Reviews (page 2 of 13)
More into his work in Genesis, but this is well cool too
Really good album
3 estrelas melhor musica foi mercy street
Fucking hell the songs are all twice as long as they should be. Also have not aged well
I've repeatedly enjoyed the Peter Gabriel (and Genesis) entries in the challenge, although I believe this is the last of them. Once again, he shows the knack for writing great melodies that are somehow catchy but rarely predictable. Walking the fine experimental/accessible line as he always seems to. The only downside to this one is how readily it takes on all the garish production elements of the 80s. Even Kate Bush gets in on the act. The upbeat numbers are good but there are some slow burners that really drag. I'll be continuing to dig into his back catalogue with interest but this one wasn't my favourite.
Välproducerad, men inte för mig
Listened before?: i was recently introduced to a few tracks from this album by my dad, but this will be a mostly new listen for me. i've heard Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, and In Your Eyes Red Rain - 5/5 Sledgehammer - 5/5 Don't Give Up - 5/5 That Voice Again - 4/5 In Your Eyes - 5/5 Mercy Street - 5/5 Big Time - 4/5 We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37) - 2/5 Average score: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i can't put into words the impact In Your Eyes had on me when i first listened to it a few weeks ago say what you will about the rest of the album, but if you hate In Your Eyes, something's legitimately wrong with you. i'm lowkey mad that i've gone so long without it on my radar, but i'm so glad i heard it. the production, that Youssou N'Dour feature at the end?? chef's kiss 🤌 kinda calling it early cuz i've yet to hear anything by Phil Collins (beside his musical contribution in The Lion King), but i think Peter Gabriel is better. maybe i'll be proven wrong someday, but i doubt it. i'll also have to wait til Graceland pops up as my album of the day to determine whether i think So should have won the Grammy
Lovely new moments mixed with the familiar hits (singles) we all know and love. Great background music for work and projects. Album Highlight: Don't Give Up, duet with Kate Bush.
Meer van genoten dan ik had gedacht. Duurde even voordat ik mezelf zover kon brengen om het album te luisteren maar ik ben er blij mee. 2 bangers
Such a tremendous artist.
It's solid 80s rock/pop, but I'm not a huge fan of that. Nice basslines though.
Did not love it. Not sure I'm returning to this one.
a dad album through and through. I get why people love it so much. Some deep lyricism, honest and truthful words.
Ein großartiges Album .
Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are certified bops.
gave me movie intro/ transition music vibes. probably liked big time the most or never give up but that one j felt so long. never ending
So groovy! There’s more to him than Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes.
I really like Sledgehammer and I found myself tapping my foot to Big Time. It's painfully 80's and I appreciate that so many have great nostalgic fondness for this record but it's just not for me.
I love Peter Gabriel, and these songs are beautiful. Great album.
Me gustó bastante, sirve para acompañar un rato de oficio ya que tiene un ritmo bueno, linda musicalidad. No había escuchado antes a este cantante. 4/5 estrellas.
L'intro est cool, le reste j'ai trouvé ça sympa sans plus. Ça me fait penser de fou à Police/Sting ou Phil Colins par moment. (Je viens de voir que Phil Colins était le batteur de Genesis après son départ donc ils ont un minimum de lien)
Mouais pas incroyable en vrai, ça manque de sel
After three bad albums in a row, this was a refreshing pull. Of course I'm gonna put Sledgehammer on the playlist.
Great album - I own it on vinyl. The music videos for Sledgehammer and Big Time are fond memories from when I was a kid in the 80s flipping cable channels. This album does get a little sleepy, but I still thoroughly enjoy it front to back.
Red Rain: Kinda just giving me basic 80s song vibes, I don’t mind it Sledgehammer: Funnily enough this is one of my all time favourite songs Don’t give up: I don’t really think I would listen to this again That voice again: I don’t mind this one but it’s just okay Mercy street: Boring… sorry Big time: A fun listen but very 80s We do what we’re told: Minimal lyrics, mostly an instrumental This is the picture: A little bit odd?? In your eyes: I don’t mind this one, my second favourite on the album OVERALL: Underwhelming, only a few decent songs. Sledgehammer is well and truely the standout
This is quintessential eighties music and a pretty good representation of the best it could be. Kate Bush showing up is just a bonus.
