So

With each and every passing Peter Gabriel album, I've asked when we would get So. The day has finally come, and my life is better for it. So many memories attached to this album, Dad played this all the time. He loved to do this bit with "Sledgehammer" where he'd turn the volume up extremely loud to hear the flute bit at the beginning, then the proper song would come in blaring and we'd laugh and dance like maniacs. Honestly absurd how many hits are on here, "Sledgehammer," "Big Time" is a great song, "Red Rain," "Don't Give Up," and the undeniable "In Your Eyes," one I'd put on a short list of greatest songs ever. The deep cuts are good too, I ended up saving all but one track. Wasn't sure on first listen if it would be a 4.5 or 5, second listen locked it in. Drop dead classic, one of my absolute favorites from the '80s. Favorite tracks: In Your Eyes, Big Time, Sledgehammer, Red Rain, Don't Give Up (shout out Kate Bush), That Voice Again, Mercy Street, This is the Picture. Album art: Just a shot of Peter Gabriel, but the stark contrast with the bright white background adds a lot. Turns an unassuming portrait into something bold, almost mystical. His clothing is pure black too, I'm kind of obsessed with how much of this cover is just black or white. 5/5

Peter Gabriel is great and there are some great songs on this album, but not quite 5 star for me. I’d give 4.5 if I could.

sledgeHAMMA

The nostalgic enjoyment of Sledge Hammer was not enough to save this album.

So... I was born a few years after 1982 and this is one of my favorites and it would be a serious oversight if it didn't make an appearance on this 1001 list. Is this Peter Gabriel's best album? Maybe. It's easily one of his most important and emotionally charged, despite feeling a bit uneven. I always thought it was strange how this ended on two, more experimental/ambient songs (totally fine songs by the way) but later reissues would place 'In Your Eyes' as the final track which was probably the right choice. I think the real success of this album is the way it bridges gaps into a more accessible territory while not compromising the familiar art rock of his previous work and became a benchmark moving forward. And yes, 'Big Time' is cheesy but that's the point. In fact, that one has some nice Eno/David Byrne quirkiness that makes it fun.

One of the best albums made

Wish I saw this tour but alas, I was 8 years old when it was released. So many songs to love. Hits like Sledgehammer (great video) and In Your Eyes move the needle with milder tunes Don't Give Up and Mercy Street tending to the soul. 10/10

Listening to it without knowing the artist, I cannot bet a good guess on Peter Gabriel. Thinking of Peter Gabriel songs that I know, this is not the type of album I was expecting. This is a clear mismatch, but it was an enjoyable mismatch.

#64 - Pleasant but nothing stuck with me here.

sledgehammer!

Musiikkia, ihan passelia sellaista, mutta ei minua varten.

A little disappointing. Sledgehammer is such an awesome track, I was hoping for more monster bops but the rest of the album can’t live up to that standard. Still a good listen but closer to a 3 than a 5. Also becoming pretty apparent who Dimery’s favourite member of Genesis is.

Peter Gabriel is a weird dude. Like Brian Eno weird. Like David Bowie weird. Just weird. This is a classic 80s pop album that's both catch and cool... but not weird. "Sledgehammer" is a big hit but it's not weird. Peter Gabriel didn't sell out because every now and then, people need to get paid. But this isn't what Gabriel is all about.

A great lushly produced masterpiece.

Peter Gabriel's magnum opus. Melody and African influence. Strong songs with love and joy.

Red Rain is best track IMO.

Red rain: Mysterious production. Lots of layers. love the almost strained vocals from peter. Feels like a great intro to this project. Lyrics paint a vivid scene that matches both the production and vocals 5/5 Sledgehammer: Feels very different than red rain. Banger production and great vocals. Very sussy lyrics tho. Perhaps the first track is foreshadowing??? 4.5/5 Don’t Give Up: A bit boring to start. Love the lush production. Good vocals from Kate Bush. Feels like a bit of a continuation of Red Rain. Powerful lyrics 4.5/5 That Voice Again: Great vocals. Somewhat chaotic and dated production choices. Does blend in well after the previous song. Solid but didn't feel a big connection. 3.5/5 In your Eyes: Great hook. Again great vocals (lol). Love the production 5/5 Mercy Street: Love the ambient production. Reminds me of Depeche Mode. Not a huge fan of the hook. Lyrics are very moving. Wish it progressed more 4/5 Big time: Its a banger. Does feel a bit out of place though. 5/5 We do what we're told: Cool ambient production. Feels very out of place. Weird way to end the album 3/5 Verdict: A fun and enjoyable '80s album with great vocals and productions that at times doesn't quite know what it wants to sound like, but still sounds great nonetheless. 4/5

Good album, Sledgehammer had a tonne of listens but it didn't sound very familiar to me. Peter Gabriel really sounds like Phil Collins to me, looking into it it's because they're both from Genesis and frequently Phil was backing up Peter Gabriel. Go figure! That's probably obvious to anybody who is a little more familiar with Genesis than I am.

Such a perplexing mix of quality bangers and absolute mediocrity

I consider this one of the few rock classics of the 80s

Hitty

Insanely tight and crisp-sounding new-wavey era pop-rock music. Peter Gabriel, alongside legendary bassist Tony Levin, construct such a well-rounded album here that varies so greatly in sound between each track. You have these upbeat love songs like 'That Voice Again', progressively funky tracks like 'Sledgehammer', some darker and somber tracks with 'Don't Give Up', and the cryptic yet intriguing and poetic 'Mercy Street'. There's one thing all these songs have in common though and it's that they all showcase Peter's undeniable knack for catchy hooks and evocative writing. His deep, and at times raspy, vocals fit so snuggly into the busy mixes here. The background vocals that occasionally crop up only give his voice more weight and definition. And again, it all sounds so crisp and fluttery, thanks in part to Tony's bass style, which, as demonstrated by those 80s King Crimson records, so perfectly complements new-wave grooves - giving them a unique flare that wouldn't be there otherwise. This is scientifically well-constructed pop music from the 80s - really good stuff and undeniably easy to digest.

So is the fifth studio album by Peter Gabriel, originally released in 1986. I'm not a huge fan of Peter Gabriel's solo work. I really tend to prefer his Genesis-era stuff. I think he fell victim to the 80s production fads, and that shows on this record. I'm sure it was pretty revolutionary/experimental at the time, but it certainly didn't age well. This record in particular seems to lean more into pop than his previous work. Apparently this is because of pressure from his label to "market" his music better. There are some cool moments on here, particularly when he strays from the pop song structure and lets the synths create a spacey, trippy sonic landscape. It has its moments, but leans too far into the "80s pop" vibe for me.

Listened on a stressful day and enjoyed it. I love In Your Eyes, can't be less than 4 bc it has In Your Eyes on it

Liked every song but every song was too long. They all overstayed their welcome.

Some of this was pretty cheesy, but he has a nice voice at least!

sledgehammer in MY eyes? it's more likely than you'd think

how is Peter Gabriel not on the Time/Life Ultimate Love Songs Collection, a two CD set yours for only 26.99 but if you pay by credit card you'll save ten dollars

"Mercy Street" is a standout for me. Beautiful vocals and atmosphere. While an ultimate good, the incorporation of non-Western music comes off cheesy to my modern ear. The end of "In Your Eyes" is an example.

Actually never listened to the album in full. Of course I remember the hits, but the album is really worth listening more often! For me, Mercy Street really caught me by surprise, what a great song!

I was hoping for something way better than this is. I dare not even say it. Has some excellent song and it ends with one of my favorites from Gabriel but the rest of the album just doesn't quite work out a lot of the time. Felt underwhelmed with a lot of this.

In your eyes is really the only song I was into.

BL: I own this album on cassette for testing my cassette player with speakers, but never listened the whole way through. AL: I loved this album. There are so many understated picks which keep their pop appeal but also channel a level of aberrant I hadn’t expected. The second half isn’t quite as good, but I still loved it. FT: “Red Rain”, “Mercy Street” 4/5

Once I get beyond Sledgehammer, this is a really good album.

Inconsistent in my mind, alternating between excellent pop songs and snoooooooze.

