 105/405 (25%) Will I get: Maybe
Not bad. Not So but good.
nice enough
One of the all time bangers. Some of my favorite instrumental choices and plenty of interesting stories. We have this album to thank for being an opening the door and setting the stage for the rest of amazing 80s albums. It has it all, Fairlight Synthesizers, gated reverb drums, genre smashing, sax solos, interesting characters and stories, all while remaining accessible to everyone. It is amazing that he would manage 3 different 5 star albums in the same decade. Each, shaping what everyone else would chase for the rest of the decade with MELT, SECURITY, and SO. One of the best album runs any artist could ever hope for. People call this art rock, but it was always Pop and there is not something that requires apology. For my money, the 80s were the best bang for your buck of complex Pop music. This list often chooses the wrong albums from the 80s, ignoring what the 80s did better than any other decade: Joy, while acknowledging improvements can be had. Favorites: "Intruder", "No Self Control", "Start", "I Don't Remember", "Family Snapshot", "And Through the Wire", "Games Without Frontiers", "Lead a Normal Life", "Biko"
Peter Gabriel's So is easily one of my favorite albums of the 80s, and I figured this would be in a similar vein. However I ultimately found this album far less accessible. It's definitely experimental and pushing the boundaries of pop music, but is hard to get traction on these songs. I recognize Games Without Frontiers from the radio back in the day... but I didn't enjoy the song as much as I thought I did. I think Gabriel finds a better balance of experimentation and accessibility on future releases.
This was quite a cool and creative record. Gabriel bring all sorts of impressive vocal performances and power mixed with strange, captivating sounds that are often catchy yet experimental and a bit haunting. The presence of such potent, intriguing songwriting on tracks like Family Snapshot and the tribute Biko make this a winner all-around. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Biko, I Don’t Remember, Intruder, Family Snapshot
A fondly familiar voice from yesteryear.
I'm not sure how to rate thus album! Very experimental and all over the place - lots interesting but not many full songs I would just want to listen to. Feels wrong, but think I'm a low 3.
What a find - I need to listen to this again - varied art indie
Experimental, diverse but all good.
This album has been out in the wild for almost 50 years yet I'm not sure I've ever heard anything else that sounds like it. It is a highly artistic, fragmented Art Pop album, elusive and angular, mixing attractive and unattractive sounds. I am unable to fully pin down what Peter Gabriel is doing but I can only imagine my appreciation would grow with more listens.
Yeah this is getting a low 4 from me. Great production and interesting songwriting, very good!
Peter Gabriel is one of those artists where when I’m asked, I’ll tell you that the only song I know off rip of his is “Sledgehammer”. It’s his finest work, as well as being the greatest music video of all time. Unfortunately, I already got to listen to that album, “So”, and I gave it a 3. Imagine my surprise when I listened to this album a few times today and actually think it’s better than So overall. My biggest complaint with that album was that every song was just so slow and light besides “Sledgehammer”. Now, I’m fine with slow songs. They’re not my favorite, but I also don’t want to actively listen to albums like that on repeat. So, again, imagine my surprise when this album felt very similar, and yet I’m going to give it a 4 star review. I really just think that the sounds and background elements make this one interesting throughout the album, even with the slow pace. This album also does have a goated first 4 songs though. I already had “Intruder” saved to my Spotify, which I had forgotten about. That song is extremely weird, as weird as it is ear pleasing. Peter has an amazing voice, that much is obvious. Mix his great vocals with the unique sound effects of “Intruder”, and you’ve got my favorite song on the album. It’s just such a weird album, maybe even a little creepy, but it all works surprisingly well. It’s well done for sure. The album art is also very interesting, if not also very minimalistic. After “Intruder” is “No Self Control”, which recency bias really had me wanting to pick as my favorite, as I’d never heard it or the rest of the album before today. And for the second time in a row, I’m introduced to a very unusual instrument being used, which I’ve discovered is a marimba. And you know what?? That’s something I kind truly captivating about Peter Gabriel in general on this album. The production is great, his vocals are great, and he’s so creative and inventive with his sound, both vocally and instrumentation/sound-effect-wise. “No Self Control” also features a frequent collaborator of Peter’s, one Kate Bush on backing vocals, and when she’s not putting us through a solo album, I think she does a fantastic job. This song was no exception. “Start” is a beautiful little sax filled intermission. Not a lot to say about it, but it helps keep the album interesting, considering how high energy the next song is, “I Don’t Remember”, which starts out with Peter wailing. It’s such a different energy from the previous song, and keeps the album from sounding too samey, which I felt So fell victim to a bit. The rest of the album is also great, but I just wanted to talk about that fantastic opening couple of songs. The whole album is just so different and delightfully weird. I’m really starting to become a big fan of Peter Gabriel’s. This is the second of 3 albums of his I’ll have the pleasure of listening to for this project, following the previously mentioned So. And yeah, unpopular opinion, as a whole, I like this one better. It doesn’t have “Sledgehammer”, but it’s got a better setlist overall I feel. Excited to check the third album on here out. As always, time and the random nature of this website will tell when I’m able to listen to it. Until then, stay weird.
I've heard some of Peter Gabriel's more popular songs and of course know him from Genesis. This had elements of his earlier work but feels a lot different than his mainstream work later on. Had a darker almost industrial vibe at times that probably inspired NIN. His vocals were amazing as always and tracks were varied and interesting.
Have I listened to this album before How familiar am I with this album Unfamiliar How do I feel about this artist? Nuetral Pre-Listen Thoughts: Out of all the Pater Gabriel songs I know, none of them are on this album. I predict 3-4 stars. Favorite track(s): Games without Frontiers Post-Listen Thoughts: This was OK. I think I’ll like some of his other solo work and Genesis more than this album
My god do I love Peter Gabriel.
Nah fam
Manages to be out there experimental but still very listenable and “pop” in its own way
Very 80s production. Weird album, angsty singing, didn't really enjoy it.
As flawed as it is, I love this album to bits. Gabriel's signature brand if epic songwriting condensed into synth-laden 80s bangers. Can't help but adore it.
Pretty good, even after all these years.
Great album that I have heard many times. Not my favorite of his work but still really good stuff. Vocals, lyrics, and music are top notch. Doesn't have the hits that "So" has but I will still be listening to this one many more times.