Buen álbum alto cantante
Love the voice but this album doesn’t quite live to 5 status.
So why is this worthy?
Min enda koppling till Peter Gabriel är att Vampire Weekend nämner honom i EN låt. I övrigt ett varken spännande eller tråkigt album, bara väldigt mycket 80-tal.
Crappy pop rock
sledgehammer is a BOP!! DNF but very enjoyable. some old ppl music is actually good.
Love this album since the day it released.
This album is good. Dense songs, but sometimes it is too repetitive.
I had been a Peter Gabriel fan since his days in Genesis, but with this album he was suddenly mainstream. I was lucky enough to catch him on the tour for this album, and it was spectacular. Every song on this album is fantastic, and while I'm usually careful to click the original album for my morning listen on Apple Music, today I absentmindedly clicked on the Expanded Edition and was treated to a bonus full live album from this tour. What a treat. If I could give this album 10 stars, I would.
Pretty good didn’t knock my socks off though
i liked it. Lowkey, love flaouvered album. Didnt really sound old.
I enjoyed this more than I expected. Reminded me a lot of Phil Collins, which is a good thing to me.
This album was really boring. Felt super generic 80’s pop….Huey Lewis and the New—esque. That is not a compliment. By no means is it bad, but not memorable in the slightest.
One of my absolute favourite albums. A classic.
Peter Gabriel is among my very favorite musicians, and I rate him among the list of geniuses of our time. This album is a case in point. He was pressured by the record company to produce some hits. He did it with ease. And they have staying power. But he also did it without compromising his artistic vision.
An absolute classic that reminds me of being young and still sounds incredible today There's not a single downside to this album. I love it
so much fun!!
Momentous as hell in the 80s with huge MTV hits, I wondered if it held up. And it mostly does: the quavering fragility with Kate Bush on "Don't Give Up", the weird performance art of "Excellent Birds" with Laurie Anderson; and Youssou N'Dour blowing the song open on "In Your Eyes". I couldn't push skip with my beat up cassette in 1986, but it's nice to not have to hear Big Time and Sledgehammer. Again.
Standing strong forty years later. In this era of collaborative songwriting, it’s amazing to see that Peter Gabriel wrote these songs pretty much on his own, except for the one with Laurie Anderson! They are built rock solid, poppy but not silly, very 80s but durable too. Maybe some would find the world music inflections cheesy or cringe; I think they work beautifully.
Sledgehammer is obviously the big song here. Peter Gabriel's voice doesn't really do it for me outside of the context of his big hits, and the other hits on here are a bit too slickly produced to work for me. But we'll always have Sledgehammer, an absolute bop.
Peter Gabriel is always a great listen
OK
muitas sonoridades interessantes!!! gostei do triângulo nas musicas red rain muito boa mas pqp desafio não repetir o titulo da musica dez milhões de vezes fica repetitivo demais e é algo que ele faz em quase Todas
Gostei desse. Gosto da voz dele. Álbum muito bem produzido e bem feito num geral. Não sei se me viciei em muitas músicas mas não nego a qualidade do álbum. Shoutout pro triângulo em Mercy Street #nordeste. O álbum cresceu em mim depois de ouvir algumas vezes. Destaques: - Red Rain - Sledgehammer - Mercy Street
i’d only ever heard sledgehammer before, which is okay in an 80’s sort of way i thought i would struggle with this. i was pleasantly surprised with how much i enjoyed the whole thing
It was decent. Had the 80s soundscape. Some songs were better than others. Would relisten to some not all
It’s a truly amazing album that gets better with each listen.
I saw P. Gabes perform in 2024 and it was so beautiful it moved me to tears. It was a concert for the history books.
What a pleasure to spend some time with Mr Gabriel.
I had heard of Peter Gabriel, but I’m ashamed to say that I thought most of these were Phil Collins for most of my life. Only ever heard them in stores or on the radio with no name attached. Luckily, I have a soft spot for Phil Collins thanks to Tarzan, so without knowing it I’ve grown very fond of Peter Gabriel through my life.