Day224 - from the videos on mtv to listening to the album just for the music this is a masterpiece

This album manages to encompass both the best and worst of what I think of as the most stereotypical 80s pop. In Your Eyes is pretty great and hits the mark with some 80s cheese but in a good way. Stuff like Sledgehammer and Big Time are 100% cheese -- Sledgehammer being the worst offender with innuendo so uncreative that it's been basically parodied to death at this point.

fágað eighties popp. kannski fíla ég þetta í annarri umferð? 3,5

Artiste connu, quand il chantait au sein de Genesis. Je connais quelques morceaux en solo tirés de cet album : Red Rain + Sledgehammer - Dont Give Up + Et découvert We Do What We're Told ++ Mais pour le reste rien de bien intéressant. J'aime toujours sa voix et façon de chanter ... Mais musicalement je le préférais avec Genesis. => 3/5

this was so... okay.... sledgehammer and big time were good! everything else was alright i guess

Kinda blurred through it, seemed pretty chill nothing annoyed me so all in all alright👍 6.5/10

it is fine i guess sledgehammer is phenomenal but everything else is like ok 2.5/5

Classic

The album with all the hits that come to mind when one thinks of Peter Gabriel. Adds up to a pretty solid release.

Boring..... the Sledgehammer was the least boring

Classic album by the wonderful Peter Gabriel. Sheer class

So - Peter Gabriel is that good! I was listening to the anniversary edition, and after a while I thought this wasn't right. It's way too long. I didn't realize they had 3 'discs' on the 25th anniversary deluxe edition, which to me made it .. well, lets' just say different. It went on too long for me. SO - I listened again, just the original album, and it's perfect as is. No need to add tracks. He's amazing!

Love this album. Was my first foray into PG back in his school. I never kept up with him, but later went back through his Genesis catalog and then solo work up to this album. I need to spend more time on Gabriel.

I mean, it's Peter Gabriel.

"Sledgehammer" and its music video are all-time classics, and the rest of the album doesn't disappoint. As a 90's kid, maybe the 80's were alright.

In Your Eyes is an amazing song. I guess I'm a bit lukewarm on the rest of the album. The Kate Bush song is ok (thankfully he couldn't get Dolly Parton like he originally wanted). I do like This Is The Picture with Laurie Anderson. I find the lyrics to Sledgehammer odd. But I do generally enjoy the 80's sound.

Hard not to like this album that starts out on an extremely solid footing and tapers off a titch from there.

Five. Yeah. What? So, what? It's mine, so what? No shame in some guilty pleasure Peter Gabriel 80's music. I grew up with this one.

I enjoyed “So” the most of the three Peter Gabriel albums on the list, but that’s probably reliant on the nostalgia brought on by the big hits.

A great album, with no fat whatsoever. With So, Peter Gabriel delivered the perfect blend of his prog rock beginnings in Genesis and the heady alt-pop/new wave sounds that took the 80s by storm. The lyrics have soulful depth in places, and cheeky subversiveness in others. The music is complex and surprising, even today, with world music influences galore. Even the grossly overplayed In Your Eyes can still strike the heart, though Don’t Give Up has always been the chilling winner in my book. The videos for the monster hits Sledgehammer and Big Time were all the rage back in MTV days, but the songs still pack a punch even without the clever visuals. No hesitation for me - 5 stars.

This album swings from great to strange to decent soft pop. Sledgehammer, where the bass and guitar parts quietly dominate almost unnoticed in the background, is awesome. I liked it better the second time around.

I am not a Peter Gabriel person -or actually, it’s how I want to qualify myself- but “So” is spotless. Flawless flow, only great songs, great production… I love it. I am not gout to pretend I did not enjoy it. It got me.

### *So* by Peter Gabriel: An In-Depth Review Released in 1986, *So* marked a pivotal moment in Peter Gabriel's career, transitioning him from a cult favorite into a global superstar. The album, his fifth solo effort, blends art rock, pop, world music, and soul into a richly textured soundscape that appeals to both mainstream and avant-garde listeners. The album’s success, both critically and commercially, cemented Gabriel's status as a significant figure in popular music. ### **Music and Production** **Musical Diversity and Innovation:** *So* is celebrated for its eclectic musical palette, which draws from a wide range of influences. The album opens with “Red Rain,” a track that showcases Gabriel's penchant for layering intricate rhythms with atmospheric production. The song's brooding tone is set by its use of a dense, polyrhythmic drum pattern, a hallmark of Gabriel’s work. The influence of world music is evident here, foreshadowing the later global sounds on tracks like "In Your Eyes." The album's most iconic track, “Sledgehammer,” is a funky, horn-driven explosion that contrasts sharply with the album’s more introspective moments. Co-produced by Daniel Lanois, known for his work with U2 and Brian Eno, the track epitomizes the album's high production values. The song’s crisp, punchy brass arrangements and innovative use of sampling were groundbreaking at the time and played a significant role in the track’s mass appeal. "In Your Eyes" is another standout, blending African rhythms with Western pop sensibilities. Gabriel’s collaboration with Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour on this track adds authenticity to its world music elements, creating a transcultural dialogue that resonates emotionally and sonically. The song's structure builds from a subdued opening to a euphoric climax, a technique that highlights Gabriel's ability to craft dynamic musical narratives. The album also features more subdued, emotionally intimate tracks like “Mercy Street” and “Don’t Give Up.” "Mercy Street" is an ethereal piece inspired by the life and work of poet Anne Sexton, marked by its subtle use of synths and a haunting, almost hypnotic, vocal performance. "Don’t Give Up," a duet with Kate Bush, marries a sparse, minimalist arrangement with a poignant message of resilience and support, showcasing Gabriel’s sensitivity as a songwriter. **Production Quality:** The production on *So* is lush and meticulous, balancing the organic warmth of traditional instruments with the digital sheen of 1980s studio technology. Co-producer Daniel Lanois brought a distinct atmospheric quality to the album, blending ambient textures with sharp, precise instrumentation. This is particularly evident on tracks like “Red Rain” and “Mercy Street,” where the use of reverb and delay creates a spacious, immersive listening experience. Lanois and Gabriel also experimented with a variety of recording techniques, such as gating the reverb on drums—a technique popularized by Phil Collins—which gives tracks like "Big Time" their punchy, dynamic sound. The integration of synthesizers, such as the Fairlight CMI, alongside traditional instruments, helped define the album's cutting-edge sonic identity. ### **Lyrics and Themes** **Exploration of Personal and Universal Themes:** Peter Gabriel's lyrics on *So* are both introspective and outward-looking, dealing with themes of love, loss, political unrest, and spiritual yearning. "Red Rain," for example, can be interpreted as a reflection on environmental destruction, emotional turmoil, or even the apocalyptic fears of the nuclear age, a topic that weighed heavily on the collective consciousness of the 1980s. "Sledgehammer" is lyrically playful, its overt sexual innuendo contrasting with the serious tone of other tracks. Here, Gabriel uses the metaphor of a sledgehammer to explore themes of desire and power dynamics in relationships, all within the framework of a catchy, radio-friendly tune. “Don’t Give Up” presents a narrative of despair countered by hope and support. Inspired by the economic hardships faced by many in the Thatcher-era UK, the song speaks to the struggle of the working class, but also conveys a universal message of perseverance. Kate Bush's tender vocal delivery provides a comforting counterpoint to Gabriel's somber verses, creating a dialogue that enhances the song’s emotional impact. "In Your Eyes" is perhaps the album's most spiritually uplifting track, often interpreted as a love song, but also carrying broader existential implications. Gabriel’s lyrics touch on themes of connection, longing, and the search for meaning, which resonate deeply with listeners from diverse backgrounds. "Mercy Street," inspired by Anne Sexton's poetry, delves into themes of mental illness, existential angst, and the search for inner peace. Gabriel's lyrics are introspective and layered, inviting multiple interpretations and connecting the listener with the emotional depth of Sexton's work. **Narrative Complexity and Symbolism:** Gabriel’s use of symbolism and narrative complexity sets *So* apart from more conventional pop albums of its era. His lyrics often weave together personal and political themes, creating songs that are both introspective and reflective of broader societal concerns. For example, “We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37)” draws on the infamous Milgram experiment to explore themes of authority and obedience, a subtle yet powerful commentary on human psychology and moral responsibility. ### **Influence and Legacy** **Impact on Music and Culture:** *So* had a significant impact on the music industry and popular culture, setting new standards for both artistic ambition and commercial success. The album’s fusion of world music with mainstream pop helped pave the way for a broader acceptance of global sounds in Western music. This influence is evident in the work of artists like Paul Simon, whose *Graceland* album, released shortly after *So*, similarly blends African music with American pop. The album’s innovative production techniques, particularly the use of digital sampling and gated reverb, influenced a generation of musicians and producers. The success of singles like “Sledgehammer” and “Big Time” demonstrated that experimental, genre-blurring music could achieve mainstream success, a notion that was particularly important in an era dominated by synth-pop and hair metal. *So* also had a lasting influence on music videos, with the groundbreaking video for “Sledgehammer” using stop-motion animation, claymation, and surreal imagery to create a visual experience that was as innovative as the music itself. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson and featuring the work of Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay, the video became an MTV staple and is still regarded as one of the greatest music videos of all time. **Enduring Popularity:** The album’s enduring popularity is evident in its continued presence in “greatest albums” lists and the ongoing influence of its sound and themes on contemporary artists. Tracks from *So* have been covered by numerous artists across various genres, and the album has been reissued multiple times, including a 25th-anniversary edition that features remastered versions of the original tracks, as well as a wealth of bonus material. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Musical Innovation:** The album's blend of diverse genres and innovative production techniques set it apart from contemporaries, making it a landmark in the development of art rock and pop music. 2. **Emotional Depth:** Gabriel’s lyrics are introspective and complex, dealing with themes that range from personal relationships to societal issues, allowing the album to resonate on multiple levels. 3. **Cohesive Production:** The production by Peter Gabriel and Daniel Lanois is meticulous and cohesive, creating a unified sound that enhances the emotional and thematic content of the songs. 4. **Cultural Impact:** *So* was a commercial and critical success, influencing a wide range of artists and helping to bridge the gap between world music and mainstream pop. 5. **Iconic Music Videos:** The innovative music video for “Sledgehammer” pushed the boundaries of the medium and remains influential in the visual presentation of music. **Cons:** 1. **Overproduction:** Some critics have argued that the album, at times, suffers from overproduction, with the lush arrangements occasionally overshadowing the raw emotion of the songs. 2. **Inconsistent Tone:** The album’s wide range of musical styles can feel disjointed to some listeners, making it less cohesive than Gabriel’s earlier, more thematically unified albums. 3. **Mainstream Leanings:** While *So* is celebrated for its innovation, some purists may feel that Gabriel’s move towards a more mainstream sound compromised some of the edginess and experimentation that defined his earlier work. 4. **Dated Production Elements:** Certain production choices, such as the use of gated reverb on drums, can sound dated to modern ears, particularly given the shift towards more organic, stripped-back production styles in contemporary music. 5. **Commercial Pressure:** The success of *So* put Gabriel under immense pressure to replicate its commercial achievements, which arguably led to a more cautious approach in his subsequent work, potentially stifling his creative evolution. ### **Conclusion** *So* by Peter Gabriel is an album that masterfully balances artistic ambition with commercial appeal, blending diverse musical styles and exploring deep emotional and thematic content. Its innovative production, combined with Gabriel’s evocative lyrics and vocal performances, has secured its place as a classic in the annals of pop and rock music. While it may have its flaws, such as moments of overproduction and a slightly inconsistent tonal unity, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise groundbreaking work. The album’s influence on both the music industry and popular culture is undeniable, and its tracks continue to inspire and resonate with new generations of listeners. *So* remains a testament to Peter Gabriel's vision as an artist, and its legacy is one of innovation, emotional depth, and enduring relevance.

