Peter Gabriel 3

good but i expected to like it more.

Well it was much better than I thought it was going to be, which was a very very low bar. First couple of tracks I really liked and then it was a bit of a mixed bag. But is it sacrilegious to say that it sounded a lot like Bowie of the Berlin era? I doubt I’m ever going to love his work, but I’ve got some more respect now.

This Is one of those albums where I know I’m supposed to like it, but I just don’t. Kind of like most Jazz albums, I acknowledge its creativity, and the talent it took to make it. It’s just not for me.

I really expected more out of this album. It let me down. It was like ordering a T-bone steak and then it gets delivered to your table but it’s been cooked to well done. I’ll still eat it, but there is so much potential not met.

liked it. need to listen again

I think it could be a 4 on the right day but it’s a 3

Pretty good. I like Genesis (pre 1975 Genesis) way more, but this is a good innovative album with great drumming from old band mate Phil Collins and even The Jam's Paul Weller playing lead guitar on a song called **Through the Wire (**Gabriel is a big fan of The Jam) Games Without Frontier is a great song. ...none of the songs are bad a few just get a bit boring pretty quickly but what can you do?

Some interesting moments for sure. I’m not sure that overall I totally enjoyed it though. And Through the Wire was probably my favourite, followed by Biko. I think I will be checking out more of his work though. (3.5 stars)

3.75

Fine album with a good mix of the experimental and more poppy sounds. More accessible than Genesis.

Feels like Al Stewart - definitely a solid one

Intruder (5/10) No Self Control (6/10) Start (8/10) I Don’t Remember (8/10) Family Snapshot (7/10) And Through the Wire (7/10) Games Without Frontiers (10/10) Not One of Us (6/10) Lead a Normal Life (7/10) Biko (7/10)

Not bad but do we need all this Peter Gabriel? His voice goes back and forth between interesting and exhausting for me. And Through the Wire was the standout. High 3.

Some mayor bangers ngl

I've never been a big fan of Genesis or Peter Gabriel, but I enjoy some of their music and wouldn't turn it off if they came on the radio. There have been several albums on this list from them both and if I had to choose which one I could tolerate with multiple listening, it's probably Peter Gabriel 3. To not waste time and not go into further detail, the title suits the grade. Nuff said.

Excellent album, definitely setting the stage for stuff to come later. Games Without Frontiers is really really good, with Kate Bush providing backing vocals. 3.1 / 5 = 3.

More like a 3.5 but the sound especially in the first half is really cool.

Never really listened to Peter Gabriel as much as I should have, but every time I do I come away thinking he’s great. This album is sonically quite challenging in parts and I don’t think the 80s production does the songs many favours, but there’s definitely an interesting bunch of songs here.

Fantastic and adventurous

Paikoin Tarzanin tai Spiritin soundtrackia, paikoin vähän maanläheisempää, mistä ihan pidän.

Prog rock. Enjoyed it, a few good songs here. Enjoyed the spaciness of a few songs, especially second from last.

This is good, but didn't really grab me overall. I think I would go 3.5, but dropping as I don't know if I would pick up again.

3.5

Interesting. He definitely produces some cool ass noises, and innovates in that sense. Somehow, as has always been my unearned impression of him, having only heard bits of sledgehammer, the experiments come together kind of boring? Quite a feat! I do really like the african musical syncretism on biko.

This was ok, I don't have much else to say. It didn't grab me in any way, but wasn't repulsive. 3/5

I wish the whole album was the first 2 songs.

As much as I love Peter Gabriel, this one's pretty out there for me. I appreciate it even if I don't love it.

I think this is how you should evolve your sound without biting too deeply into whatever sonic trends are cool & current. Peter Gabriel leans into electronics and synths in a mostly understated, utilitarian way that hasn’t aged so terribly badly, unlike some of the 80’s experiments other artists took on. “Games Without Frontiers” is a good example of this - just a few synths and a drum machine, nothing overdone. This is really a great song, super great for Kate Bush to come on, she adds a lot to it (I also though this was an Eno collaboration with those guitars and that drum machine, but I was wrong). “Lead a Normal Life” is probably my pick from the album. I love the bell synth loop at the beginning (same with the bellish sounds in “No Self Control”). It’s super interesting, this bell sound has kinda been used into the 90’s and then repurposed to be used in some more modern IDM stuff (hate that genre moniker). Not his best work, but still a respectable listen with moments that’ll make this album at least slightly worth your time

It sounds (mixed & mastered) great, and half of the songs are excellent, but the remainder are totally blehhhh. This album honestly is fine, just a little too experimental for me. Peter Gabriel is a great vocalist but some of these songs REALLY lose me aka "Intruder" and "Biko." Actual rating...2.75 Liked Songs: "No Self Control" , "I Don't Remember" , "Family Snapshot" , "And Through The Wire" , "Not One Of Us"

liked songs: Intruder, Games Without Frontiers 3.5

A little dated but good

It's fine

“And Through the Wire” and “Games without Frontiers” are the top tracks. The rest is serviceable in this transition album by Peter Gabriel, which includes elements of world music, pop and new wave. Gabriel would further develop these elements and specialize in world pop music later. Interestingly, this album was also recorded in parallel in German. “And Through The Wire” sounds more badass in Deutsch; “Games without Frontiers” sounds weaker. 3.3 stars rounded down.

She is so popular

Not bad.

At some point in my journey through Peter Gabriel 3, one of us changed. Either he changed, and went from writing a pretty dreadful record to writing something that I never wanted to end, or I changed and went from someone with functioning ears and taste faculties to someone who loved the works of Peter Gabriel. Whatever, the second half of this is as good as the first is bad.