Like it
Gabriel finally produces more listenable songs for a wider fan base and becomes a superstar hitmaker.
Finally! A chance for me to sing the praises of my favourite podcast. Every Single Album recently did an album swap episode, where Nathan’s choice was this album. Now, I’d trust Nathan Hubbard with my life, especially after he correctly predicted both the new Harry Styles and the new Phoebe Bridgers albums last year. Anyway! It was a fun episode and would be a great companion to this album. I love Sledgehammer!! Also does anyone else remember the charity cover of Don’t Give Up that Nat Bassingthwaighte (darling of the Illawarra) and Shannon Noll did for bushfire relief? I think it’s the superior version of the song.
Sledgehammer!!!! One of the most iconic videos and so I was thrilled for that to come up. It does everything it needs to and is so catchy. Also very exciting hearing that Kate Bush feature and more great songs all around.
"Red Rain" is a pretty strong album opener. "Sledgehammer" isn't really my jam. It's a good album overall. Feels a bit nostalgic even though I never really listened to Peter Gabriel before. "Big Time" is a hard switch after "Mercy Street". Don't really love "We Do What We're Told" and really don't like "This Is the Picture." Hard not to skip. Can I just fast-forward through it to get through "In Your Eyes" please? And finally, "In Your Eyes" closes the album strong.
Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of Genisis when Phil Collins joined as the drummer. They do sound very much alike. I like their sound but listened to more Phil and Genisiss .
A classic for a reason. An experimental art-rock guy goes pop and succeeds basically on all measures. Probably the first album I personally think of when I think of the sound of the 80s.
Quite "So'so:
Reminds me of Phil Collins. I like the 80s instruments, but there is too much vocals for my taste (even though the vocals were good). The sledgehammer music video was delightfully ridiculous.
Very good front half, wish it continued that energy throughout it, sledgehammer is a banger tho
Worse than melt, but still very enjoyable. Sledgehammer and don't give up are the real highlights
nice album
Composition incroyable Style vraiment à part 5/9
love it
I gotta rewatch the Sledgehammer music video There’s a couple great tracks on here. Sledgehammer is such an awesome song; even ignoring how crazy good the music video is for that one, it’s so damn catchy and everything from the solos to the chorus are built to keep you invested. Big Time is fun too, got some great bass sound. I think he’s a pretty damn solid vocalist, where his vocals work on the funner higher energy songs and the more slow emotional songs as well. The variety’s solid on this one, I think he does a good job of breaking apart the album to make it feel fresh and new I do think the slower songs on this one (which is most of them) are just alright; not sure if we really needed Kate Bush on Don’t Give Up and Mercy Street is just kinda boring in my opinion. It sorta just feels Coldplay rejects at times; I don’t think he’s great at conveying negative emotions The one standout and the more than passable quality for the rest of the album make this a pretty solid 4 to me. Will probably listen to this one again, but would probably rather just put on Sledgehammer
Started off strong, kinda fell into the schlocky 80s cheese
There was always a sheen on Peter Gabriel's music, but here in the context of 80s maximalism and the influence of "worldbeat", it almost collapses on itself into parody. Almost. "Sledgehammer" and "In Your Eyes" have been played to death for me outside of the album's context, almost so much that I can't really focus on the rest of the album. But when I do, I can kinda get lost in its digital sheen. The more subdued and darker tracks like "Mercy Street", "Milgram's 37" and the digital exclusive "This is the Picture" caught my ear more than the other tracks. These tracks reminded me more of Vaporwave and New Age, darker, and more digital and ambient. The tracks that go for more emotional lyrics, like "Don't Give Up", "Red Rain", "That Voice Again", and "In Your Eyes" really go for emotional lyrics, but they fall flat for me.
Quintessentially 80s niet echt mijn ding. Saai en er gebeurt niet veel
I don't have the motivation to listen to the rest of the album. I liked the intro to sledgehammer
Upbeat and fun, love the energy and variety. Was originally at three stars but tempted to give 4 - and since we're positive today, 4* it is;)
Enjoyed this quite a bit, knew a few of them, have a soft spot for this sort of 80s vibe.