Peter Gabriel’s Melt was an interesting listen, but ultimately not an album I’d probably return to. It has a very distinctive and experimental sound, with dark atmospheres, unusual percussion, and Gabriel’s unique vocals. Tracks like “Games Without Frontiers” and “Biko” stood out to me, but overall the album didn’t completely connect with me. I can appreciate what Gabriel was trying to do with the record, especially its production and rhythmic focus, but it felt more interesting from an artistic perspective than something I genuinely enjoyed listening to. There are definitely some memorable moments, but not enough for me to want to revisit the album. Overall, Melt was worth hearing once, and I can understand why it’s considered an important album, but I probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
Premier album ecouté dans la nouvelle maison, aurait été mieux sans les coups de marteau de Joel
agradable de escuchar
397/1001 Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel 3: Melt Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ This is a bit of a strange one, as the production is so of its time, that it does date it, but it's also really strange, so it's a compelling listen. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it enough to warrant another listen...
Favorite Track: Intruder
5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background
Some interesting ideas and experimentation, but not a great album.
I like other Peter Gabriel but this one struck me at the beginning as a bit too experimental, but it really picked up as it went. Games without Frontiers is a straight bop.
Great album. Love the Fripp stuff mixed in with the melodies of Gabriel, lots of really interesting tension that makes for some beautiful moments
Pretty cool stuff, like British David Byrne
Somewhere between mainstream and experimental a good Gabriel album, some strong tracks.
This is definitely my favourite Peter Gabriel solo album of the few that I've heard (two previously in this challenge, plus a couple others). It's dark and brooding, but also still has that Peter Gabriel pop songwriting touch to make it impossible to resist.
Unfortunately I did not see the vision here. It just wasn't very interesting musically.
Oh yeah, this man art rocks all over the place. Some ideas worked for me, others seemed overindulgent and sort of lost me. The reverby 80s sound definitely didn't help. I think it lands right on a 3 for me. Standouts: Intruder • Start • I Don't Remember • Biko
Peter Gabriel is a slippery beast. He tends to spend a lot of time on any given idea, which leads to some great songs but also causes some long and boring shit to sneak in. While I felt this was the fulfillment of the potential I sas on Peter Gabriel 1, there were some long and dragging bits I would've cut out. 3.5 but have to round down.
Great album!!
While Peter may discredit most if not all of his music from Genesis as "schoolboy music", it's clear that his keen sense of music weirdness was still fairly important to his identity as a musician. Peter Gabriel 3 (sometimes called/added Melt because he's doing the Chicago way of naming his early solo albums) is the perfect mix of his music sensibilities and songwriting that doesn't involve forest battles and whatever the hell happens in The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Almost kind of like David Byrne in a way with regard to themes of alienation, paranoia, and other feelings of a post-industrial way of life. Also notable for being the first album to use that 80s gated reverb snare sound, as Phil Collins did some drums for this record. You can hear it all over Intruder and the beginning of I Don't Remember. A good 80s classic record filled of conventional weirdness and a commercial underbelly. Rest in Power Bantu Stephen Biko
good album i think>?
The cover is horrible, the music better. He was better in Genesis. Listen to The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
I see that it’s popular and it sure had some great moments but I can’t get past the non-metal screaming. No one needs that
This was an OK listen.
I'M A LITTLE BEHIND OK Hmmm I'd say solid 3, I need to listen to it again
The tracks flows really well. I take some time to really enjoy this album, now I see how is a great album, so simple but with a lot of intricacies. It closes in the best way.
Interesting opener. It's like The Cure meets Depeche Mode (so we're talking a post-punk new-wave with synth inflections) Then No Self Control feels like an avant-garde Phil Collins Games Without Frontiers feels familiar, but also unusual I like it overall. It's like a bridge between Kraftwerk, Brian Eno's Another Green World, and the 80s new-wave (Depeche Mode and synthpop) Global influence in Biko, and is that with bagpipes?? Best track - Intruder, Games Without Frontiers, Not One of Us, Lead a Normal Life 4 stars - good tracks and clearly very influential.
Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Kate Bush, and Tony Levin? Sign me up!!
Percussion-driven perfection garnished with lil twists of melody and yearning.
I thought I’d hate this from the beginning of the first song but it actually was pretty good! More of a 3.5/5
Not my favorite era but I liked it. Games Without Frontiers and Intruder were standouts
Best Track - "Games Without Frontiers"
Love PG
Good Peter Gabriel album but not the best I've heard from him
Mama mag Peter Gabriel, deswegen war ich glaube ich vorbelastet. It's nice/ok. It's making me sad. I probably won't listen again.
When this first started, I had to double-check that I was playing the right album. For a second, I thought I'd accidentally put on something like N.I.N. I did really enjoyed this one. I was surprised by how experimental and dark it is, especially compared to what I expected from a 1980 album. The production is bold, the atmosphere is unsettling in all the right ways, and you can hear just how influential this record became. This isn't as immediately accessible as So, but it's a great listen and one that exceeded my expectations. I'll definitely be coming back to it.
Avant garde, but not in the good way. "Games Without Frontiers" stands out as the only good song for me, personally.
J’avais un mauvais a priori sur Peter Gabriel et un peu la flemme de cet album. Finalement c’était vraiment super, je mets un 5 pour y retourner quel banger voix sonorités originales y’a tout
Gear: ZMF Auteur Classic LTD Shedua Artwork: 🕯️🫠🔲 Production (2009 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎨🖤🤯 Rating: 🫠🫠🫠🫠(🫠)/5
Is this really essential Peter Gabriel? Biko is, but the whole album?
A positive surprise.
Peter Gabriel: 2 - you got greedy sunshine Some stuff on here that is okay, but just too much nonsense and his voice is kinda grating after a few minutes
Enjoyed more than I thought but is still painfully 80s. And with maybe every single instrument they could find. and far too much whistling
Day936 - i’m more of a pop-prog peter gabriel guy. biko is a hidden gem
Scary first tune. Primus version is also good
I like Peter Gabriel, I like this album. Some songs are only slightly above average but most are excellent
Replace "Gabriel" with "Griffin", not so funny now, is it? This album started off pretty good but then retreated into mediocrity.
No, don't like
Not much to say other than it is a fun listen for the most part
The hardest reviews are for albums I know and love. This is, absolutely, one of them by. It is a masterpiece in Gabriel's output and a masterpiece of 80's rock. It's challenging in a lot of ways. Experimental sounds, unusual production ideas, disturbing themes, non-standard instrumentation, there's so much here. But it's so well crafted, and the songs structures are familiar enough, that all that experimentation and strangeness just enriches it without making it unlistenable. I think about "Not One of Us" on a weekly basis.