Kinda weird album but still enjoyable. 3/5

This album is post-Genesis and pre-Sledgehammer Peter Gabriel. Regarded more as a critical success than a commercial success, it is political at times. “Games Without Frontiers” is the one track which was popular on FM radio at the time. Occasionally I would pick up a similarity to the Talking Heads. Phil Collins and Kate Bush contributed. Overall good but not worth a high rating in my opinion.

This album cover really embodies my mental state these days. Like a goth precursor to 🫠 . It doesn't much match my perception of Peter Gabriel, who I know mainly from: the song 'Down to Earth' in the movie Wall-E, covering 'The Book of Love' in a sleepy way, and the romcom classic 'In Your Eyes'. This album starts off way more industrial and eclectic, which seems like a good thing, but I don't prefer it. Also, what's up with having 4 self-titled albums? Like you're trying to convey "I don't even care about album titles!" but of course everyone else bothers to use an album title, so what makes you so special, Peter Gabriel!? Things normalize a bit as the album goes on. He's got a unique voice, which I do like. I like the horns and the exact same drums on every track. Actually it's pretty good -- I started at a 2, but this is ultimately like a 3.5 for me. Highlights: 'Start', 'I Don't Remember' (relatable, also would make a good mashup with 'Hot Blooded'), 'Games Without Frontiers', 'Lead a Normal Life' (pleasant electro bits)

Ya know, I've never listened to a Peter Gabriel album straight through before, but this is exactly what I would have imagined. Some good, some bad, one banger (Games without Frontiers). Put this sucker on at a party or while partaking and you'd be golden, just solid.

Never really connected with Peter Gabriel and on this album I think something about his singing is it grates on me (similar to Dave Matthews). This clicked during “Lead a Normal Life” which I thought was great until the singing kicked in. Overall a decent listen but not one I’d return to.

3.0

This album is so dull that I may need to recalibrate future ratings. Competent, but dull, dull, dull!

Fine--not his best.

I got 2 Peter Gabriel albums this week. Kinda getting sick of it by now. I guess this is ok. Just not my cup of tea. I preferred the "Car" album better.

This is the third Peter Gabriel album that I got from this list. At this point, I know that his music is not meant for me. This is an 80's pop album, and you can really tell, specially beacuse of the sound of the drums. If you like this movement, then this is a great album thanks to the nice production and the experimentation. But for me, I didn't get any type of reward. At least it wasn't boring.

Beside one very good song very average. Good albums are Us and So.

It got much better once I realized it wasn't necessarily supposed to be in German. Really talented song writer.

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Intruder was a strong start but not necessarily in my wheelhouse. As the album progressed there are some lovely production techniques and the songwriting is good. Not sure I'll revisit but who knows

This album definitely shows a transition from the much proggier Genesis stuff and also from Car, and starts to sound more like So. A good album, Games Without Frontiers is a great tune, and the whole thing hangs together well.

Pretty mediocre, if a little (only a little) ahead of its time -- this sounds a little more like a late-1980s album. "Biko" is a highlight at the end.

Forward-thinking, proggy rock-ish music. Ambitious, mercurial, and full of texture. Maybe a little obtuse, but I'll still revisit.

I don't think I'd ever heard anything on this album. I'm more inclined to the Sledgehammer Peter Gabriel of my youth but this was pretty good.

Mr. G still being Mr. G. Weird and ethereal.

Not bad but SO was immediately more interesting

This was another one of those albums that was good and I like Peter Gabriel quite a bit but it was mostly just a filler album, nothing too crazy or memorable but decent!

i liked the first half more than the latter but it was still good, 3.5

Started strong but dropped off a bit.

Three consecutive self-titled albums? Really, Peter Gabriel? Anyway, just like the other album by his I rated, it's solid British Rock music. Nothing too special, but not bad either. Favorite Song: "Biko"

The Invention of Art-Pop: a play in one act. Artist: I don’t feel like going to all the trouble of making a good record. That’s too much work! Producer: It’s cool baby. Just make an okay record but make it a little weird and pretentious. It won’t sell as well as a good record, but the kids who want to think that they’re smart will buy it, so the sales will be decent. Artist: Hooray! *grabs bongo drums and/or didgeridoo* Scene.

“Intruder” intro is very off putting, leaves you on edge the whole song, very interesting song to lead off an album. “No self control” has very dark tones, but mixed with a xylophone is very interesting. The percussion is engaging. “Start” switches the vibes swiftly with is a welcome change as it’s much smoother on the ears. “I don’t remember” is a bit more upbeat than the first few songs, but retains a few of the strange background noises. The chorus is catchy. “Family snapshot” is a much slower and more emotional song, very different from the songs preceding it, his voice is smoother here. It picks up and is a very enjoyable song. “And through the wire” has a good electric guitar and feels like a proper rock song, also cowbell. I like the backing singers in “games without frontiers”. “Not one of us” is very catchy and the chorus is solid, percussion during the bridge goes hard.

I liked it there were a few songs that i listened to twice!

I'm coming to realize that I don't care much for Peter Gabriel unless his voice is washed out by a wall of prog rock sound behind him.

Other than Games Without Frontiers, I didn't much care for this. I suppose at least it mostly held my interest.

Alright album, nothing terrible but nothing overly memorable either. I enjoyed it but am unlikely to revisit it.

This was better and more interesting than I’d expected given, ya know, sledgehammer. An interesting piece of rock history.

I’m still not a Peter Gabriel fan but this was okay. No Self Control sounded like a Nokia Ringtone in the background lol

Cool.

intruder- up to devious activities. 7 no self control- 6 start- 5 i don't remember- so true. 7 or 8 family snap shot- 5 and through the wire- 5 or 6 games without frontiers- 4 or 5 not one of us- they not like us. 5 lead a normal life- 5 biko- 4

Solo por Biko ya merece la pena, pero sumando No self control y I don't remember ya se pone interesante. Hay que escucharlo.