Wow. Well I gave Peter Gabriel’s debut a 1, I believe. I thought it was an amazing mess. I think I was pretty shocked by how bad I thought it was. This is SO, so much better. So. Peter CAN make a decent solo album. Almost want to go 4. I mean Sledgehammer. Big Time. In Your Eyes. And the in between songs are coherent and have a unified sound. Which rocks. So yeah. 4. 4 Boolean: True - SO, Peter
3.5. Some 4-5 material but it does drift. When it does drift, though, it does so inoffensively, so I’ll round up. Nonetheless, not as good as the other albums I’ve heard from him.
was für ein album! ich find es super. und das duett mit kate bush!
Ein sehr gelungenes Album
This was fine. It has some good songs but really didn't resonate with me at all. It has a production that is a bit over the top and grandiose but I don't believe it. I may just be jaded because I really don't love the 80s. Again something about the production of that time doesn't mesh with me.
I owned this at the time it was released. Didn't everybody? I remember liking it at the time. It's a good album, but was overplayed. Not something I feel like I need to hear again.
As 80s as possible. Долго слушал этот альбом, сложно выдать что-то негативное о нем, но заходит прям со скрипом, хоть звучит как довольно качественная попса. Пойдет. Топ-1 - Sledgehammer Топ-2 - Big time
literally phil collin’s
Big drums and bass sound from the 80s, fairlight synth sound similar to Kate Bush. Great album.
I liked it very much. The production is extremely 80s coded but still holds up and sounds amazing.
The first CD I ever bought. I was a metalhead and this album made me turn a corner in my love for many more genres of music. Oddly enough this was a gateway album for me to early Genesis.
Outside of having only a passing knowledge of Peter Gabriel when this album came out—remember, people, I was 11 that year—I didn’t seek out So until I had enough of my own money to start digging into artists’ back catalogs. This was back in the glorious days of ordering albums through Columbia House. (I only found out this week that Columbia House was somehow still in business in 2026 before finally closing its doors. RIP, Columbia House.) Peter Gabriel’s So was a cultural phenomenon in 1986, churning out hit after hit while dominating MTV with some of the most creative music videos I had ever seen—and still have. It’s almost difficult to comprehend that “Red Rain,” “Sledgehammer,” “Mercy Street,” “Big Time,” and “In Your Eyes” all came from the same record. This was Peter Gabriel at his peak, successfully melding his art-rock sensibilities with accessible pop music without sacrificing what made him interesting in the first place. And while I just listened to Tina Turner’s Private Dancer from 1984 a couple of days ago thanks to the random album generator, the comparison is interesting. Private Dancer feels very much like an album from the 1980s, while So somehow manages to sound almost completely untouched by time. I have a hard time imagining anyone putting together a must-listen-before-you-die list and leaving this record off it. So isn’t merely a great 1980s album; it’s one of those records that feels essential to understanding just how good pop music could be when an artist was willing to take some chances. I’m not sure what you’re going to do with the rest of your day, but after revisiting this 1980s gem, I’ll be rummaging through Peter Gabriel’s discography once again, looking for the albums that aren’t on this list that probably should be.
This is a solid engaging album. Some of the slower songs kind of drag things down, but this is still a fantastic album
So... totally... PG
Other than "Mercy Street" (too long and quiet), this album is one of my absolute favorites. Re-listened just to make sure and, yeah, still a favorite. I could listen to "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" any time, "Don't Give Up" is still hauntingly beautiful with Kate Bush's vocals, and "In Your Eyes" (which I didn't like much before) is thrilling at the end of all of it. Great songs, amazing production, remembered why I love Peter Gabriel's music in the first place. (5/5)
The best tracks are the two where he collaborates with women and the worst are the two pop hits. A good record with moments of greatness.
added a couple of them to my liked songs. Its almost short enough to be an EP but it still has a consistent vibe
Non il mio genere
Strong start with 2 straight bangers Lots of cool beats and ideas in the album but lots of middle fluff Still overall really solid
Some great music, track order was a rollercoaster tho
Surprisngly enjoyable! Sledgehammer is a bop and childish at the same time. But overall, a great album.