A darker, percussive, more imposing precursor to the likes of So, it doesn't have the same highs but it's a respectable and artistic body of songs. The intimidating atmosphere is loud and present
Un poco increíble que sea tan buen disco. Pasan muchísimas cosas, se nota antiguo pero se nota también como una piedra angular. Mola.
esse tal de peter gabriel é bom demais mesmo
The variety in percussion (especially the mallet instruments) brings this from a high 3 to a medium high 4. THAT’S how you make a sound that stands out without sounding absolutely crazy
*PG3* is the apex of Peter Gabriel's solo work, as he moved away from the tentative art rock of his first two albums to an expansive yet experimental sound that deftly weaves various electric and electronic elements into a stunning whole. Gabriel's melodic sense is in fine form here and the fractured and angular arrangements on this record keep the music from drifting into the blander sound that followed on albums like *So*.
I honestly didn’t have too many thoughts about a lot of this album. I thought there were some good moments, there were some moments when I was bored, but it was decent. 3/5 ⭐️ 203/1089
Too weirdly arty for my liking.
This was like a worse (?!?!?!) Phil Collins.
Eh, it was fine. It sounded like Peter Gabriel, nothing particularly noteworthy IMO.
It's a slight departure from his work with Genesis. It balances guitar-oriented songs with synthesizer and/or more pop-oriented songs. An underrated 80's classic! Really good album!
This guy drains the energy and life out of everything. That whiny voice man just keep it away from me.
high 2, it sounds like lamb done in 80s post punk/pop
Interesting album, can’t say I’ve heard something like it but I don’t feel like it was amazing. Would give 3 and a half stars if I could
Spun my vinyl. This one’s not my favorite Peter Gabriel, but it does have its special moments.
I mean games without frontiers nothing else needs to be said.
Peter Gabriel 3 is, in fact, the third and final album I’ve received by PG from 1001. Tried as I could, I was not able to fully embrace the others (especially the synth-heavy “So”). I knew “3” would come one day and I wondered if the third time would be a charm. Well, charming is an odd way to describe an album that seems to move from the individually neurotic and alienated (first half) to the larger, even global, impact of this alienation from each other (second half). But there it is. From the opening of this album I could buy in. Those first three (full) songs are fantastic. And for me the album as a whole improves on the second listen. Has this album ever been compared to Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light”? That is an interesting Venn Diagram. Both released 1980. What that album has that this one doesn’t, however, are eruptions of sheer joy—which is another way of saying it has Chris Franz and Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison. What this one has is more darkness than light, and marimbas. Unexpected 4.5/5 to me, rounding up to 5. Doesn’t make me want to revisit Gabriel but it makes me want to keep this one at hand.
Even Peter Gabriel himself gave this album a 3
Interessante. Molto strano sentire la voce di Peter Gabriel accostata a questo genere.
First Listen; 3.5; Very ominous music. Has a very sparse feel yet very diverse instrumentation. Really quirky melodies, very tense feeling. It's almost hard to understand how this all comes together to make songs and an album. It feels like every track is doing something a little bit different, and even within songs there's sometimes just barely enough to keep the song going. But I guess when that's all pulled together, that's what helps to give the album it's overall form. A record that I will definitely give another listen in the future. Favorite Track: Games Without Frontier
He really doesnt disappoint.
Bowie meets Talking Heads in an artful pop explosion of taught Cold war paranoid funk and exuberant techno optimistic synth pop.
3.0
I do like him, but this is not my favorite.
Started charmed but it started to get kind of old quick. I'm just not a huge fan of Gabriel's vocals. "Through the Wire" kinda sucks ugggh make it end pleasee
Great album, almost no notes, but the intro to the album almost turned me off. And the outro is mid af
Very solid album, no real standout tunes but a cool sound all the way through
Good stuff. Should have listened to Peter Gabriel before but never really have. The sort of album I wanted from this list.
It's not a bad album. Peter Gabriel is no doubt a talented musician, and I love some the experimental elements of the album. It has shades of Bowie, if not quite as daring or interesting. Still, an overall enjoyable listen.
Experimental and enjoyable
Дуже класна індивідуальна робота на інструментах. Класні барабанні партії, класні гітари, бас. Але в одну прямо класну пісню це вилилось рази два чи три. Оцінка: середня-висока 7
This one would probably benefit from more listens. In a first listen, much of it was too aggressively odd, which is not something I associate with the later, more commercial Gabriel. Flashes of greatness are here, like the well-known songs “Games Without Frontiers” and “Biko.”
This is an ok album. I prefer it to his So album which was mostly soft rock with the exception of Sledgehammer and Big Time which are a pair of upbeat bangers. This album does go into more of a post punk sound with a few that are kinda catchy.
es que, ya???, no destacó mucho, pero tampoco es que fuera malo, solo que no se si me imagino a alguien diciendo que alguna de las canciones dentro del álbum es su favorita, i meannn está bien, pero that´s kinda the problem
eh
I really wanted to like this more. I just kept forgetting it was on. "Games Without Frontiers" is a banger though
Quite a good album, highly expiremental with some wacky noises going through the music. 3/5
I haven’t heard this before, but I’ve heard most of these songs. The production on this is extremely early 80s, with overprocessed guitar and drums that have so much effects and gated reverb that it may as well be a drum machine, but it works with the weirdness of the songs. Except for the smoky saxophone, that still sounds pretty corny. I like the weirdness of most of these songs, but a few of them fall flat.
Enjoyed parts of this but it was quite strange
Games without Frontiers and Biko are the ones
I've always liked this album but find that I love about 2/3 of it, the balance varies from okay to bad.
Great!
Peter Gabriel at his creative peak right here. This album perfectly walks the line of not being super out there like much of his later stuff (which to be fair I still absolutely love), but at the same time not being as straightforward as his earlier stuff. And you're left with an album that can just be enjoyed on so many levels, as the experimentation is definitely still there, and yet this also works as a nice simple rock album that's easy to listen to.