Better than Melt. Early PG will do....

Also nostalgic, games without frontiers is an enjoyable listen

Two Peter Gabriel albums in 5 days has given me more time to think about Peter Gabriel than I ever thought I would have. I will redact my statement from 5 days ago about appreciating Peter Gabriel. I appreciate two of his songs, the rest is more 80s nonsense.

xylophone!

This album seemed to be a great example of PG transitions from Prog to a more pop sound. Surprised by the solidness. 3/5

Cool 😎😎 Ich bin ein großer Fan 🪭 von den dubious Glockenspiel und Xylophon

Liked

I guess I just love the hits

Wanted to like it but mostly meh for me. 3.1

A fine album. Some unique sounds/instruments but nothing that blows you away. Nothing you want to skip either though. 5.75/10 (2.875/5)

3.5/5

Each song sounds very different and the whole album seems fresh even after 40 years. Favorite track: Games without frontiers other picks: i don't remember, intruder, family snapshot

I really wanted to like this more than I did. But please make sure “Lead a Normal Life” is the music for the closing credits of my eventual biopic.

Had never listened to this all the way through, some interesting parts but didn't grab me. Should give it another chance though

some cool production

This didn’t do too much for me. I liked “So” better. 3/5 Highlights: Biko

Quite the journey this album takes you on. Wild soundscapes throughout. Lots of weird noises and interesting compositions. I enjoyed listening to it a lot, but I’m not sure if I necessarily love it. This is one of those albums I wish I could revisit and potentially change my rating, but for now it’s a solid 3.

I wasn't sure what to make of this and I gave it a couple of listens. I think it's not really for me. I like the prog / interesting elements. And it's got lots of cool musicians on it like Robert Fripp, Tony Levin and Kate Bush. I found it interesting reading on Wikipedia about how Peter Gabriel "banned cymbals" and they game up with the "gated room sound". But, and this is something I say often about albums I don't take to, I don't like his voice, unfortunately. And also, I know it's all meant to be prog and exciting, but I get this horrible 80s / Robert Palmer / Phil Collins vibe that just gives me the ick. Sorry. I like some of the marimba though.

Not sure what I feel about this one…

It was ok

The things I could tell you about Peter. Would really change the perception of Sledgehammer if you knew what it was really about. But Houmous & Chutney aren’t here to out people like that. We believe in Karma! Time will tell! 3.1

This wasn't my thing it started so weird, picked up a bit then just found myself getting distracted

A way more experimental than "So." I wish I would've given So five stars. Sorry terrible review. I like "lead a normal life, intruder, i don't remember and family snapshot.

More interesting than I thought it would be

80s Post-punk, new wave, art rock. Certainly creative. He found his sound. The more straightforward songs are great, but some are a bit too weird.

This was pretty good! I grew up listening to Peter Gabriel but I only recognized one of the songs on this album which made it interesting. I liked the easy listening elements mixed in with more of the experimental and dark elements.

Ok. Favourite tracks are Biko and Games Without Frontiers 3/5

80’s

the drums do go hard as hell. i found myself bopping along to quite a bit of this so i can’t say i hated it. maybe peter gabriel was never truly bad, he was just a victim of 1980s production conventions… fav tracks: lead a normal life

This was fine. I didn’t mind having it on but probably wouldn’t reach for it. I liked it better than the other Peter Gabriel album we had so far because it was less corny and didn’t have that shmaltzy 80s gloss over it.

I've heard this is considered the father of the 80s sound with those gated snares, and I can respect that. There's also more tracks I'm willing to return to than Car, so I'd consider this a step up for Mr. Gabriel. I still prefer his Genesis stuff I think, but this is still great.

Not my favorite PG album. I think he is discovering what ultimately makes him dominate the 80s. But it’s not quite there yet. 2.5

3 - Didn't feel much, kinda wanted it to be less experimental

2.7 1x catch up on 10/28

Peter Gabriel's work never really worked for me, and this is no exception. Three stars, just about.

Quite experimental with the gated reverb and all. Well, there are several nice moments, e.g. Games without frontiers, but overall it's not enough.

A bridge between his more exploratory early work and more commercial success in the early MTV era. Inconsistent but compelling.

Seemed a little patchy and inconsistent, but overall I enjoyed it.

3 - I'm excited to relisten to this one in the future. It feels like an album that will benefit from a second go. I did quite like some of the songs, though I think there was a bit of a lull somewhere in the album. But yeah, it's good.

Its ok pop rock. Peter Gabriel was better in Genesis.

I thought this was okay

Tää oli aika poppista verrattuna progeaikoihin. Kyllä tää silti mulle toimi! 3/5

Vähän epätasainen, mut riittävän kiinnostava kolmoseen, kuten levyn nimen perusteella sopiikin.

Yeah it was alright

Not as good as Peter Gabriel 1, which is also on this list. Some interesting and mildly progressive sounds here, particularly with drumming and synths, but anticipating 80s as a musical decade isn't exactly something to boast about unless you're seriously ahead of your time. Biko is the star track here primarily because its sound strays away from that of earlier songs into something intense, exciting, and (probably) revolutionary. 3/5 Key tracks: Biko, Games Without Frontiers, Intruders

I respect Gabriel’s penchant for experimentation and unconventional leanings, while still maintains a few moments of accessibility (only when he really wants to). This is a dark sounding and diverse record, which seems to pull influences from many places but is completely its own thing. It lives in its own space. It’s unsettling at many times, creepy, unpleasant, but also can be captivating.. Though the songs were interesting, I didn’t really love or even like all of them. Cool ideas and execution, but it only partially lands for me. Peter Gabriel seems cooler and weirder than I ever knew and makes really interesting music, but it’s also music that I don’t strongly connect with immediately but could with time.