Utter. Shite.

Sigh, when Peter went commercial and sold his soul.. not to say that he wasn't still breaking his heart and soul open emotionally and creatively, but he figured out how to make mega bucks and sing for everyone. 4 stars. Would be 5 if it wasn't so commercial oh will

Peter Gabriel strikes me as the worst person to have over for dinner

I think this album was a bit too deep for me today - maybe another listen in the right mood would have hooked me a little deeper. Sledgehammer and Big Time were pretty great tracks, just as I remembered them from 80's radio. In Your Eyes was a legit track for sure, I think the rest of this record is pretty uninteresting to me. it's produced well and sounds good enough.

An 80s rock/pop album with generic 80s sound. Didn't like the vocals in this. Didn't liked the too jangly sound. Sledgehammer is an absolute banger though. Big time is okay too. We do what we're told is pretty. Rest is just meh. Also, terrible album cover.

agætt

This one is a true classic!

Difficult to review for me. Genious album, but many difrferent directions. Saddle up to ride n all directions - Peter Gabriel - stile (I think)

Lidt en kompagnon til Hounds of Love: Første halvdel er fyldt med ikoniske 80'er popsange, anden halvdel er mere eksperimenterende og elektronisk. Kates udgave er ældet en del bedre, bangerne er større og den eksperimenterende del er mere interessant på Hounds of Love. Når det så er sagt, så kommer So tæt på en 5'er for mig ved at ende på In Your Eyes, en af de bedste kærlighedssange nogensinde

Lyden er virkelig lækker, sangene er catchy selvom de godt kan komme til at lyde lidt ens! Flinkt af Peter Gabriel at lave en plade som ikke hedder Peter Gabriel

Fint featuring med Kate Bush, det lød meget godt!

There are a couple of really iconic songs on this album, but for me, overall the album didn't hold up very well. There is some about his vocal style that kind of sets me on edge. It's kind of like he's on the brink of having an emotional fit of one type or another.

probably my favorite peter gabriel album tbh

Superb

This is one of my favorite albums by a hugely talented artist. I listened to this cassette until it snapped in my boombox. Also bought it on vinyl, CD, MP3s and FLAC. No bad songs. The only things better are the live versions of many of these songs on the Secret World Live tour, but that’s because I really like the contrast of Peter Gabriel’s and Paula Cole’s voices. Also, I jammed my thumb while making the bed listening to this album. I ended up in pain and listening to In Your Eyes. Reminds me of high school…

There's a few hits for sure. It's probably because it's 2024 and not 1986 anymore, but this is literally the most 80's album I have ever heard in my life, Jesus Christ. It's really not bad and even has a song or two I enjoy. It's really getting a 2 because I'm looking at the things I gave a 3, and it's just not quite on paar with those.

It was okay. Not bad or good? Just very slow and too boring and mid. Kinda annoying for me personally, his voice is not the best… 4.6/10.

Cheesy as hell but I dig it. Tony Levin seriously brings it on bass.

This is probably my favorite Peter Gabriel album (or at least the most consistent and solid for his style and sound), so I'm really glad it's included in the collection. I also feel like somehow he and Phil Collins both got caught up in the same weird Genesis-inspired let's-go-solo-and-write-very-listenable-and-almost-mainstream-music-but-include-very-repetitive-lyrics-that-don't-really-make-sense-no-matter-how-closely-you-listen-to-it. But despite that, there's just something about nearly every song on this album that I really enjoy and am perfectly happy to listen to repeatedly. I guess it's just a guilty pleasure, as I know so many people that can't stand Peter Gabriel's music; I'm glad not to have caught that particular bug. I really appreciate the range of the songs in this album, and some of them have strong storylines despite being fairly sappy in some ways. "Don't give up", as syrupy as it is, especially with Kate Bush's duet, seems like a very personal song that Peter Gabriel was willing to share, and "Mercy Street" seems like a worthy descendant of "Solsbury Hill", while "We do what we're told" always feels like an anthem of outsiders and the dispossessed. I also appreciate it that his world music infusions aren't as dominating on this album as some others, although I feel like both he and David Bryne managed to incorporate world music in a more successful and less-cringeworthy way than most artists; in that context, what a bummer that "So" lost out to "Graceland" for the album of the year Grammy, as I feel like Paul Simon's take on world music is pretty painful. And what a treat to discover that Daniel Lanois participated in this album, as I've really enjoyed his (later) solo work.

This is not a bad album: well executed, a few hit songs (In Your Eyes, Sledgehammer), but it's just not to my taste. I think his music, for me, isn't all that memorable. He is good at creating atmosphere though.