Peter Gabriel's third album, universally known as *Melt* due to its iconic cover art, is a landmark of art-rock and a pivotal moment in its creator's career. Released in 1980, it's where Gabriel shed his progressive-rock past and fully defined his identity as a solo artist . The album is a cohesive, unsettling masterpiece that explores dark psychological and political themes through a revolutionary sonic approach . ### 🎵 Music and Production: The Sound of a New Decade The music on *Melt* is defined by its groundbreaking production and "rhythm-first" philosophy. Gabriel shifted his songwriting process, letting rhythm, rather than chord changes, be the foundation, which he described as the "spine of music" . This approach resulted in a tense, percussion-driven album that redefined the sound of the 1980s . **The No-Cymbals Rule and Gated Reverb** The most famous production rule was the ban on cymbals and hi-hats, a decision that immediately set the album apart . This freed up sonic space, creating a tense, tribal, and "ominous" feel . The absence of cymbals was paired with the now-iconic **gated reverb** effect on the drums, pioneered by engineer Hugh Padgham and producer Steve Lillywhite . The massive, cavernous drum sound heard on tracks like "Intruder" was perfected here, famously reused by Phil Collins on "In the Air Tonight" . The production created a "dark noisy hellscape frontier of an album," where the sound is "clear and powerful" but constantly edgy . The use of the Fairlight CMI synthesizer also placed the album at the forefront of the new wave of technology-driven music . ### 🎤 Lyrics and Themes: A Mirror to the Dark Side The lyrics on *Melt* mark a significant leap forward for Gabriel, becoming more direct and thematically cohesive than his previous work . While he described it as "the history of a decaying mind," the album also serves as a sharp critique of society . The themes are a collection of harrowing character studies and social observations: * **Mental Illness and Obsession:** "Intruder" is a chilling narrative from a stalker's perspective, while "No Self Control" deals with compulsive behavior and anxiety . * **Violence and Fame:** "Family Snapshot" is a masterful, suspenseful character study of a would-be assassin, inspired by figures like Lee Harvey Oswald, exploring the desperate need for recognition . * **Politics and Prejudice:** "Games Without Frontiers" is a satire of international politics as childish play, while "Not One of Us" tackles xenophobia and the persecution of outsiders . * **Protest:** The album's powerful closer, "Biko," is a eulogy and a protest against apartheid, telling the story of the murdered South African activist Steve Biko . It was one of the first major pop songs to bring global attention to the issue . ### 💡 Influence: A Blueprint for the Future *Melt*'s influence is immense. Its production techniques, particularly the gated drum sound, became a defining characteristic of 80s pop and rock, for better or worse . The album's fusion of art-rock, new wave, and world music textures (especially in "Biko") paved the way for Gabriel's future explorations and inspired a generation of artists . It is "generally regarded as Gabriel's finest record" and a key moment where he became "the finest exponent of art-rock in the world" . ### ⚖️ Pros and Cons Here is a breakdown of the album's strengths and weaknesses, based on critical and fan perspectives. **PROS**|**CONS** ---|--- **Groundbreaking Production:** The innovative use of gated reverb and the ban on cymbals created a uniquely dark, tense, and powerful sonic landscape that still sounds fresh today .|**One Slightly Weaker Track:** "Not One of Us," while still a good song, is often cited as the album's one weak spot, its intelligence sometimes coming at the expense of emotional impact . **Cohesive and Powerful Themes:** The lyrics provide a fascinating, dark, and unified exploration of psychological breakdown, social alienation, and political injustice .|**A Minor Relic of Its Time:** While brilliant, the album's "chilly jaggedness" and pioneering sound can feel like a product of its era, and some of the "gated reverb" sound became a cliché in the 80s . **Incredible Musicianship:** The album features stellar performances from an all-star cast including Robert Fripp, Phil Collins, Jerry Marotta, Kate Bush, and Tony Levin, all contributing to its unique sound .|**Risk of Alienation:** For listeners expecting the pop sensibilities of his later work like *So*, the album's "scary," "ominous," and "quirky" nature can be challenging or off-putting . **Massive Influence:** *Melt* was a hugely influential record, establishing the "sound of the 80s" and solidifying Gabriel's reputation as a visionary artist .|**Potential Lyrical Overload:** The album's densely packed "psychological treatise" on the human condition can be intense, and some might find the dark themes a bit relentless . ### ✍️ The Verdict *Peter Gabriel 3: Melt* is a timeless classic that captures a brilliant artist at a creative peak. It is a rewarding, albeit occasionally challenging, listen for anyone interested in the evolution of modern rock music. Its dark themes, innovative production, and unflinching look at society make it an essential and fascinating work.
Really pleasantly surprised by this. Was not expecting to enjoy it.
Some cool tracks on here. Strong 3.5 3/5 Top Tracks: Start, I Don't Remember, Games Without Frontiers, Lead a Normal Life
In between Peter Gabiel's first solo album, where he is still doing the arty/proggy music like early 70s Genesis, and So, where he's gone full 80s arty/pop, comes this album where he's just arty. It's very Bowie with some Talking Heads, and still a bit of Genesis (complete with Phil Collins on drums for a few of the tracks). It may be in the middle of a transition, but it's a masterpiece. I think it's his best solo album, although So is close. Gabriel is the master of making experimental music sound mainstream.
(strong 7/10) A pretty intriguing and challenging piece of work from art rock extraordinaire Peter Gabriel. The themes on this album are a bit unsettling, which match the album cover perfectly. The sonic palette is unique, with plenty of musical virtuosos lending their chops to this album. Tony Levin appears with his Chapman Stick, Kate Bush lends her voice to the backing vocals, Robert Fripp appears as well contributing guitars, the list goes on! I think the high points are really high, "No Self Control" and "Intruder" are a great one-two of inventive rock music with bizarre lyrics. "Family Snapshot" is rather underrated and "Games Without Frontiers" is probably the strangest song on the album, especially so since it was a single for this record. I think the album kind of slows down a lot after that aforementioned track, "Not One Of Us", "Lead a Normal Life" and "Biko" leave just a bit to be desired for me at the moment, but there's no denying that this album has a lot to give and I believe on more revisits I'll start to like it more.
Great album!
Peter Gabriel is a mystery to me. Is he pop or is he alternative? He’s clearly counter culture but did punk fans like him? Was he big at the time or after the fact? Does he exist outside of the 80s? Either way, he’s a damn good songwriter 7.5 / 10 Best track/s: I don’t remember, Biko, Family screenshot
Manic and supremely well-executed experimental art rock. Not for the passive listener - there's a lot to take from this if one is paying attention.
Hér ætla ég að fá að bregða mér í smá sagnfræðingsgír og gefa fimm stjörnur fyrir sögulegt mikilvægi, það er eins og maður heyri stóran hluta níundatugarins verða til á þessari plötu, amk. gítar og trommusoundið. Svo eru lögin þrusugóð og umslagið súpertöff líka.