I've always enjoyed Peter Gabriel's voice and sound so I was excited to delve into this earlier album and I was not disappointed. It's got a good mix of diverse sounds that mostly work. Nothing spectacular, but a pretty good album overall. I expect PG will show up again on this list and I will be glad to give any of his other albums a listen. 3.06 stars

I really dug So and was excited to listen to this one. It was not nearly as good. It’s an okay album but not one I’d return to anytime soon.

TIL Games Without Frontiers starts with the repeating line, “Jeux Sans Frontieres” and not “She’s So Popular”. So that’s cool.

I know this artist. I know some of his songs. Do not know if they are off this album. Haven't heard any of these tracks so far. It's cool.

Ok

Years and years ago, on a whim. I bought this and the one where, on the cover, he’s sitting in a car. LPs. (This was in the tape/CD transition era, long before we began to call them ‘Vinyl’. I didn’t own a record player. Anyway, always been a bit odd to me that I have repeatedly listened to all of Gabriel’s post Sledgehammer albums, and and very familiar with a small selection of his earlier work through 16 Golden Greats, (or is it 12?), but never gone to explore his earlier work. That’s the thing about subscription streaming. Everything is available, but we (I) don’t do enough to explore my curiosity. Just graze through what is brought to my attention in an apathetic haze of instant gratification. Infinite Jest is real and we are living it out, maybe? Anyway. I like this. I don’t have any real reference for it, other than Steve Lilywhite’s past and future work.

+3

Awesome

Peter Gabriel rassemble ce qu'il aime (synthétiseurs, rythmes et chants africains) et produit des albums idiosyncratiques portés par sa voix particulières. Ici, il est moins accessible que sur So, mais sur la voie.

best

Peter Gabriel was released from Genesis because of this erratic behaviors and avante guard musical leanings. This first four solo albums were an example of what happens when you let his artistry go unchecked. It wasn’t a bad album but I’m not sure how much I liked it. Games Without Frontiers is a 1980s staple. Songs like Biko can definitely hear the Lilywhite production so familiar from U2 around the same time. Not One of Us was a pretty good song that seemed very Bowie. If do find it ironic that Phil Collin’s was accused of being “too commercial” as the singer of Genesis after Gabriel but when you hold the B-Sides of this album and PG’s So… side by side with Genesis Invisible Touch, they would trade songs across albums without effecting the album integrity of either. Rock rivalries are dumb (….but admittedly fun).

I could see this one might grow on me but this is a solidly meh album with one killer track, "Games Without Frontiers". Hopefully you learned that it is French lyrics and not "She's so popular". But that does kinda sounds cool too if you hear it that way instead.

Games is a pretty good song, but the rest of the album is kind of meh.

I do like Peter Gabriel a lot, and I liked this one a lot. But not as much as like So or some others. Good stuff though.

Nah. I didn’t need to hear this one before I die. I mean, it’s fine, but I wouldn’t be like “Awwww, man!” when, in the afterlife, I listen to every album I’ve never heard.

This list has produced a lot of strange albums that sound bad, but this is the first album I've heard that sounds good.

Only like his singles, all the other his ar i don't dig at all, including this album

Onko hän todella viisas? En tiedä miksi, mutta olen onneton kaikessa Paulie America Jonah. Ja Gabriel, sinulla oli kaksi hyvää albumia ennen sitä? nimi? A Lin O:n rantoja kutsutaan hyväksi, tuoreeksi tai premium-kastikkeeksi. Simanescu: Julkaisin juuri albumin, albumi, jonka halusin, oli poliisi kaikessa, menin lippujen kanssa. He rakastavat minua. Vaatii Maundyn. TOISTAKAA. Onko hän todella viisas? En tiedä miksi, mutta olen onneton kaikessa Paulie America Jonah. Ja Gabriel, sinulla oli kaksi hyvää albumia ennen sitä? nimi? A Lin O:n rantoja kutsutaan hyväksi, tuoreeksi tai premium-kastikkeeksi. Simanescu: Julkaisin juuri albumin, albumi, jonka halusin, oli poliisi kaikessa, menin lippujen kanssa. He rakastavat minua. Vaatii Maundyn. no self control

That's not my taste in musik. But ok.

I remembered I Don’t Remember after not hearing for over 40 years, which was ironic. Loved Games Without Frontiers, Biko and Intruder, but could take or leave the rest. Good to hear the whole thing for the first time, though.

Dit album zit halverwege Gabriel's prog rock roots en zijn bestemming als art pop connaisseur. En waar een vergelijking met artsy collega Kate Bush nooit ver weg is, was zij ook tijdens dit album mijn referentiekader. Conclusie is dat haar werk mij vaak wat meer prikkelt dan de algehele tendens op deze plaat. Waar Peter Gabriel iets meer het prog-rockerige (mijn nemesis) loslaat, en wat meer new wave/synth sounds omarmt, merk ik dat de muziek me beter ligt. Het openingsnummer is moody art pop, met goth tinten, en zet een sfeer neer die eigenlijk op het rest van het album absent is. Pas op de tweede helft van het album weet hij weer m'n aandacht terug te pakken met de effectie powerpop van 'And Through The Wire' en het speelse 'Games Without Frontiers'. Het laatste statement wordt gemaakt met 'Biko', wat de luisteraar toch enigszins met een opgeheven hoofd laat vertrekken. Het is best aardig, maar zoals dat vaak gaat met experimentele pop-albums is het een plaat die van hot naar her gaat. Hits and misses. 6,5/10 Highlights: Intruder And Through The Wire Games Without Frontiers

Interesting sound. Prog rock like

Sounded very fresh, was surprised it was 44 years old.