Solid album, kinda jumps around from fast song to slow song which threw me off. Red rain sounds like it’s straight from the Tarzan sound track.

\HITS\ sledgehammer - timeless banger alert!!!!!!!! i'm a longtime sledgehammer stan. would throw ass to this in your eyes - another timeless banger. maybe the only thing in history to make me want to be cringe and stand on top of a mountain in the blazing sun and appreciate the breeze and be grateful about life big time - classic 80s formula, happy to be introduced to this track, it's underrated probably, inxs vibesssss that voice again - SO FUN & makes me feel something, chorus carries heavy. scratches my brain with the same buildup and peaking as the promise - when in rome \aight\ excellent birds - excellent beat, quirky i rate it red rain - an anthem tbh, rocky raspiness is gud \misses\ don't give up - beautiful piano, epic bass, but alas a miss. might fuck around and just give up. could work at a grade 3 school assembly anti-bullying slideshow? i mean that in the best way possible we do what we're told - confusing. maybe there's a historical reason why this is here and i'm just uncultured. ambient indie game 53% completion cave exploration music. i'm not big on random spooky interludes. L mercy street - whimsy, simon & garfunkelly, kinda too soft lil bit new wave, lil folky, lil progressive rocky. maybe if i knew more about composition and musical shit it would hit harder bc to a peasant it does sound like it would be considered a technical masterpiece. but for me the overall vibes were just dec, for sure some JAMS on here though. 3/5

Some of the instrumentation is cool, but didn't capture my attention overall

So many bangers

The song Sledgehammer is about his penis

So... 80s pop production ruined 80s pop music. It's all a mushy neon slap. 5/10

The most conventionally popular album for Peter Gabriel. Chock full of excellent musicians and fantastic tunes. The first album that I bought with my own money, the first artist I did a major deep dive into their discography, #2 best live performance I have ever seen. SO is truly a bridge to the rest of his works, more accessible but with all the things that you love in a Peter Gabriel album.

Wow, I really like this. It sounds very similar to Phil Collins's solo work and that's great. Listening to the whole album gave me a great perspective because I got to hear hits and less popular tracks.

I thought this was pretty much a perfect album. From the songwriting, to the musicianship, production- everything is done to such a high level. Not to mention- it was a damn fun listen, to boot.

It’s really hard for me to separate this from most other dreadful 80s pop synth/drum machine dreadfulness. He’s even deployed the one of the 80s greatest musical instruments, Kate Bush’s voice, to very little effect. Only the singles Sledgehammer and Big Time (which I enjoyed more than imagined), save this from a 1*.

Has some of my favourite eighties tunes, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes and a cracking duet but with the Bush. Can we forgive Sledgehammer..... Yeah we can.

Another example of fairly GOOD 80s production. Sounds much less dated than most of its contemporary albums. And there are so many layers of keyboards, percussion, interesting time signatures and rhythms (especially for songs that would broadly qualify as pop) to keep you interested even on the 200th listen of eg Sledgehammer. All without ever losing focus. What irks me the most, I suppose, is a certain perspective Gabriel tends to have in his lyrics, which... I can't put my fingers on. Regardless, this certainly is a groundbreaking album in terms of songwriting, blending avantgarde and world music influences with an incredible catchiness.

Great album

After rating what essentially is a "one hit wonder" revisiting this gem was a real treat. I remember when this came out and some of the songs started getting radio play and I was thinking it might be worth checking out. Eventually I picked it up and realized that it is one of those "good from start to finish" or "no throwaways" albums. I believe I had this on tape and had not heard it for decades, but here it is and yeah, it is truly a great album. Peter Gabriel in general is one of those musicians that the young generations should be exposed to and get to know. This one would be worthy this list, even if it were 101 albums you should hear.

The highs are high but the lows are So low

Although, there's really spectacular about this album, it was a pretty defining album for the time. And Gabriel is a fantastically talented songwriter.

Muy buenos temazos y Peter un gigante. Decae en el medio un poco.

I didn’t quite understand the valleys of this album, but they mountains are a high ride!

It was pretty sweet. From the album cover I was expecting an english Luis Miguel, but I was pleasantly surprised. Many songs sound like disney songs tho. Would rate 4.5

I like Peter Gabriel in pop mode. This album has two classic songs: “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes.” Both are great. “In Your Eyes” is particularly beautiful. I love lyrics that find find new ways to say, “let’s bang” and this one from “Sledgehammer” is pretty great: “Show me 'round your fruit cage 'Cause I will be your honey bee Open up your fruit cage Where the fruit is as sweet as can be” The slow songs are a little meandering for me and there’s still a fair amount of pretension here which is the thing that always keeps me from enjoying Peter Gabriel more. But the two big songs were enough to remind me that I do like him sometimes.

Wonderful 80's reverb washed, synth pop goodness. I love the strained Springsteen-esque vocals on the first track. It sounds more Bruce than Peter which is kind of funny to me. There's something about this time period music that makes me feel like I'm about to embark on something. It's so big yet small, epic yet cool, and always fun. It's an impossible mashup of artistic energy that somehow works. I think for me this might be the case because I was born in 89 and grew up watching 80's and 90's movies that had this sort of music so I think I associate so much of this sound with the start of a movie. "Sledgehammer", more like "Slaphammer" cause this track slaps. Great energy and groove. "In Your Eyes" is a great album closer. John Cusack holding up his boombox and playing this song in the film "Say Anything" is one of the most memorable pop culture moments ever. I'd love to give this a 4 but I think it's just a bit short of that. The songs in between the two big boppers that I mentioned are just OK and don't elevate it enough in my opinion.

Vraiment cool, vu le nombre de fois où je lee relance 5/5 ?

Solid effort

Annoyingly cringey

Me: "Alexa, what did the 80s sound like?" Alexa: "Playing 'So' by Peter Gabriel." Me: "Alexa, that's enough of that thank you very much!"

Питер интересный. этот альбом не запомнился, но продолжаю думать, что надо расследовать всего Питера. смешно, что нигде в спотифае не упомянуто, что в одной песне Кейт Буш, просто какая-то девица на бэк-вокале

Det er sgu cool nok.

When I saw the name Peter Gabriel come up it rang a bell but I couldn't think of any song I knew by him. I must just have heard a lot of people mention his name through the years. The music has a lot of the same feel as Phill Collins' solo stuff and someone else's that I can't quite place right now. With an average song length >5 min there's no sense of short-but-sweet about any of the songs, but somehow some of them still manage to feel quite short. 'In Your Eyes' at times reminds me of the Tarzan soundtrack in some parts which I guess speaks to Peter Gabriel and Phill Collins' shared roots in Genisis. Overall I find the album a bit slow and the songs tended to fade into the background for me quite a bit. 'Red Rain' has the rawest vocal of the album and it makes it stand out to me. But I feel like it overstays its welcome a bit just repeating the very simple chorus for around a one and a half minutes straight. 'In Your Eyes' feels like it has the most world music inspiration. 'Sledgehammer' has a pretty funky bassline Standouts Sledgehammer Big Time In Your Eyes "That English guy from Genisis"/5 (4/5)

Not a bad album. I like Peter Gabriel's voice, and Sledgehammer is a good song. There are some nice harmonies in That Voice Again and Mercy Street. Didn't care for the female vocalist in Don't Give Up.

I really like „in your eyes“. The rest of it left me a little colder.

I wasn't aware this was Daniel Lanois produced, but always gravitated to it in the Peter Gabriel discography. One more piece of evidence that Lanois helps artists shine brightes. I love almost everything about this, 80s sound and all.

This would not have been on my short list for a hands down “5” rating, but with arguably 6 of 9 tracks certified bangers, it’s hard not to give a full boat of stars. The drums are good throughout but particularly on “Hear that voice again”. “Red Rain” is a solid opener. The duet with 80’s icon Kate Bush is a sleeper I forgot about. “Sledgehammer”, while well played was one of the most recognizable videos of the MTV era, “Big Time” gets a mention there as well. Then finishing up super strong with “In your eyes”, prompting me to revisit the great John Cusak holding up the boom box in the classic 80’s coming of age film, “Say Anything”. Nice weekend surprise on the nostalgia front.