There are some bits. I guess I didn't know what exactly to expect, but of course I knew he's from that one band that I know little and care less about. So I wasn't expecting much. But it was better than that. Pleasant surprise. But I won't be returning. Best wishes, see you later. (Not really tho. that's just a phrase.) 2 & 1/4
The generator is on fire. After Black Sabbath an other lifetime favourite of mine: Peter Gabriel. Games without Frontiers and Biko are certainly the main songs of this album, but the other tracks are also extraordinary.
Not the best petey gabby
Since starting this, I have discovered that I love Peter Gabriel and I hate Prog. 4 stars because Games Without Frontiers is just not good.
Obviously great, but I'm pretty basic. I just want to hear Sledgehammer.
Big fan
Actually pretty darn good, a bit quirky but good overall
Nice one.
Balances the proclivities for proggy noodling with some post punk tautness to make an enjoyable enough album, still far too mawkish for mine.
boring
I do not see myself as a big fan of Peter Gabriel but this is an excellent album. 5 stars or A.
1980. Acclaimed as Gabriel's artistic breakthrough. He banned the cymbals to be more creative.
Not his best work but still liked it
I was really not looking forward to this one, but this turned out to be a bloody good album
Do you like marimba? Then this is the album for you because I have never heard so much of it on any other album before. It is interesting at first but by the fifth song with it, it becomes old and repetitive. I appreciate incorporating global influences into the music, but this is more miss than hit for me.
Very nice music, very very nice - well balanced, harmonized, coherent.
It's a grower this!
Pretty good
lots of interesting sounds, and dramatic arrangements - progressive pop ?
Sorry, Peter. I wasn’t really in the mood to properly rate this album. Biko is obviously a fantastic song
Some interesting stuff on this album. Can't say it was exactly my jam, but it wasn't boring.
Ok ok not too bad not too good, it had a sort of dark mysterious vibe, Too many rock consecutively ho gya toh can't give a very critical review pr not too bad nor v amazing Biko, intruder, i don't remember were i likey
Peter Gabriel + Genesis = Fantastic. Apart, both bad. As is this ouvre.
Was in a bad mood for it but I’m not sure if that’s why
I like this album, love the track I don't remember.
3 Peter Gabriels too many. I don't really like this. I'm sure at the time it was better, but, like the other one I've had, it's dated and a bit dull.
Not the best in the Gabriel canon but still pretty damn great
4/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/peter-gabriel/peter-gabriel/ Starts with two amazingly brooding tracks and turns into a more new wavy album after that, but not less cool. Should listen to little old Peter more, because the two albums so far I dig!
I think it’s not really for me, but at least I like And through the wire, great guitar riff and just the perfect guitar tone!
good
++: Intruder, No Self Control, Start +: I Don't Remember, And Through the Wire +-: Games Without Frontiers, Not One of Us, Lead a Normal Life -: Family Snapshot, Biko 5,8/10
This is it! This is how you make a proper Pop album. A wide array of genres throughout the tracklist. Political statements that do not come across as obnoxious or hamfisted. I really like how the album starts quite dark with "Intruder" and "No Self-Control" and then comes the interlude "Start" followed by poppier and more accessible numbers, as if this is the album begins again. Amazing, classic, but still somewhat underrated. Key tracks: Intruder No Self-Control I Don't Remember Games Without Frontiers Not One of Us Biko
Meh. I liked Peter Gabriel 1 better.
not easy, worth it, big player
revisit
Prog rock - super operatic album start to finish. Two hit big songs I knew. Was a different cup of tea than i expected
I love Intruder, the track that basically invented the 80s gated reverb drum sound. It's got it's own Wiki article and I've just been boning up on the funeral pings of the live room va effects processor method of achieving the sound. Rest of the album is pretty good too. I enjoyed it so much, I went back and listened to it again in German.
Neat album! Biko goes hard.
mi piace troppo quest’album, games without frontiers un pezzone. Canta trattenendo molto, lo fa in modo sarcastico
Just great. PG was so much better as a solo artist than with Genesis. And Genesis was so much better without him. Wins all around!
Peter Gabriel was a little fucking weirdo in the 80s and time has not altered that perception. Outside of the one hit in this album (Games Without Frintiers) the rest of the tracks are mediocre at best and down right annoying at worst. Plus 1 for the hit.
I found this to be much better than Car, the first Peter Gabriel album I heard, due to how eclectic it /isn't./ I thought that album didn't have a strong enough sonic foundation, and it zig-zagged all over the place. This has a musical palette that it sticks with through pretty much the entire record, and I thought it was great! It's catchy, it's fun and exciting...very straightforward. Not every song sticks with me, and I'm not a huge fan of when lyrics are extremely unsubtle (like Games Without Frontiers, or Biko to a lesser extent) but there are a lot of songs that I can happily take home with me from this record!
Meh
Strong messaging in here. I was only really familiar with Peter Gabriel through his hits but enjoyed this
not my favorite Peter Gabriel album, but some very good songs. 3/5.
Ok this album cover is scaring me a little but let's see what we're getting into. British post punk new wave art rock. Wow. My favourite. Sure man. Let's get into it. You know, I always end up with a backlog of albums to listen to because I get busy and forget this exists, then I listen to them and sure there's some slop in there, but as a whole it makes me remember why I love this project and I find some real gems. Then the last album is always, ALWAYS some bullshit that makes me want to forget about this again. What the fuck is this. I'm sure this was as groundbreaking as every other English album from the 70s and 80s, and I'm sure it was soooooo counterculture and groundbreaking and activist, but I just can't hear it man. I would compare this to him pulling his dick out and slapping it on the microphone, but I honestly think I might have enjoyed that more. At least I wouldn't have to listen to these dulcet tones. If you're going to sing about being a perverted stalkerish character watching a beautiful woman you at least have to be hot, even in an ugly way, or interesting. You are nether of these things, Mr. Gabriel. I also love when I write an essay of hate for an album after listening to the first track, then get to the second and actually kindve enjoy it. Reminds me a little of Phil Collins. Slightly above the dick slapping, miles above intruder. Ok this may be better than the first track but I think the reprieve from intruder may be skewing my taste because this isn't particularly good either. Why oh why does every Englishman think they're so different and edgy. Please stop. Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, cabbage woman, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Queen Lizzie (1 & 2), Meghan Markle, whoever's in charge nowadays, please you've got to put a stop to this. I don't like this. Oh Phil Collins actually helped on this. And was bandmates with this guy for a while. Hmm. Am I a musical genius. Holy shit this is ruining my mood. This is making me mad. I don't like this guy. What is this guy on about. Ruinin my fuckin day. Fuck offfffff. Favourite: And Through The Wire Least favourite: Intruder
Peter Gabriel has a unique sound - both voice and musical style - that’s generally appealing. But he sprinkles his hits among otherwise “just okay” songs.