Peter Gabriel's third solo album, is a groundbreaking work that pushes the boundaries of art rock and explores darker, more experimental themes. The album is marked by its innovative use of production techniques, particularly the absence of cymbals in the drumming, which creates a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Songs like Intruder and No Self Control delve into psychological unrest and paranoia, with Gabriel's haunting vocals adding to the intensity. Games Without Frontiers offers a sharp critique of global politics, blending catchy melodies with unsettling undertones. The album's centerpiece, Biko, is a powerful anti-apartheid anthem that combines personal grief with a universal call for justice. Gabriel's willingness to embrace unconventional sounds and complex subjects makes Melt a daring and influential album. Its fusion of world music influences, electronic experimentation, and introspective lyrics sets it apart as one of Gabriel's most significant works. Melt is a bold statement of artistic intent, cementing Gabriel's reputation as a visionary in the world of music. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 3 STAND OUT TRACK - Biko

Peter Gabriel’s third solo album opens with the fantastically out-there opener, “Intruder”, which is a song that unfortunately promises a lot that isn’t quite met. I think overall this album is better than Gabriel’s subsequent self-titled release, but at least that album found itself fully committing to the experimental sound that this song (as well as several others on here) went for. If there wasn’t so much basic ‘80s rock dispersed between the more original songs, this thing would be a whole lot better. As it stands tho, it’s good

Doesn't really feel essential imo. You notice some more world-music esque production and percussion on here, especially on the final track. I like it but it's not overly memorable.

Interesting how he made an English and a German version of the album. Personally I liked the German one better. 3 dictionaries out of 5 Interessant, dass er eine englische und eine deutsche Version des Albums gemacht hat. Mir persönlich hat die deutsche besser gefallen. 3 Wörterbücher von 5

Pretty good

It was fine, probably not one I’d revisit though.

A 3 for 3. Meh

One for the hardcore pg heads.

it was good, i had heard games without frontiers and that's a catchy tune! bike was great and i had forgotten about intruder - that primus cover that i heard when i was in junior high is dope!

I think I always thought what a weird dude but his voice is different…weird I hear I ozzy ozzbourne in his voice in this album. Listening to this I’m not sure I would have become a fan without hearing his hits. I think it still feels like what a weird dude. Not my favorite album but really like it at the same time.

Not a bad album. Just not particularly exciting

Middle of the road prog

I melted into my chair on this one. Sets a mood effectively that brought me to a smoke filled room with coke dusted on every surface

Decent PG.

Really like a couple of these tracks, really dislike a few.

Good album. Enjoyed it.

Ok - it's very 80s and like industrial? It was - something? Sounded experimental and weird and at first I was not very interested. There were some good tunes and a lot of interesting moments on the album. Definately some prog rock moments, a lot of new wave, etc... What was most interesting what when I realized this came out in 1980. Same year as London Calling. This must have sounded absolutely weird as hell to people in 1980. The drum sounds, the gated reverb, the synths - I first assumed this was like late 80s. Clearly this was very influential in taking a lot of weird german music and infusing it with pop sensibilities, song structures, and lyrics. Like - all the elements that defined 80s and new wave are on this album - just presented in a weird but well executed way. So - it was cool - I probably won't listen to it again, and it wasn't breathtaking on a first listen, but it was good and succeeded at what it was trying to do - I think. Solid 3 stars for me, and cool to read about.

I knew the popular track: Games Without Frontiers. I didn't know anything else. I like Gabriel's voice and some of the instrumentation, but none of the other tracks really hooked me.

Interesting at times, but rarely great. When will saxophone solos come back into fashion? 2026?

A lot of really cool beats and styles. I'm a fan.

It was quite enjoyable - I had never heard much from Peter Gabriel outside his biggest hits. He’s very playful and takes us around the world

Peter Gabriel - 3. I've nearly really been into his work, and this album did not speak to me, with the exception of Games without frontiers. However he has carved out a unique style and it does have it's merits 3/5 #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie 00

This album cover is great. Peter Gabriel is one of those dudes I know nothing about despite knowing how important and influential he is. I only knew Games Without Frontiers and I Don’t Remember. This sure is Peter Gabriel. I don’t know what it is, I know this is good and he’s talented but it just never resonates with me. Maybe it’s too low tempo? I dunno.

Another cool Gabriel album! Hadn't heard it before, but through Dad I have heard Games Without Frontiers quite a bit. The funny piece is that I had no idea Kate Bush is the female voice on that song or that she is speaking French (I think). Back then lyrics didn't come up on your screen so easily. Reading through how he made this album really enhanced listening to it, though it didn't give me any more songs beyond GWF. I did like Bilko but this album felt more like an experiment which I give him credit for (and Phil on the drums!)

too intellectual for me actually

frekar gott bara. fær aðra yfirferð. 3,5.

I thought this was going to be Peter Gabriel does Brian who at first but it turned out to be Peter Gabriel doing David Bowie which was generally bland to me. Not much to get excited about with this one. More like Peter Gabriel 3/5

Tering wat random en experimenteel. Hij kan wel erg goed zingen natuurlijk. Fun fact: dit is een van de eerste albums die hét jaren 80 snare drum geluid gebruikt https://youtu.be/Bxz6jShW-3E?si=W-CTCWxeN852fgJ-

peter gabriel altijd leuk, alleen deed dit album me niet heel veel, maar wel goed

Wel prima Niet super bijzonder

To my ears this sounds a bit dated and is an album I'm not quite sure which mood to be in to best appreciate it. It's fine, and I may seek it out again one day, but certainly not for a while.

Surprisingly good

This is more interesting than I would have e expected a Peter Gabriel record to be. Quite experimental and a bit industrial sounding in places, which was a surprise. I quite liked it. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Games Without Frontiers Date listened: 21/06/24

So serious. Each song seems to have a serious message or story. He is interesting and talented and sometimes nails it with an all timer like Games Without Frontiers.