I’m betting this is gonna be one of the albums that spans the gamut of reviews across the team. So (literally)…I’ll just get it out of the way up front. A full 5 hands down. Most likely due to “where was I when this first came out” memories. Yes, some of the production is a bit dated (it was the 80s after all)…but the musicianship is next level. And the ability to fuse world music influences with pop sensibilities is well ahead of its time. Something Gabriel had a pulse on long before most artists. Throw in the feat of having 5 of the 9 songs landing on some charts, along with a pretty long legacy stay power and it’s hard to deny this unique record.

I guess there’s a time and place for songs like Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes, but man was the rest of this a slog to get through.

Sledgehammer is some cheesy 80s ish but I like it. And I quite enjoy In Your Eyes. A few others on this but overall not my cup of tea. And def have to check out Christian Bales monologue in American Psycho every time I think about Pete. 3.5

Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are obvi great. I’m sure there’s a lot about this album I don’t get…just sounds a little corny to me. I’m teetering between 3* and 4*, but rounding down cuz I don’t think it’s on the same level as other 4* albums thus far. Very close, though. 3.5/5

2.5

Fantastic

Klassiskt album.

kinda littington

So good

Sledgehammer was played everywhere. All the time. The video was played everywhere. All the time. Sledgehammer, indeed. Don't Give Up stopped me from giving up, and to this I pin one star. Annoying voice (wasp in a jam jar) and just clunky nonsense, really. Terrible lyrics! Let there be no doubt about it ...

So.....boring! Over produced 80s stuff, and he was somehow annoying. 'Don't Give Up' is the best song here but listen to the Willie Nelson & Sinead O'Connor version, it's much better.

I have to admit I didn’t finish this. Dull and more dull.

Only love can make looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove

Not for me. Beautifully produced and engineered but this style of music is the reason for the rise of Metal and grunge

One of the great albums of the 1980s. It's pretty much perfect.

A classic album. One of my favorites. I love this guy.

So 80s you can taste it. In a good way.

We enjoyed this, especially Sledgehammer, Red Rain and Don't Give Up.This is a Picture detracted from the cohesion a little.

I'm not sure I'll listen to anything besides the singles again, but it's far more approachable Gabriel, so I now have two reasons to appreciate him leaving Genesis.

After the release of his four self-titled albums, it seemed to be that Peter Gabriel had nothing left to prove; he had certified hits with Solsbury Hill and Games Without Frontieres, well-crafted tracklists from start to finish, and incredible live shows that even had Gabriel crowd surfing from a trust fall into the audience. What more was there to do? SUPRISE, IT'S SLEDGEHAMMER. IT'S HIS BEST SONG BAR NONE. His adoption of funk rock and new wave grooves makes this an instant classic. Reflected even better by its creative music video that MTV loved to keep in rotation. We can also talk about the gorgeous Don't Give Up with Kate Bush or the immaculate In Your Eyes that seems to go unappreciated until you sit down and actually listen to it, but Sledgehammer! Wow, what a song. Sledgehammer kind of makes this album for me. I'm still riding that high.

Really good album, I'd listen again. Didn't find it super essential, but it is quality

Such a Unique perspective, not to mention the legendary video of Sledgehammer

Ok. Would listen again.

Great album. We Do What We're Told is such a phenomenal song

I remember when this album was released, pretty sure I had it on cassette. 5 great hits out of the 9 sings on the album. It has become a bit "Dad Rockish" over the years, but is still worth a listen

Einige Hits - Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up ...

Amazing

What was it with music right around 1984? That signature 80's, overly-produced pop sound infiltrated just about every artist making records at the time. And it was noticeable, even as it was happening. Case in point.

Fairly so so

I saw someone say "leave this type of production in the 80s "and basically saying it's not relevant today. Peter Gabriel came out of nowhere with this album and dominated radio and MTV airplay. It was groundbreaking at the time. So when rating this you can't help but think about the visuals that accompanied this album, at a time when video was king. Gabriel merged both music and the visual aspect into a masterpiece.

Hi there. This album is immaculate. It’s a five. I don’t care if you were born in 1998 and you don’t get it, listen again and open your mind. It’s brilliant.

Impressive

I do like this album. Some timeless songs like, "Don't Give Up", "In Your Eyes", "Red Rain" and, of course, "Sledgehammer". The other songs on the album, while not as well known, add to the overall ambience and listening experience.

Like this is getting anything other than a 5

Finally some good fucking music 4.5

Iconic. Every track is a musical journey.

Sledgehammer was a huge hit when I was a teenager, but aside from that track the rest of the album was fairly meh. Made it all the way through though, so the obligatory 2 stars are given.

A favorite from back in the day. Sooo many amazing songs. So much talent in vocals, arrangements, instruments. Lovely to revisit and feel the places music can easily recall in your life…

I like this album quite a bit, now, but that has a lot to do with learning where Peter Gabriel came from and what made him make a song like "Sledgehammer," which I basically categorized as "adult contemporary" when I was younger. The album is relaxing and sounds great, but it definitely doesn't hit like other albums from that era that I'd rather listen to like his ex-bandmate Phil.

“In Your Eyes” is such a great song. But the rest of the album was somewhat middling, in my opinion. It probably doesn’t help that although “Sledgehammer” is a huge hit, it’s never been one of my favorites.

One of my favorites, a great album at the time and still holds up. An amazing artist.

Ok

Yes! Solid album from Peter Gabriel. An 80’s landmark recording.

I’ve always wanted to like Peter Gabriel more than I actually do. And now that I think about it, same for Genesis and Phil Collins too. They have some killer hits but then I end up being bored with the majority of work. Big Time and Sledgehammer are so catchy - the background singers make it so full and fun. But I am just not into any of the other tracks on So. In Your Eyes was a hit but has always been a track I’m quick to pass when scanning the 6 radio stations I have preset.

young romantic me loved loved this record.

I had this pne. It has some great moments

This album is damn near perfection from start to finish. My entire senior year in high school I was obsessed with all of these songs. The videos were ground breaking and Peter being a bit eccentric, IMHO, made him even cooler. Here is my ranking of the songs on So.. 9. This is the Picture - this seems such a typical song that Laurie Anderson would be on - artsy. Solid song, but not my fav on the album. 8. We Do What We’re Told - This has always been a very eerie song. A simple protest song. 7. Mercy Street - This song has always struck me as so sad……almost hopeless. But it has killer music. Haunting. Quite honestly. The next six could be tied for my number 1. It’s like a Sophie’s choice… 6. Red Rain - the soaring drums…..Peters gravely voice…..this song is the perfect kick off for this album. 5. That Voice Again - There is one part to this song that I used to rewind and listen to over and over again…..”Only love can make loooooooooooooove”. 4. Big Time - Indeed, Mr. Gabriel. 3. Sledgehammer - Such an overtly sexual song that fits nicely in an album about Anne Sexton and deep protest songs. 2. Don’t Give Up - So close to being number one. Kate and Peter together were such perfection. Such a beautiful love/support song. The haunting music would not seem to be an obvious choice for this type of song, but it works. 1. In Your Eyes - not my favorite just because it was featured in one of my favorite movies - but because it has such fantastic music…..lyrics…..vocals……bridge. It is such an unorthodox love song I cannot get enough of. Love this album!!!

Eh, not really my thing. Can’t say I found it awful though. Sledgehammer is a decent track.

Прости, если трахнул 7/10

Another one from the category, "Before now I only knew it for one song, but now that I've actually heard it—damn, what took me so long?" It's gotta be one of the best albums of the 80's, as one good album with "Sledgehammer" (the aforementioned one song) should be. Like, in terms of all the various worldy-type progressive art pop songs from the decade, I doubt it got any better than this. My only real complaint is that some of the outros run a bit too long, but it's a nitpick in the grand scheme of things. To quote a bunch of teen girls voiced by an e-mail checkin' wrestlem'n, this album really is "so good." (Now, to address if it's the best album of the 80's overall—I **did** have that thought, but, I mean, as long as Weird Al's IN 3-D still exists... Though that's such a high bar to clear, I would take it too seriously, y'know?)