Interesting but nothing was outstanding. You can definitely see flashes of what came later.
More experimental than Peter Gabriel 1 from earlier, not quite to my level past a 3 but it was enjoyable for the day
1.5
çok ama çok beğendim. hiç duymadığım biriydi. özellikle albümün 2 iki şarkısı all time fav'larımdan birine dönmüş olabilir. bu tarz 1970-80ler alt rock'a bayılıyorum
Det er litt som Berlin-era Bowie krysset med Gary Numan. Et alternative history 80s Bowie. Sterk 3er.
Enig med andre her om at det er litt Berlin era David Bowie. Så denne får få samme karakter
One of the best albums by one of the best artists of all time. In my opinion. Love it. I love when I have the album on vinyl. This was actually the first record I bought on vinyl.
Great early Peter Gabriel album. I feel like it is actually maybe a good point that he hadn't really sunk into a signature sound by this point. The album has good variance and, while it isn't perfect, it has about five really strong tracks on it. Games Without Frontiers is always a treat.
I like this better than some of the other albums. Intruder is an interesting song.
Meh
Gabriel has always been ahead of his time and willing to try new things. In this one he explored percussion in a very non traditional way, while still remaining melodic and accessible. The songs are haunting and will stick with you.
It's an interesting album, I wouldn't say it's great but I wouldn't say it's bad. A solid 3
good album. not his best, but some definite highs - "biko" is a powerful album closer and i've seen him close with it live as well. "i don't remember" and "family snapshot" are highlights as well. i even have the german version of this album. some big players on the album too. fripp, kate bush, phil collins, dave gregory, paul weller.
Not to the level of his self titled album but still well done and interesting.
Excellent musically, superb songs that still sound fresh
Fine. I like track 6
boring
interesting album showing unique range of Mr Gabriel.
cool
Hell yeah, another Peter Gabriel! This one is crazy af and is definitely an entire album highlighting the crazy, deranged, and evil parts of the human race. Maybe it's a call to the era it was produced, maybe it's commentary on humanity at a larger scale, maybe it's Peter Gabriel just doing Peter Gabriel shit. I loved it, it's so fuckin weird and eerie. Here's a fun though experiment: This album is about Dante's layers of Hell represented in Peter Gabriel's style. Purgatory/Limbo - "I Don't Remember" and "Lead a Normal Life" the exploration of feelings of disconnection, disassociation, and amnesia Lust - "Intruder" from the eyes of a hidden serial stalker watching his victim in her home. Gluttony - "No Self Control" and losing your sense of personal agency Anger & Violence - "Family Snapshot" which is inspired by the diaries of Bremer and the events of the JFK assassination. Heresy - "Games Without Frontiers" is several notable international names all leading different cultures against one another. Greed & Fraud - "Through the Wire" about a partnership based on deception, complication, and forced separation Treachery - "Not One of Us" being about racism and extreme xenophobia and "Biko" about Steve Biko who was murdered for being an activist. I love this album but everyone I know probably wouldn't. For me personally it's a 9/10
Favorite Song: Family Snapshot
2/5 Favorite Song: And Through the Wire
6/10 Very much what I expected. Super serious pop, with the questionable lyrics of Games Without Frontiers
Definitely enjoyed this one more than Peter Gabriel 1. Much more consistent, and has a few more memorable tracks. I'm not inspired to seek out more by him, but it's solid and I'm glad I've heard it.
peter gabriel made so many albums which would be fine if they were really good but at best theyre just kinda good. really makes u think
My second Peter Gabriel album in a week, and while I enjoyed the experimental approach and whimsical nature of his solo debut, I found this one far superior. I wasn't that familiar with Gabriel before and only recognized Games Without Frontiers from its airplay (never knew it was Kate Bush on the background and always thought it was just Gabriel in falsetto, saying "She's so funky now," which admittedly makes no sense). I enjoyed And Through the Wire, and I heard Talking Heads influences in I Don't Remember and Not One of Us. Is it possible for an artist to come across as unhinged and yet have an album that's cohesive? That's what I got from this one. The early 80s political messages of Games Without Frontiers and Biko were expertly delivered.
Games without frontiers is the only memorable song, and it's been overplayed for 40 years now.
english.
Better than I though 2.5
Le fameux album de Gabriel sans aucune cymbales.
Ah là je reconnais le Gabriel de Lamb! Intruder (et d'autres) sonne vraiment industriel c'est le fun. Effectivement probablement à cause du manque de cymbales. Je reste encore un peu amer de la prépondérance Gabriel mais de l'absence de Collins.
Meilleur que l’autre! Moins pop, plus « fucké ». Mais bon je pense que je ne serai jamais un PG guy!
Well, I wasn't expecting the scratchy Gang of Four guitar work to start the album. Fair play to Peter for listening to some of the post-punk sounds of the day and incorporating them into his sound after being in the least-punk band in history! Other bands I can hear are the Associates, Penetration, Monochrome Set... genuinely amazing! After the first song, not so amazing as Phil Collins's drums come to dominate 😭 Stars gained for the post-punk sounds, the politics and the incredible Games Against Frontiers and Biko. Stars lost for allowing Phil Collins anywhere near a recording studio.
Rating: 4.8/5 Short Review: Dark, primal, and emotionally raw. Blends art rock, tribal rhythm, and psychological tension into something genuinely unsettling at times. Feels like civilization cracking slightly at the edges. Favorite Track: “Games Without Frontiers.” Cold, catchy, and quietly sinister. The pop structure makes the paranoia hit even harder.
Highlights: Biko, Games Without Frontiers, Intruder and I Don’t Remember. 3.8
Still somewhat put off by Peter Gabriëls shouting vocals sometimes. But the rest of the album was a very nice experience. Drum heavy with interesting parts. Biko is a beautiful and important song
Ta bueno, el último tema está medio falopa pero copado. Ahora, ya está, todo muy lindo pero si aparece otro disco de Peter Gabriel se va a comer nota baja a menos que sea algo muy disitnto al So y este. Sape
Typical Peter Gabriel. Lots of interesting musical ideas set against a backdrop of insufferable wanker shit. 3.5/5
Bueno
3.4 I've found Peter Gabriel quite mixed before. This was quite mixed, but within one album. Some songs are quite got into it, others I was waiting for the end. It's unique, not aged the best but still holds up better than some of his stuff which came later. A good outing...ish
I love Peter Gabriel, but this album just wasn’t for me.