80s nerds must have exploded over that Kate Bush duet
So hits with this clean, confident snap—every track feels like Gabriel knows exactly what he’s doing and dares you not to feel something. It’s tight, bold, and way more emotionally charged than an album this smooth has any right to be.
Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this.
Some not so unpleasant tunes on here but nothing to convert me into a fan. Very much middle of the road, not as bad as I had expected.
iha jees, ei j''ny erityisesti mieleen
This record is full of wonderful songs. Peter Gabriel's a fantastic singer. I also loved the song with Kate Bush, a nice surprise. Why this isn't a 5/5 for me is just the production. It's produced wonderfully, but 80s records have that distinct sound that I just cannot stand. The over-the-top gated reverb and 80s synthesizers really get on my nerves quickly, tbh.
I actually really enjoyed this album! Has hits like "In Your Eyes" and "Sledgehammer"
Some heavy hitters on here. Sledgehammer?! Come on! Sounds like Genesis. I then learned Peter Gabe was in Genesis. Stewart Copeland played JUST the hi hat on Red Rain which is funny. I WANNA BE!!!! YOUR SLEDGEHAMMER!!
That was really good
On repeat in my 5-disc player since 1989.
FUCK, I needed to be in an 80s film, with this album as the soundtrack. In fact, if I was in a movie, the soundtrack would consist solely of this album, "Hats" by The Blue Nile, "The Sensual World" by Kate Bush, and "The Wrong People" by Furniture. I'm literally always in the mood for Peter Gabriel, I'm always going to enjoy this style of music, I'm always going to rate it a 5/5. Nuff said.
1 hit then a lot of spoken word rubbish
Ehh
I really like his voice and he has some vibey songs! My favorite songs were sledgehammer and big time.
Idk its alright the last 3 were shit tho. I loved Big Time and obv sledgehammer is a good song so 3.
Really great record. His voice is awesome, the one two punch of sledgehammer and don't give up is up there with the best!
What classics are on this album. Beautiful!
Ass
Loved it. Perfect album. Had only heard Sledgehammer and Don't Give Up for the Kate Bush feature. Not an artist I'd explored much but this is pure 80s excellence.
Very good, fun album.
A name I'm familiar with but don't know if I'd be able to tell you he's the guy who sung Sledgehammer. There's something that catches my attention in "We do what we're told" and "This is the picture", but then spotify autopalyed talking heads and I listened to that instead.
Wonderful record - I always have to listen twice in a row when listening to Peter Gabriel but then it just clicks
Ok some of these absolutely belt. And others are so slow. Like that opener. What’s going on there
Gjennomsyret 80-talls og jeg digger det.
Sorry men i skjønne bare ikke greia. Klarer ikke å like den her type 80 talls sound. Anerkjenner at det e bra, men klarer ikke å like det.
Er ikke så fan av sånn 80-/90-talls flinkis pop med panfløyter og world-music inspo. Men må si at dette er et solid album.
Et par gode sanger, men det hviler noe traust over hele greia.
Surprised how much I liked it! Great combination of pop, rock and soul! Also, elements of African and Brazilian stylesthat I liked!
I had this on vinyl as a teenager and listened to it countless times. It was the first time I’d heard Kate Bush’s voice. Don’t Give Up moved me so much. I could listen to In Your Eyes every day and I would never stop loving it. It’s intimately connected to my teenage crush on Lloyd Dobler.
This is a great album.
Let's just say that in "Sledgehammer", he's not actually talking about a sledgehammer...
I thought the vocals on the first track were really great. Album clearly draws inspiration from a ton of places. This kind of solo work never really grabs my attention beyond the surface level however.
6.8. 1:30 ujutro dok sam mislila da se roketa haha rocket raketa roketa tek treba zabiti u mjesec ali se vec zabila jucer (tako kazu) ispred kuce sjedim tako da mi legistremije zaklanjaju lampu koja mi ide u oci kako gledam mjesec sa vrata desna strana vrta ispod japanke na desno mi je po dijagonali tocno kut kuce na kojem je tabla s adresom // album kako ide dalje postaje bolji pre pop za mene 6/10
Woah... Cool ☺️ Thank you
Starts strongly, but falls off HARD. So many of these are such boring songs, and a few of them are SO long.