A masterclass of various 80s pop subgenres, with an excellent mix to boot. Excluding the Big 3 tracks of Sledgehammer, Big Time, and In Your Eyes, the rest of the album just sounds lovely, including the song with Kate Bush I'd totally forgotten about 'til listening to this, and Mercy Street, which is a rare 5+ minute song that never loses steam.

Of course, that’s a 5. It’s already the one that has Sledgehammer, Big Time, and In Your Eyes, which would’ve given the album at least a 4 by themselves; almost every other track here acts perfect complimentary tracks, especially the deeply touching song that is Don’t Give Up. Red Rain is this big bombastic opener, and it sets the tone for a wild variance of production that never once lets up throughout the album, even on its weirdest tracks (the last two before In Your Eyes). If there’s any nitpick I have for this album, it’s that the outros are kind of clunky and a little long, but I imagine that’s some quirk about how radio play would’ve worked in the mid-80s. I think this is fabulous for pretty much the whole thing, top to bottom; the lyrics are great, Peter Gabriel’s voice is magnificent here, and the production compliments it perfectly. It’s one of the finest albums of the 1980s, and very deserving of a 5.

Went in prepared to hate it because I've loooooong been a Genesis and associated acts hater. Liked it a lot more than I thought I would but still not super into it. It's another case of "I kinda like the sounds but I sure like the implementation of it all when done by this other guy". In this case, after I spun this album twice, I listened to some Pete Townsend solo stuff

I.love.this.aalbum.

Very effeminate

Sounds just like an 80's movie soundtrack, from start to finish its actually kind of crazy. I like it a lot though.

too 80s for me. some good songs but not my genre or era

3.5 Pretty good. Definitely had a proggy feel that a mom or dad would love

Thoughts before listening: This album is very highly regarded and I know it has some huge hits on it. I own one Peter Gabriel album which is earlier than this one, and its okay. I don't love it as much as it feels like I should love it. I can't remember if I've listened to So all the way through before, but I'm looking forward to hearing it today. Review: "Sledgehammer" is a perfect pop song. Fun, playful, and catchy as hell, it would have been a massive hit even without its video, but when I hear the song I pleasantly think of watching MTV in the 80s and 90s as well. "Big Time" is another fun, funky pop song that is also going on my playlist. Both of these songs' inclusion on So is a bit misleading. This is a very mature, serious album where everything is good, I'm just not sure I'm enjoying it. The rest of the album is certainly not as fun as "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" would indicate, with the best of the mature songs being "In Your Eyes" which is a great moody ballad. These were the 3 big hits on this album and I guess I'm just a normie who prefers hits to deep cuts. Oh well. 3-stars

Really creative instrumentation

I just needed the first 20 seconds of the disk to insta 5★

classic album. really one hit

Sledgehammer

Pretty good. Second to last song was definitely a weird one but nothing to write home about

The first few songs were good. I could see myself putting this on if I were in the mood for an ultra-80s sound. The second half was a real snoozer, but I did like the finish with In Your Eyes.

A lot of the albums on this list are timeless. This one is most certainly not. Definitely has the 80s vibes right off the jump. I guess it’s the synths that were in style back then maybe? And the vocal style/mixing. Instantly gives it away. It felt boring/cliche to me. It was a shorter album but the songs were SO long. I remember looking down at my phone at 330pm and I was shocked I was only halfway through. Another part of the album that was a bit out of style. To me this album is like a niche tech that took off, but was ultimately rendered obsolete years ago.

Oh shit, we got a surprise Kate Bush feature. I was excited for this one. I love Genesis but I don’t know too much of Peter Gabriel’s solo work. My biggest issue is that I don’t know that I need this many six minute songs, even if they are fairly entertaining. In Your Eyes is by far the best song and an 80s classic. Overall, it was pretty meh. Not bad, but not all that great. I think I’ll stick to Genesis.

QUICK REVIEW...... excellent review. Classic 80s easy listening. This is what I picture when radio stations are labeled as Adult Hits. I didn't dislike it, but I won't remember it.

Solid. Good memories listening to that.

Will Butler Tony’s weekend lessgoo

What an incredible album start to finish. I knew of the singles but not the rest but wasn't disappointed. I can understand why this was such a big album. There's not a bad song on here. I remember as a kid the video for Sledgehammer was absolutely TERRIFYING. Standout Tracks: Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, In Your Eyes

Hi Peter

In the 80s I did like a few of his songs. But the rest on the album are simply ok, nothing more.

Red Rain is an instant classic and the hits keep coming with little dead air

Good

Perfect from start to finish, and one of the best albums of the 80s. Definitely worth throwing into a boombox and playing it outside of the window of the girl you just can't quit — even if her father disapproves.

DIDN'T LIKE

Not something very special to me. Seemed like typical 80s pop music. Reminded me a lot of huey lewis and the news.

I tend to like western music inspired by African/Brazilian music but this didn’t do much for me. Had about the same reaction to the other solo Gabriel album on the list. Maybe it’ll grow on me with time but as of now it hasn’t. Rating: 2.8

Absolute monster of a record

Eh

Reminded me of Phil Collins. I was pleasantly surprised with this album. Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are bangers.

Mediano 2/5

Good 80's music.

So was Peter Gabriel's most commercially sucessful record and has a lot to offer. Excellent writing and musicianship. A definite classic, although not my favorite as far as PG goes, I prefer his earlier albums as well as his work with Genesis. Still a fun listen.

The third track of the album is a seven minute “don’t kill yourself” song. The 80s were weird.

As much as I don’t like 80s pop, this record has so many hits from movies I grew up with, I suppose I can at least give it 3 stars. The synths and drums kill me though - so cheesy.

In 1986, we had plenty of meh AOR, and to some extent I understand some reviewers thinking this is an example; yes, it's over-produced. But I rate the songs (actual bangers, Kate Bush!) and think it's deeper and has more to say than might first appear. I'm no better informed about him than I was back then, tbh: my impression - Genesis were wacky, then became quite boring, then Peter Gabriel went solo and became edgier again, then he went more mainstream (this album), then he did Biko, which was really impactful at the time. I can't quite explain it, but I somehow know that he's smart and emotionally intelligent and has something to say. He has a great voice. A good album.

An absolute classic that I owned on tape cassette. 18 again.

Was a little let down that I did not like this as much as I liked his solo debut. It's definitely less experimental which makes perfect sense timeline wise. However it turns out I really liked the variety of him playing with styles more than one full album of a consistent style with him. One thing this had in common with his debut is both albums have a heck of a finisher song. In Your Eyes is the best song on the album imo. Overall I do really like this album even if it's not as strong to me as his debut. Don't Give Up drags it down a bit for me because I am not a fan, and it's the longest song on the album.

Did not interest me.

i love peter's voice but god he overproduced the shit out of this album. far too many dramatics, far too much social pandering, such a sappy, hammy sounding album. i love over-explaining and over-criticizing but i dont want to even critically examine this and have to listen to it again. and jesus christ Don't Give Up has to be the worst way possible to use a Kate Bush feature. i need to go listen to Hounds of Love

6/5/24. Pop perfection in my mind, loved each song and the artistry.

MIDDDDD

It's alright

groovy

Muslim rugmakers always make an error in their work because only God is perfection. Hence why Big Time exists on this album.

This is a musical masterpiece. I always find it interesting when former band members go and do their own thing. Released from the shackles of group decisions they find themselves free to be the masters of their own creativity. Some crash and burn, others soar. To the moon with this one.

One of my all-time favorite albums.

Some of the production techniques here are a little dated, but still mostly enjoyable. Some interesting blending of styles here too, overall pretty solid.

"Sledgehammer" is one of the best tracks ever made (including the video clip). The rest of the album is okay, not great, not bad.

The singles are all timers. The rest of this I could leave.

Tem lá um grande hit dos anos 80 e o resto.