6/10: this should have really clicked with me, but it just didn’t to be honest. Phil Collins’ drum performance is excellent and it’s fun to get a bit of Kate Bush at a couple of points but I just didn’t really feel much of a pull to this album to be honest. I would revisit it in the future but for now I’m not hugely enamoured by it. Best song: Intruder
Favorite Tracks: - No Self Control - I Don’t Remember - Games Without Frontiers - Not One of Us
Enjoyed this a lot. Lots of different sounds, genres, instruments. Very pleasant listening
Had to Google him tbh, didn't realise he was in Genesis. Fun to see how much his music changed from Genesis through to this album. The album gave me Bowie vibes but I can see from every other global review that lots of people felt that way. I'm either generic or totally validated. Liked it and had time today so I listened to the German language version he created too would recommend it.
I thought that this is such an interesting album. Peter Gabriel really experimented with alternative motifs and song structure while still being catchy. When I was listening to it there were several times I thought to myself how creative you must be to craft a song some random sounds.
gran álbum. no le tenía nada de fe y no me gustó al inicio pero después encontré joyas
This was more annoying than anything else.
I love this record -- it was a daily listen around the time I was 22 years old. It's probably my favorite rock record of this era that has absolutely zero connections to punk or new wave. This is peak PG -- hooky songwriting, funky grooves, weird instrumental textures. There may be 1 or 2 skips (especially the JFK assassination showtune), but the rest of the album is basically perfect prog pop.
7.5/10
I dig Peter Gabriel. This album is no exception. Feels a bit darker than some of his other material. This is the second album of his on the list. I'm not sure if both warrant inclusion. Is one doing something dramatically different than the other? A good listen I'd happily run through again.
Dark and metallic and very, very Peter Gabriel. A fantastic array of musicians doing a bunch of thoughtful, moody songs that shouldn't have had any commercial appeal, but did (especially "Games Without Frontiers"). And I'll always remember seeing Gabriel perform "Biko" live - it's one of the most powerful musical experiences I've had. Not his best work, but damn good.
I listened, but I was distracted. Nothing really jumped out at me. Sorry, Peter.
Over-produced simple songs with whimsical lyrics and dark overtones. Meh.
Fantastic record! Copy/paste to read more: https://tinyurl.com/2hhy4rm8
Introduces instruments into pop music: marimba, bagpipes, etc. Decent voice, music itself is forgettable, lyrics may be poignant but got lost for me.
Hmm, a solo Peter Gabriel album... This would not be my first pick for inclusion, but it's here, and I will listen. The album itself is slightly arty pop-rock with strong songcraft and lyrics. This album is cited as the first album to use gated reverb on the drums(the big 80s snare), and the effect works very well here. Usually, gated reverb ages like milk, but here it aged pretty well. Aside from that, the lyrics are good and delivered very well here. Gabriel doesn't sound nearly as much like a folk singer as he does on his Genesis records, instead being a strong rock singer. This is an incredibly compelling early-80s rock album whose influence continued to be heard in the decade's definitive sound and production styles, for better or worse.
Was good. 3.6
better than his debut, but i think this might be the uncanny valley between pop and experimental music.
listened to again good stuff
There is something special about this guy. A wonderfully mesmerizing experience.
cute
Cracking album. Really enjoyed the whole thing, and has one of my favourite Peter Gabriel tracks on it (Games Without Frontiers). I am a Gabriel fan though, and have listened to him since the 80’s so this is right up my street.
I really like this but I don't love it. I did wonder whether there was some kind of Sliding Doors moment in my teens where Peter Gabriel's early solo albums could have taken the spot that Brian Eno's have for me. I don't think so though. There's a seriousness to some of the Gabriel stuff that would probably have stopped that - I'm a very shallow person 🙂
Not my favourite of his albums from that period but so close. I'm not sure why I'm holding off on giving it a five but there you go.
It's ok, not great
Peter Gabriel is at his best when he's being weird. Highlights: "Games Without Frontiers," "Intruder," "No Self Control." That's Kate Bush doing wordless backing vocals on "No Self Control" ("Don't Give Up" on So taught me to be on the alert for her). Kate Bush is also at her best when she's being weird (which seems to be always).
The real start of Gabriel as an original and innovative solo artist. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, fresh from XTC and engineered by Hugh Padgham, soon to reinvent the sound of the 80s with the Police, Phil Collins and Genesis. I didn't realise he was in Genesis when I was 10 but when I saw 'Games without frontiers' on TOTP, like Talking Heads, I made a mental note that this is an interesting artist. There are political songs, art rock songs with new wave production and the new presence of David Rhodes on guitar was significant for Gabriel as a live act. There are no cymbals on the record and the sound of the gated drum reverb is first heard by Phil Collins on 'Intruder'. It's a superb record - 1980 had a lot of them.
Didn’t “wow” me like it did others, but it definitely has its moments. More cohesive than his earlier solo album on this list, and gets stronger as it goes on. The ending pushes the rating up - “Biko” is a strong track.
Skillful and unique.. But there's no soul here.
Not bad.
Few songs will join my rotation. Not bad
8.5 / 10
Day 23 Peter Gabriel (1980) by Peter Gabriel Okay, this was fun and exciting. I’ve never really listened to Peter Gabriel’s solo stuff before, so I didn’t quite know what to expect. The first thing I noticed was the drums. It’s so obvious how much this record influenced the sound of the 80s. No cymbals, just that gated drum sound, and it still sounds fresh today. You can really hear the connection to Phil Collins and that whole era of production. It’s also quite experimental. There are some catchy melodies, but overall it’s tense, dark, and at times a bit eerie. It keeps you on edge in a good way. I really enjoyed this. I could definitely see myself coming back to it, and honestly it might grow into a 5 with more listens, but for now it’s a solid 4. Wine pairing? Something dark, bold, and a bit unusual. Maybe a Syrah or a natural wine with some funk to it. Food pairing? Something rich and slightly intense. Maybe slow-cooked lamb, or something with deep, earthy flavours like mushrooms or a dark sauce. Vinyl? Yeah, I’m buying this. Favourite song? “I Don’t Remember”. First listen? Yes. Overall 4 out of 5.
Very unique music. Didn't vibe fully with it. Liked the voice of the singer, but didn't like how the voice was altered.
Probably my favorite of the early Gabriels, even if it doesn't have my favorite song (Here Comes the Flood). Consistently good, musically inventive, lyrically a little embarrassing (Family Snapshot). You can hear him permanently switch musical gears over the 7 1/2 minutes of Biko.