I'm not the biggest fan, but there are some outstanding tracks on this album.

I appreciate this without really getting into it. It almost feels like the tempo of these songs are too slow for my constitution. Apparently in grocery stores they pick songs with a certain BPM that aligns with buying stuff. If this was playing in my own personal grocery store, I would have an empty cart. Constitutionally this has a low ceiling for me, but I wouldn't be surprised if a great many people are super into this.

Meh, maybe it was influential I don't know

I’m in the middle of this but it’s pretty good. I’ve always like Peter Gabriel but have never listened to this

I have absolutely no idea about this record and I can’t say I know anything about his stuff before sledgehammer! But here we go. This starts out cool with some soft industrial sounds but then it kinda bored me. Typical 80’s proggy stuff, I did like the first few tracks. I listened to the remastered version but it feels a bit sparse at times, like unintentionally sparse? Not a lot of low end but maybe that’s just my speakers. Anyway I definitely liked this but other than Games Without Frontiers it was all new to me.

It's okay, apart from that very Bruce Springsteen-y track I'm not that impressed

Favourite songs: I Don't Remember, Not One of Us, And Through the Wire, No Self Control Least favourite songs: Lead a Normal Life 3/5

Fine but didn’t really grab my attention. I would like to like Peter Gabriel but I haven’t heard anything that sways me either way yet.

Two absolutely stonking songs!! I remember when Games Without Frontiers came out - I just thought it was fantastic and could listen to it over and over. Biko too was great and political and moving. Sometimes though PG can be a bit dull and self-righteous and all the other songs in this album just felt wearyingly dour!!! Should be a 2.5 but I’m giving him credit for consistently being true to his worthiness!!! I prefer So as an album (a few years later) where he mined a lighter seam.

This is an album I feel like I should like more, but I find it hard to warm up to. Gabriel is meticulous, and he checks lots of boxes for music I like — intelligent, well-produced, a bit off the line of the mainstream, great vocals — and still, I don't feel it. It's all too serious. I gravitate more to his "poppier" side, which flies in the face of what I just wrote, but there it is. This album falls flat for me, and I've listened to it a few times by now.

Ég veit ekki hvað það en Peter Gabriel er alveg fínn tónlistarmaður með fínustu lög en þau eru samt voðalega auðgleymanleg. Eini möguleikinn fyrir mig til að setja þetta á er ef ég kemst í Genesis-stuð en þá set ég bara Genesis á frekar en hann þannig að þessi hverfur í meðalmennskuna.

In my opinion there are better PG albums but it was still good and I’d listen again. I enjoy his music and the Phil Collins drumming too.

Love a bit of PG, this is a cracking solo album with a post punk edge

Almost a 4

Nice

Meh, wasn't really into this. Lots of art-y innovation but wasn't my taste. Standout is "I Don't Remember".

Liked it ok, but as much as I thought I would

Eksperimenterende rockalbum, god sangskrivning

I dug Gabriel for a bit, but owning a collection (best of) seems a good choice for me. I am both impressed by, and bored by the synth. But I cannot hear someone say, "I don't remember... " without my mind filling in with, "...I don't recall. I've got no memory, of anything at all. " So that has comfortably nestled into my Grey matter.

I quite liked Through The Wire and Biko, but not enough for a 4

Slow start, but thought it really got going in the second half. Not got the PG hits that I know and like, Sledgehammer, Solsbury Hill etc, but still enjoyable. Just shy of a four though. Simpsons: Yes

Some good music in this album. Still not sure if this one will get a third listen, but Gabriel’s comps are pretty good. 3/5!

I keep trying, but 80s production can ruin otherwise good albums. There were a few nice tracks towards the end though

Meh 2.5*

Interesting enough. Found the first half better than the second for the most part. Thought it was at its worst when it was overtly political or sentimental (we get it on Family Snapshot, you miss your Dad). Sonically sometimes the “experimental” stuff worked for me and other times is was too sparse or disjointed. 2.7

3.3

I like Peter Gabriel's voice and there's some decent songwriting here but I found the album a little bland.

Peter Gabriel's third solo album, often referred to as "Melt" due to its iconic cover, showcases the artist's experimental and innovative approach to music. Released in 1980, this album features a blend of art rock, world music, and electronic elements that set it apart from his previous work. Tracks like "Games Without Frontiers" and "Biko" stand out for their unique sound and lyrical depth, addressing themes of political unrest and human rights. Gabriel's use of percussion and synthesizers creates a rich sonic landscape that is both captivating and thought-provoking. While "Peter Gabriel 3" is praised for its ambition and creativity, some listeners may find it challenging to connect with. Its avant-garde nature and unconventional song structures may alienate those looking for more accessible music. Overall, "Peter Gabriel 3" is a bold and adventurous album that showcases Gabriel's musical vision but may not appeal to all listeners, earning it a rating of 3 out of 5.

Definitely an interesting album, I just don't really fall in love with Peter Gabriel albums in general. A few excellent tracks. Games w/o Frontiers, I Don't Remember, Biko.

Solid work from Gabriel here.

Had high hopes based on familiarity with Games with frontiers, but found the album boring actually

Best Song: Not One Of Us. Carried by a catchy chorus and one hell of a bassline. Worst Song: Games Without Frontiers. Really feels like Pete is going for what he feels like is a deep metaphor here, but it's not really landing. Overall: Sounds very dated and self-indulgent, but also doesn't feel good enough to warrant that grandiosity. Weird in a safe and ultimately boring way.