Meh. He was in Genesis
Jesus Christ here we go again with Peter Gabriel bro. How many albums are we gonna get on here that give me PTSD to sitting in my mom’s car in the early 2000’s. For being such a dynamically produced album, it amazes me still how lifeless it can still feel. But I guess it just comes down to taste right? Idk I just hate this overdone, overly processed, hospital light ass music. To be fair, there’s plenty of stuff I like in the 80’s that implements this, but that stuff does it in more of a tongue in cheek way. Idk I’ve never been a Gabriel fan at all either, that isn’t doing any favors. Overall, this is just boring music to me. I’ve got no stand out tracks and I won’t be revisiting. Praying for no more Gabriel.
Peter creates an RnB landscape that feels interesting and unique. He adds soulful singing with incredible instrumentals to an other boring album cover seriously what a crazy switch up but the album cover is more than boring it’s the first time Peter has shown his face truly embracing the pop landscape and what a change this feels like direct inspiration for the Lion King even. I really enjoy even the somber moments like mercy street. This is great Peter Gabriel put out some heat in may 1986 showing that white boys got style and then PAUL SIMON came later and solidified it that same year. MR JAMBO THE LOVE YOU SEEK
Loved it!
This is one of the first CDs I ever received from my parents on Christmas morning in 1987 along with my first CD player. So, this album has a lot of nostalgic memories for me. But, it is an amazing album front to back and a great place to start for people who want to explore Peter Gabriel’s music further.
Sledgehammer alone is worth 5 stars! And Big Time is so great! ★★★★★
Gabriel liefert ein starkes, eigenwilliges Album, das zwischen Art‑Pop, Weltmusik und technischer Präzision pendelt. Die Produktion ist messerscharf, seine Stimme trägt diese Mischung aus Wärme und Exzentrik, die nur er hinkriegt. „Sledgehammer“ ist ein Monster von einem Hit – aber eben auch der einzige Moment, der wirklich in Richtung Perfektion schießt. Der Rest bleibt klug, kreativ, manchmal großartig, aber nicht ganz auf 5‑Sterne‑Niveau.
I always liked Sledgehammer but didn't expect this album to be so full of bangers. EXCELLENT BIRDS.
White boy got grooves.
Pre Listen: The album title and artist's name are unfamiliar to me, but stupidly enough I recognize the album cover as the one to "Sledgehammer" since I got that one in my playlist already. I guess I'm interested in seeing what else is from this album, since I always thought Sledgehammer was a 1-hit wonder. Notable Tracks: Sledgehammer - Yup, that's the classic right here. That intro is iconic and goofy as hell. Don't Give Up - Probably my least favorite track on here. It's too long, and while I appreciate Kate Bush's voice, it's just too cheesy for me. Mercy Street - I like this one as well. The soft synth is nice, and the harmonies are also nice. Adding to playlist. Big Time | In Your Eyes - I had no idea both of these hits were Peter Gabriel either. Classics, both of these as well. Post Listen: I did not expect so many bangers on this album. What the helly! I'll be adding quite a few of these songs on to my playlist, Peter's vocals are consistently good, and he demonstrates great range as well. There's a great variety of sounds from the songs in here as well, although it's such a variety the overall theme of the album ends up being somewhat unfocused. The hits are great, but there's a few songs on here too that are pretty bland, forgettable, or cheesy. That all said, listening to this album made me feel like a protagonist in an 80's action/comedy family movie. 4/5
Really thought this was gonna be a 5 but the B-side was a little lackluster. I love Peter Gabriel and Sledgehammer is one of my favorite songs in general so I went in with high expectations. It’s all very good, but I expected a little better.
Very accessible synth pop album. There aren’t any areas of this album that feel weaker than other parts. It is just solid track after track. Fun rhythms and great melodies made this whole thing enjoyable. I can’t help but feel a massive influence on The Weeknd’s After Hours from this project, specifically “In Your Eyes”.