Not bad at all. Unique and experimental.
Enjoyed listening to this one. Games Without Frontiers the standout track.
can't make up my mind here. i generally like it but it lacks some bite that other albums have...
Buen album, buenas canciones. Realmente un estándar pero de lo bueno y la buena música. En general, bueno. Buenazo.
Nice
(5/7) some good stuff, some too experimental
Intruder - 4/5 No Self Control - 4.5/5 Start - 3.5/5 I Don't Remember - 3/5 Family Snapshot - 3/5 And Through The Wire - 3.5/5 Games Without Frontiers - 3/5 Not One Of Us - 3/5 Lead A Normal Life - 3/5 Biko - 3/5
Ether than coalplays
po pior que gostei bem diferentinho, no geral tava experimentando bem até onde dava pra ser comercial, como o amigo disse
ou, esse eh bem bacana até experimental na medida em que pode ser tocado numa rádio tranquilamente, mas ainda com uns elementos bem malucos. achei divertidim!!
I usually like albums tagged as art rock, but this one felt too much like the 80s in its sound design for me to really get into it. That said, I still think it's a good album.
Muy bueno e interesante
very artsy album with some great production. i havent listened to alot of peter gabriel the little amount of stuff i have heard sounds really good. really like the dark atmosphere here will listen again 8/10 Favourite: Intruder Least Favourite: Lead a Normal Life
This was his first solo album I heard not long after it was released I to me it’s still his best. The the songs, love the lyrics his singing and most of all the drumming!
This is probably the best Gabriel album on the list. Listened through a few times and just read the wiki, there's a version in German that I'm keen to hear. And, I think I like it better in German. It's probably just as well since I've been singing Games Without Frontiers incorrectly for the last 40+ years.
Good job, Peter. 4
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album
Ver good bery nice
This album was an overall good experience but without any standout tunes.
IDK. couldn't get a handle on it. it's fine. a little too weird but not in a fun way.
dang, i really enjoyed this one. it's dark and intriguing. it's definitely peter gabriel through and through, but certain tracks remind me of the rest of the 70s and 80s pioneers: the police, talking heads, phil collins (lol) (that drum fill on no self control is totally in the air tonight but change it so the teacher doesn't think you copied mine), even rick springfield (double lol) idk man it's good favorites: intruder, no self control, i don't remember, and through the wire, games without frontiers, lead a normal life
Good stuff
Good stuff man
Been a while since I heard a xylophone
Sophisticated
Really liked the instrumentation of this—unique but not extra. Also, the production history around this album is cool. Really liked the first two songs but skipped a few too many times throughout the rest to go higher than a 3
I’m honestly shocked how little i got from this, because in theory i should like this a lot and it’s got clear artistic merit and theming, idk maybe i’m off today and maybe next listen it’ll click, to be clear, i like it, i just thought i’d love it. My standout was I Don’t Remember (which is the name of the song), family snapshot and lead a normal life. Also i can totally hear trump in his vocals on And Through The Wire lmao
Strong.
Peter is the King Midas of rock to me – everything he touches turns to gold. The album that made the gated snare famous, the lineup of supporting cast is completely ridiculous - Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Paul Weller, Dave Gregory, Kate Bush, Jerry Marotta. 4.5 would be a more accurate rating as I don't think this album is perfect, but its flaws tip towards perfection more than failure. I don't think I've ever heard a Peter Gabriel track that I don't find something interesting in.
Not as interesting as Peter Gabriel 1 but a great listen nonetheless.
Innovative, a bit bizarre, very fun.
I liked what it was trying to do more than what it did.
Pretty cool and weird and experimental PG album
No 'Solsbury Hill': minus 2 stars.
y el Peter Gabriel 5?
This album was fine and ultimately very forgettable. It's cool to know that I restrained Phil Collins was drumming on this album. Aside from that: whatever!
Pretty good, not as nice as his debut but still listenable.
Most excellent
Album sounds the way the cover looks, so... points for that I guess? Otherwise, glad Pete took his musical sensibilities out of Genesis so I don't have to listen to weird shit like this while I try to enjoy Phil Collins.
A fun album with a pretty creative sound that maintains catchiness really well. It gets simpler towards the end, but other than that, a great album.
“I have this theory that artists given absolute freedom die a horrible death. When you tell them what they can’t do, they get creative and say ‘Oh yes I can’.” That’s the reasoning Peter Gabriel gave as to why he banned his drummers from using cymbals on this album. And it worked. The recording sessions for Melt were full of innovation and experimentation. Recording the drums through the reverse talkback feature of the console, building songs around repeating marimba patterns or rhythm first from drum machine loops, pioneering use of gated reverb… There are too many innovative methods to list, but what Gabriel and his producers brought into the studio resulted in some really interesting stuff. This is the second Peter Gabriel album that’s come up in the list for me, and it’s made it clear that I’m a fan. There’s a lot of overlap with other artists that I love. He shares the same creative process as Brian Eno for example. Robert Fripp and Kate Bush have both made contributions to his records too. He's right in that realm of music that I love. But it’s the blend of the weird and the experimental with grounded melodies that makes these songs so enjoyable. They’re as interesting as they are easy to listen to. Opening song “Intruder” is the best example of this, and my favourite song on the album. The way it builds from that pounding drum pattern, jangly chords and scraping noises into something theatrical, cinematic and seriously catchy, with those off-kilter piano and guitar stabs and the fragmented background choir... is frankly amazing. It’s an album that benefits from a creative process built on limitations. Or, as Peter Gabriel himself put it: “It's like being right-handed and having to learn to write with your left. It’s a great challenge, and musicians should do it more often.”
LFG!!!!!! best solo gabriel 4.5
This was decent, but I never got too fired up about it. It has that cold, twitchy art rock feel all over it, and I could respect what it was doing more than I really enjoyed sitting with it. The 80s is probably my least favorite decade when it comes to music, thrash metal aside. There’s enough here to call it decent, just not enough for me to rate it much higher than a 3. “Games Without Frontiers” was probably the best song on the album.
When am I going to learn... I always expect to hate his albums, but Peter Gabriel makes bangers. If he had any clue on how to name an album, then we'd really be cooking...
Liking Peter Gabriel's music wasn't something I was expecting to happen to me but I'm not complaining. I don't think I like it as much as so but it's still pretty damn good
Not one of us is the only standout on this album for me. I understand Games Without Frontiers and Biko's popularity but they're just not to my taste. The rest of the album comes across as needlessly atonal and too experimental to be really listenable for me.