This album is sonically interesting with a unique identity and very direct approach. The first track establishes a departure from a lot of the generic rock sensibilities of the time with unique noises. There hair-raising aspect to some of the sounds included along this album. "I don't remember" and "Through the Wire" are catchy and well crafted songs that feel just right for the period. Songs like "Games without Frontiers" and "Biko" have a unique sound that I really enjoyed. These songs feel foreign while also sticking in your head. I would love to be whistling tunes and kissing baboons in the jungle. I think the genesis/ Phil Collins style doesn't help or hurt the album it just feels a bit weird. This style of drumming without Collins voice feels imbalanced to me. Perfectly fine to listen to but it didn't blow me away.

Musically the album encapsulates a particular 80’s sound but that’s probably because Genesis came up with it earlier, and both are ahead of their time considering this came out in 1980. The drumming especially has a great tone, which is intentional if you read up on it. Not playing cymbals and still getting a full rock sound is not something I’ve considered before and it really sounds great. The synths and other electronic elements can be a bit much at times but that is part of the sound. “Games without frontiers” is a good example of leaning too heavily in to it for my tastes. On the other hand, it’s perfect for “Lead a norma life”. “I Don’t Remember” is great and Gabriel’s voice really makes it sound like he’s losing it, like he did in so many Genesis songs. “Family Portrait” is another good one about a pitiable guy who is plotting killing someone but ultimately it’s a cry for help or, explicitly at the end, attention. This is a good album of its time with some standout songs but it just makes me want to listen to Genesis in the end.

This guy really fucks with the marimba. It wasn’t bad but I don’t think I’ll ever listen to it again on purpose

Some good songs. Probably unpopular opinion, but not as good as PG4

- not off to a great start. not sure these are my kinds of sounds… but they could be - nvm. this is interesting.. would be good studio music. it’s noise music but it’s not too abrasive. and i like his singing voice. like leonard cohen’s voice if it was a little softer and a little creepier - there’s some sax and it’s almost 1975 ish in Start. (don’t judge me) - i dont remember is talking heads ish. i like - family snapshot c’est plutot sad 80s ballad - i like it. good studio music, could be good reading music. sonically interesting, made my ears go ‘?’ at points wondering what could be making those sounsd. 3.5/5 i think.

I think I like Peter Gabriel (I'm sure he likes you too Eli).

Honestly not a great album for me. From the very first track I knew I wasn't going to be the right audience for this one. I was right

this guy again - thankfully much better than last time i don't remember family snapshot and through the wire

It's funny to hear this now, 44 years later, because I'm sure when this came out it was a STATEMENT. The first glance at the album cover of his melted face and then all of the weird avant garde-ness in the first track must have had people thinking "wow!". But these days, having some atonal idiophones on top of some slamming tom drum beats is as normal as two guitars playing C chords together. Something I really like about Peter Gabriel's music is that he isn't afraid to do weird things or to take a song and flip a switch right in the middle. In track 2 for example, you get this Steve Reich-esque meditative part for a minute and a half, and then everything does a complete 180 turn and gets exciting. I enjoyed this. I liked how it got a little weird at times, but I also am interested in how a lot of these came about, and if it was such a concerted effort to avoid normalcy. Like the more listened-to tracks don't really have strong melodies, which I find to be very odd for this list. Usually, the catchy songs get all the listens, but maybe that's because this album doesn't really have a lot of traditional aspects, including melody. I did like the hook "She's so popular" on "Games without Frontiers". It's probably not an album that I will seek out but if I see it in the wild I'll probably say "oh yea I've heard record! Pretty interesting."

Awesome. Thanks. Last two songs are 🍑

Ok

Pretty good album!

I'm sure this album was groundbreaking 44 years ago, but now...

Inte lika stark som förra PG. Men helt ok.

Riktigt stabil platta men tycker inte den når samma toppar som ”So”. Stark trea.

good but not catchy or great. Games Without Frontiers was a legit radio hit (ish) that I remember from my childhood... but it's not a 'banger' per se haha. A good release from the 'Art Garfunkel' of the Genesis Phil+Peter combo. Def feels like a 'finding his voice' record as the blurb suggests.

More of the annoying self-indulgent British \"experimental\" pop that plagues this list, although this one is a lot more tolerable than most.

Every song sounded somewhat good but somewhat ok. Like I enjoyed the vocals on his other album, but they didn't hit the same on this one for some reason. Nothing unpleasant but nothing I really liked.

5/10 - I feel like my emotions on the peter gabriel albums (other than so) are all the same. They are just ok. Like there are some songs that are better than others but they are just all mid.

Decent, not a huge peter gabriel fan but it was somewhat interesting

I feel the exact same way about Peter Gabriel as I did after listening to his other two albums. I can see the appeal, but this is not for me. Don’t think this one’s as good as So, but it’s definitely better than the other one. Giving it a lower score than both because I’m tired of getting Peter Gabriel albums 5/10

Interesting, a little wierd, but that's what I would expect from Peter Gabriel. I've never previously heard anything off this album. It was quite experimental sounding. It wasn't bad, I felt like the song "Games without frontiers" could be released today. Biko was an interesting tribute song as well.

Mostly enjoyable. Really liked Down the Dolce Vita

peter gabriels stimme ist schon sehr speziell. alles in allem interessante songs, aber nicht uneingeschränkt meins.

Pretty interesting album. Standout songs: No Self Control Family Snapshot And Through the Wire

Not my thing. Just boring. As I said in my other review of Peter Gabriel, white people discovering world music. Not very interesting. Better than his other album, but that's not saying much.

N lembro mais

Progressive pop. Rollo.

Kool

It is Peter Gabriel lots of electronic

This was a weird one. Part of it was really progressive and cool and then sometimes it just collapsed in 80s rock nonsense.