Pleasantly surprised with this one. I've always avoided Peter Gabriel's music for whatever reason, but I enjoyed this one. Nothing on this is life changing but it has a good vibe and good production. So > Graceland (it's not even close)

This is a great album. I slightly prefer Melt over it (aka III), because I like dark, post-punk Peter Gabriel. That said, it's still fantastic and there isn't a bad song on it. This album is a bit more varied in terms of style and themes, and it's the album featuring most of his biggest hits. Musically, it features a mix of pop/new wave, funk inspired songs, and a bit of the post punk style carried over from Melt. There are some great bass lines and cool drum parts (even though Phil Collins doesn't appear on this album). "We Do What We're Told" is a cool song that feels like a sequel to "No Self Control" from Melt, though it's a bit underdeveloped — I wish it was longer. "That Voice Again" and "This Is The Picture" might be my favorites. Finding out Nile Rodgers plays guitar on the latter makes a lot of sense. The drums on "That Voice Again" are fantastic. Of course it has the classics "Sledgehammer" and "In Your Eyes." It also has the hits "Don't Give Up," featuring Kate Bush and "Mercy Street." I think this is an album that will grow on me even more over repeat listens. 5/5

I want to listen to bikini kill

"Red Rain" es una buena canción para abrir el disco, el tema está en que todo el disco tiene un sonido muy específico, es el sonido de Peter Gabriel, y si bien su voz es un placer, escuchar todo el disco de corrido puede ser un poco monótono. Entre otro destalles, la canción "Dont Give Up" no me gustó, y es que creo que quedó un poco congelada en su tiempo, y siento que la voz femenina no le agregó mucho a la canción. "Mercy Street" tiene un "algo" que la hace mágica... capaz es la superposición de la voz de Peter. En general, creo que puede ser mi canción favorita.

That was really bad. I can't comprehend how this can be considered one of the greatest albums. It's not musically profound in any way, just dreary and strange.

definitely an interesting album but i feel too young and out of touch listening to artists like genesis etc. was still pretty nice though PG prolly a chill guy

5 lovely, nostalgic stars.

Good and consistent pop record. Not the most engaging or memorable though. This aesthetic is pretty dated I feel. Some bangers though.

3.5 - Starts very strong.

Have it on vinyl. Stone classic.

The loud tracks rocked, the quiet tracks need more listening too open then up. But, something this 80s I doubt I'll ever do that. 4 because it's probably better than I appreciate.

Very versatile and mixed with beautiful vocals and instruments.

Amazing album, my personal favorite Peter Gabriel recording

This is a truly amazing, almost perfect piece of 80’s art rock. The production and instrumentation are very much of their time yet it doesn’t sound dated. Although that could be a function of me looking back wistfully at my youth.

Not a bad album. Kinda slow at parts, but it worked. 3/5

Music to get a pay rise to.

Incredibly 80s. Tony levin absolutely kills it. His inclusion pushes it to 4 stars for me. Sledgehammer oc2 with a pick, so sick. CS-80/10

Soft rock extraordinaire. Better than that other guy Phil Foden.

Una grasada, pero qué bien suenan las programaciones.

Enjoyed that!

I remember being a young kid and my dad listening to this album. Now I'm a dad with young kids and it has come full circle.

Laurie Anderson and Kate bush are the highlights, but peter plays along nicely with them

It has 2 of the best songs ever back to back. After the experimentalism of 3, this album is pure pop. Almost a riposte to Phil.

His best

Kate Bush cameo.

Massive 80s album with a really lush soundscsape, albeit somewhat dated with technology. A couple absolute massive hits. Gabriel was a great songwriter for the time and proved with this album that he could cross over to popular appeal.

I'm pretty familiar with big single from this album, Sledgehammer, but not the album as a whole - it's not something I'd have made an effort to listen to at the time. And I think the mid-80s production values don't serve this album well, at least from a 2020s perspective - it's a bit too polished for my taste. That said, I like Sledgehammer and Don't Give Up. Not an essential album in my view.

Loved Mercy street. Everything else didn’t really stand out.

An Album that was a fix point in my early musical experience. Heard it before i knew Peter Gabriel had been part of Genesis.

Obviously well produced and pleasing to listen to. I like Big Time and This Is the Picture. Sort of a misuse of kate bush and a lot of the album is a little too mushy for me I fear. Flying birds excellent birds watch them fly.. so true

So Peter Gabriel is so Peter Gabriel. This is still great

I only knew a couple Peter Gabriel songs before this (In Your Eyes was one of them) but I'm glad I've heard some more. This album is pretty in line with my taste in 80s music. Didn't care much for Don't Give Up sonically, it just didn't stand out to me. The rest of the album was good! I like how dynamic/layered a lot of 80s music can be, and I enjoy the instruments and synths used. In Your Eyes feels very nostalgic to listen to, I used to hear it on the variety radio station as a kid. Overall nice album and I added some of these songs to my massive 80s playlist.

Meeeeh, couple of decent songs but happy this album is done. Sometimes I feel bad reviewing albums like this one and leaving them tainted. I come into it with an open mind and I see the overwhelmingly positive reviews but it fails to resonate with me. Not much I can do I guess as there's way too many albums out there to sit listening to this on repeat until I 'like' or understand it.

Ok

Peter Gabriel going more pop than before but still keeping up the strong songwriting. Sledgehammer is so classic too

Underligt

I enjoyed the second half more than the first. Big time is a favourite.

Enjoyed this, very 80s, obviously Sledgehammer is a jam/standout

BIG. TIME. IM ON MY WAY IM MAKING IT. BIG TIME. Other than that, I’m bored tbh.

Better than it's Wikipedia page made it sound

80s Pop, not my speed, ok for what it is

Gutes Album, reißt mich aber nicht mit. Nur ein Hördurchgang.

Surprised by this album. Really enjoyed it. Only 1 song would be a skipped. Overall I think it's a very good album with solid songwriting and great musical depth. Look forward to listening to more Gabriel albums.

1. red rain - 1 2. hammer - 2 3. dont give up - 2 4. that voice - 1.5 5. mercy ztreet - 1.5 6. big time - 1 7. told - 1 8. picture - 0 9. in your eyez - 1.5

Cheesy lyrics throughout with a lof of repetition, didn't enjoy too much. Voice is okay but doesn't carry that much emotion for me, 2.5.

It has some moments—my fav was “This is the Picture” but mostly because it reminded me a lot of The Talking Heads—but overall, it’s got a little too much melodrama and 80s synth for me. Totally makes sense that he and Phil Collins worked together though, they have a lot of the same sensibilities.

good but feels dated

WOW….I’m reminded of just how awesome that album is. It is a classic with excellent songs from beginning to end. It might be in the top 5 of the first 100 albums I have listened to in my random order.

Sounds like Phil Collins just not as good, but not a bad album

genius.

2.44

I was really hoping this album was going to be my next 5 but it fell short. The opening song had the energy of a Bruce Springsteen song - vocals also reminiscing of the Boss. Sledgehammer is still just as incredible as it was the first time I heard it. I love the sexual innuendos throughout. If you didnt know that song was about getting laid... The lyrics would go over your head. As it did with me for many listens. The overall album isn't bad... It sounds good. I'm just unimpressed with the typical 80s sound: digital this, digital that, drum machines (I now enjoy them, as they don't sound as cheesy), over use of samples and synths... Basically the same complaints I have with 80s Rush... but personally, Gabriel can't hold a candle to Rush. I'm torn between this album, as there are some really interesting things going on: the fusion of world music, soul, with art rock. The use of those traditional instruments with modern instruments of the time... I just think it didn't land the way I wish it did. Perhaps I need a Peter Gabriel fan boy to sit me down and show me why I should like his music. Without a doubt, Peter Gabriel is an incredible artist. I also know he's quite the entertainer during his live shows.

This is a masterpiece. Every song is good. The musicians are outstanding, including Tony Levin's mainly Stick playing! I'm happy this was picked for me, as I haven't heard it completely since it was released.

01) Red Rain - 9,5 02) Sledgehammer - 10,0 03) Don't Give Up - 10,0 04) That Voice Again - 8,5 05) Mercy Street - 9,0 06) Big Time - 9,0 07) We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37) - 8,5 08) This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) - 8,0 09) In Your Eyes - 8,5 TOTAL: 9,00 (90/100) Current Ranking: 19/171 When you have "Sledgehammer", "Don't Give Up", "Big Time" and "Red Rain" all on one album, that's a guarantee for at least four stars. So let's see the rest of the songs that are unfamiliar to me. "That Voice Again" is typical 80's pop-rock (to me it sounds like a blend of Police and Genesis), "Mercy Street" is a very nice slow song, "We Do What We're Told" sounds like a part of the "Blade Runner" soundtrack, "This Is the Picture" reminds me of Gabriel's earlier work ("Games Without Frontiers") and "In Your Eyes" gives us a bit of world music with Youssou N'Dour on backing vocals. After the first listen, the album has a mark of 8,94 and it is 0,01 points short of five stars. It seems cruel to me to leave it at that so let's give it another listen. And then I listened to "Mercy Street" for the second time. Those harmonious vocals accompanied with beautifully haunting music were enough, it's a five stars album.

Too eighties

Starting to get better at telling these 80s boomer acts apart. Billy Joel, Sting, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel. PG definitely rises to the top of that list for me. Love the slow jam moments on the album. 'Don't Give Up' got me good.

Not a bad album to listen to in the car on the way to pick up someone from the airport. But once I got to the end, that was enough, no need to hear it again.

This feels very 80's, but in a good way. For some reason many of the songs sound like Africa by Toto to me. Not sure if there is any connection between Peter Gabriel and Toto or if it is just the general 80's vide. I don't even know if Africa by Toto is from the 80's. I suppose I could look it up, but I probably won't. Maybe Toto's album will be on this list later and I can learn it then. Time will tell.

Fantastic album with some classic jams.

Pretty good album. Enjoyed "Red Rain", "Sledgehammer", "Mercy Street", "Big Time" and "In Your Eyes" a lot. For the time, the production on this record sounds great and the drums and the bass in particular really shine. I do think there's some filler on this record that I'll likely skip through on repeated listens so 4* it is.

Э-э-э... Я предпочитаю более эмбиентные вещи вот этим поп-хитярам. В целом неплохо. Песня с Кейт Буш не такая уж и плохая, как почему-то утверждают. Лучшая песня - Mercy Street.

In 1992, I went away to college. My Dad was really, really strict, and it was very stressful living at home for the last few years. I can remember laying in my bed in my dorm room, with the wind blowing through the open window, and finally feeling relaxed. Relieved. Free. I can remember doing that same thing many times that first semester. Opening the window, climbing up on the top bunk bed, and just being free. Much of the time, I'd throw an album on at high volume while I zoned out. My roommate happened to own this CD. One day, I decided it was a good time for my ritual, and I put it on. I was familiar with Peter Gabriel but had never listened to this album. It was so overpowering and emotional. The sounds created here were so vivid, it's like I could visualize brushstrokes across my vision of the world through my dorm window. I feel like I lived a whole life in my mind while listening to this album. Everything I had been through, what I wanted out of my life, who the important people were for me, where I wanted to go, what I wanted my college experience to be like, who was I outside of my parents' house on on my own, and so on. I was feeling emotions I had never really acknowledged or experienced before. And as I listened to this album today, I was there again. Re-living that time of my life. But now, I listened while knowing what kind of life I've lived and the choices I've made. I realized "Don't Give Up" is a parents' message to their child. And really everything came full circle. I listened and thought of my kids' lives, and what they will do as they grow. And found myself in that zone again. Really truly feeling happiness. It's a beautiful and entertaining album, and one of the few that exist that really take me to another place. So (pun not intended) happy that it popped up today!

"It feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel, too." That's a line from a Vampire Weekend song. But know what's really unnatural about Gabriel? That I never rate him high enough. He's pretty fantastic, isn't he? This album does so much in its running time, from big cheesy '80s numbers to truly beautiful, intimate songs. Because a few tracks here have never really stuck with me, and the album itself isn't necessarily a personal all-timer, I'd have a hard time giving it a full 5 stars. But I fully acknowledge it as a classic, and would give it a solid 4.5 stars if I could.

Pretty good, didn’t wow me sonically

Like Phil Collins but unique in every way. Could say the same that Phil is like Gabriel but either way it was good!

Sounds very 80s - I was reminded of Phil Collins - but there’s also some interesting stuff going on here. Some of the tracks are a little generic (“Big Time”), though others, like “This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds),” are more compelling. This isn’t really my thing, and it’s not quite enough to break me out of my 3-star slump. Maybe 3.5. Favorite tracks: “This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds),” “Red Rain”

Red Rain is a triumphant opener, especially the chorus. Sledgehammer has nice bass and that same 80's sound but it's less memorable for me. Then Don't Give Up is a quiet duet, maybe sounds too much like a soundtrack but Kate Bush sounds good on it. That Voice Again and especially Mercy Street are very strong tracks, subtle but powerful, dense instrumentation and emotional vocals. Big Time is more upbeat but forgettable. Then we go a bit more avant garde for two tracks before the melodies return on In Your Eyes. I like this quite a bit, but it's uneven. Maybe that's the point.

Very, very 80's. Like the soundscape, but quite tiresome after a while. Makes you think what Dylan's Empire Burlesque would sound like in the hands of Eno.

This is great album from start to finish. Every track is solid. One of my faves from that time period

Minimum 4 because of Sledgehammer, the rest of the album gets it to the 5 star

I waited to write my review until the Monday after the Friday I listened to the album now I can't remember anything about it. That means it wasn't bad enough to get two stars but wasn't good enough to get four.

This album is so 80s and I love that for it. Unfortunately, while it starts out great it quickly gets a bit boring.

canciones demasiado largas para despues ser todo lo mismo

Peter Gabriel’s So is nothing that spectacular. he starts it off decently with the best two songs on the album, Red Rain and Sledgehammer, but the album goes downhill consistently after that. Most of the songs are just alright. All in all, So is an alright album. Best Song: Red Rain Worst Song: That Voice Again

Great album milestone

I wish I could say this was so so. Instead, I got one of the most agonizing albums I've ever heard. I suppose art is supposed to make one feel things. I felt pure rage and hatred towards the hack known as Peter Gabriel. Fuck him and his "music"

Some all time classics. Feels very 80s though and that’s not a compliment

This was an interesting listen. I had heard Gabriel's stuff in passing before and had heard he was a pioneer in this genre of music. If I could give this half stars i would give it 3.5/5

Red Rain - love the drums and synths. good background song for driving or studying. Bit too repetitive for me. Sledgehammer - A classicccc. Don't we all want a good sledgehammering sometimes. Also the music video is trippy af. Don't Give Up - low key moody song, love the girls voice but it's too slow for me. Cool baseline at the end. That Voice Again - cool hihats and drumming on this one. Like how it builds up to the chorus. Mercy Street - very atmospheric, I liked the flutes and jungle/island sound. Big Time - very 80s Duran Duran. It's ok We Do What We Are Told - OK weird interlude This Is The Picture - excellent snow, birds flying, pictures of people...right In Your Eyes - omg he sings this song!? So good, it's like Africa by Toto 2.0 Giving it a 3 even though I did find another song I added to my favourites because the slower songs were way to repetitive and really testing me not to skip them lol

Whilst the album is quintessentially 80s, Peter Gabriel has a voice that is able to transcend the era in a way some artists don’t. The album could use some editing though, songs that go on far too long. I get creating an atmosphere, but it gets boring after a while.

Peter Gabriel is definitely a product of his time, but his music is the crème de la crème of 80s music. This is the 2nd Gabriel album I’ve gotten and he is rapidly becoming my favorite artist of the 80s.

Mercy Street is ok. Same with that song from that John Cusack movie. Otherwise boring and forgettable Baby Boomer music.

Ok so this album sounds great from a production perspective, the vocals are good, the choice of Melodie’s is good. However it feels like there’s nothing here, maybe I missed the point of the songs but I didn’t feel like any of them were saying anything. I couldn’t go back and really find a single track that grabbed me in any way. Musically it’s a good listen I just didn’t think there was anything there to go back or to warrant more than the 3*

3.5

One of the masterworks from one of the masters.

Imagine thinking Peter Gabreil is a "Sledgehammer." That's apparently the most popular song on the album and it's silly in how tough it tries to be. This might be the whitest music on the list. Mr. Gabriel is very talented, but the 80s synthesizers are a real vibe and it ain't mine.

I was a kid all over again listening to this.