You can blow out a candle But you can’t put out the fire Once the flame spreads, the winds will take it higher

Poorly recorded. Decent album.

not even close to as good as So but not really bad

Meh

I felt a lot of things listening to this album but the one constant was anxiety. The first track feels like you’re in a horror movie on LSD. From that point on I really thought I was going to hate this album but it really started to grow on me. There was such a ride range of instrumentation and I can really respect that he was making this album for nobody other than himself. I can’t walk away saying I liked this album but I do respect it.

I did not like this very much, it sounded very machine-y often. Stand-out: And Through The Wire

I mean....it's fine. Just sounds like your stereotypical "experimental" 80s music that happened to get popular. Not bad, not great.

Didn't hate most of this. Nothing stood out as something I need to listen to before I die. He sounded like Phil Collins if he was less talented.

Listened through twice. I liked the array of songs. The menace and unease of Intruder and No Self Control. My life feels like I Don't Remember and I'm surprised no one has made a meme or reel out of it. Good album.

This album was a bit unnerving, suspenseful and at times angry sounding - I didn't mind it at all.

Har aldri skjønt meg heilt på 'n Gabriels. Pluss for at han ga ut ein tysk versjon av albumet

Okay

🫠🫠🫠

Ну петя архангел че сказать, хорош. чуть больше начал понимать в сравнении с So

Enjoyed the album felt short

I liked this album. It was weird and a little dark. Fascinating to hear a record where they avoided using cymbals of any kind. A very rhythmic record is the result, with plenty of brooding as well as rocking. Looking forward to more Peter Gabriel in the future.

This feels like something more influential than something I’d want to sit down and listen to anymore

Probably better than my rating, but it wasn’t for me.

No strong opinion

Good, solid, album and worthy of inclusion on the list.

Didn’t think I’d like this one, but I ended up vibing to it.

I remember a few of these songs from when they were on the radio in the 80s. I liked them then, and I like this album now. He's a very creative and interesting musical artist to my ear, and even though this is a 1980 album it still holds up well.

Good

Used to listen to Peter Gabriel a lot with my Dad. Not this album though. Preferred the earlier stuff

This is what I imagine all English music to sound like

High concepts but ultimately a naff recor. While Peter Gabriel does not irk me normally, and it’s not terrible - it’s rather self indulgent in the belief that whoever is listening is fully bought in what Peter Gabriel is warbling about.

I feel like Peter Gabriel has had a similar career as Lou Reed just 5 years later: both came from relatively experimental rock bands that pushed the boundaries of what pop rock could be, and then continued that blend of experimental and traditional pop/rock in their solo careers. I definitely prefer Reed for the most part, but this is one of Gabriel’s best albums and probably the best example of what his portfolio of music is like. “I Don’t Remember” is my favorite track, followed closely by “Biko”.

Interesting. Glad I heard it

This was a pretty good listen, without being overly outstanding. I definitely feel the second half was stronger than the opening. I'm unlikely to rush out to put this on again, but would certainly not mind it being put in my rotation.

Prog Rock with Synth Elements. Very Eclectic.

This was fine.

3.5 Genio de la música

This is not my favorite Peter Gabriel album but there are a couple of good songs on there.

There are albums I like better

A somewhat darker version of Genesis coming through on this Gabriel solo LP. Starts off a bit murky and uncertain, but once it returns to the usual soundscape of his former band the ideas take on a more realized form that's pretty enjoyable.

I have a heard a handful of songs on this album but never the whole thing.

I prefer prog-rock Peter Gabriel with Genesis, but this was ok.

I’ve never heard this album. You can tell he was just getting into his groove. I’ll revisit.

Good

Started off a bit weird, but mellowed out quickly, interesting choice not to have cymbals but it's different.

Wow Pete out here getting weird with it. Its not mega pop hits right to the face so it's goes to some weird places. Post punk art rock anti war songs just don't land for me.

Love Peter Gabriel.

Pop progresivo. Ni fu ni fa.

Beautiful soaring melodies with Phil's drums lurking in then background. A little same-y across the whole album.

Nice, dense and interesting. Will revisit.

One of the greatest male pop vocalists of all time. The production and comp was a little too quirky and experimental for my taste but I still liked it due to a couple of gems and Gabriel’s always great delivery.

VERY EXPERIMENTLAL, WOW.

This is fine... Flashes of interesting bits. 3 for effort, but I probably won't revisit it.

Quite a few of these songs were a single phrase repeated over and over. A lot of innovation as far as the music goes, but the lyrics were mostly a let down.

This got better as it went along. Very Peter Gabriel.

Well produced. Lots to say. Just a tad dull for me.

A lot wielder than where I came in on Peter Gabriel's solo career (around about So), though not without charms. A taste I might acquire with additional exposure.

4 3

Peter continue de faire bonne figure sans non plus casser trois pattes à un canard. C'est l'occasion de rappeler que seulement 20 albums sur presque 1000 cassent jusqu'ici les trois pattes du canard. Robert est un nullos confirmé.

Nouveau jour, nouvel album de merde

While there were certainly a few solid tracks here, it didn't have the solid through-and-through wildness of his debut. Still better than So, though.

One of those cases where the name on the album makes all the difference, because as albums go this one is rather eccentric.

cons: saxophone bass tone is awful pros: memorable melodies good songwriting

Some good some bad

Gostei de ouvir o álbum inteiro. Foi uma descoberta legal. Não achei ele super marcante por inteiro mas mto bom Fave: no self control, and through the wire

Eigenlijk boeiender dan die vorige, maar ik ben een beetje moe van Peter vandaag.

Minder sterk als So, maar ook erg prettig

Heel tof eigenlijk! De hele sfeer en productie is goed, en de meeste nummers zijn heel pakkend. Ga ik nog vaker luisteren!

I was surprised by a lot of the songs. Some of the dissonance I didn't like but I know I could warm up to it over time. Wish I could give it a 3.5, because I don't feel like it deserves a 3 or a 4