More my vibe than I thought it would be.
if Phil Collins had a son didn’t like this one
Holy shit, I’ve never really listened to this album. Peter Gabriel was always just a ubiquitous fixture of the 80s. The opening track “Red Rain” is an absolute revelation. The dark and jagged atmosphere, the lyrics, the layered drums, the almost growl like signing; it’s all just incredible. It’s becoming one of my favorite songs of all time. “Sledgehammer” is a song every one recognizes instantly and is one of those songs that’s impossible not dance to. As popular as it was, it’s my least favorite song on the album. Its location on the album is jarring. Jammed between two beautiful and quiet ballads. It breaks up the flow. I feel like it’s best served on a different album. “Don’t Give Up” the bass lines driving this song are just enough to get your head bobbing. The beautiful synths and Kate Bush’s melodious whisper is a wonderful addition to this hushed ballad. “Mercy Street” what can I say here? Another flawless gem on a flawless album. His singing is otherworldly. His ability to drive a song without being over bearing is amazing. His range is incredible and the softness he can lay you down on. This song is just beautiful. “In your Eyes” what a way to close out an album. A cool autumn night with the windows down. A rain soaked street. Neon reflections. A low moon. This song on repeat. What a fucking album
To me, this is Peter Gabriel in optima forma. He kept just enough of his unique style, but managed to make an album that is easy to listen to, but still rich in styles en themes.
[4/5] art pop. every song is interesting and he blends themes quite well. new instruments unlocked as well. track notes: 1. the sky is bleeding 2. we just giving away constellations now. funky guitar 3. i was hesitant reading the lyrics but this was done really well 4. big n punchy 5. like i am participating in a witch dance. the cling ring noise reminds me of something 6. music video is as interesting as the beat 7. dark spooky eerie beep beep 8. government drone propaganda 9. oh it’s this song!
This was so 80s, but in a good way? Big Time feels so 80s but it works. Similarly Sledgehammer is such a great song. its one of those songs that shouldn’t be a pop song but is. In Your Eyes has that worldly feel to it that the likes of Peter Gabriel, David Bryne and not many others can pull off. All in all this album feels dated but not really in a bad way because PG is so good at his craft. It’s a time capsule that’s cool to find and open up once in a while.
A damn fine lp. 4.5/5.
Unpopular opinion but I actually found ‘sledgehammer’ not to be the best track on the album, but I fully accept that is my personal opinion and not universal, yes it was good but so were ‘Red rain’ ‘this is the picture’ and ‘that voice again’ they are all very good tracks however two tracks on the album are absolutely sublime in my opinion. ‘Don’t give up’ which also features and I hope I’m not wrong as I’ve not checked but I think it’s Kate Bush… if not she still Sounds spectacular! and ‘in your eyes’ *** Wasn’t a fan of ‘we do what we’re told’ or ‘big time’ Will certainly be listening again. Worst track- ‘we do what we’re told’ Best track- toss up between ‘don’t give up’ and ‘ in your eyes’ probably the latter today. Probably the former tomorrow! 9/10 just lost marks due to the 2 tracks I wasn’t keen on.
Peter Gabriel - So The commercial one. The one where Peter proved he can do whatever the fuck he wants. And if the label wants hits, he'll give them hits and then they can piss off again. The first release where he said alright then, I'll give it a bloody title, after 4 albums all identically labelled 'Peter Gabriel'. And what a magnificent way to prove your point. Red Rain. A huge open wide expanse of an opener. A blood red sky of a song, the hi-hat of Stuart Copeland providing liquid musical droplets. We can all imagine ourselves, arms wide-open being drenched as that chorus sounds out. Sledgehammer. A recording session afterthought, amazingly capture in just 2 or 3 takes and the polished to pop perfection. We've all heard it a hundred times, yet you will hear something new in it every time. And one of the best lyrics about banging the missus ever 😏 Don't Give Up. Wonder if it would have had quite the same emotional pull if Dolly had agreed to record it, as Peter wanted. Then we wouldn't have the achingly fragile, but loving, treasuring vocal from Kate that we do. The most tender of arrangements. A perfect song. That Voice Again. The weakest song on the album IMO. Don't always listen to the voice in your head. Mercy Street. Quintessential Gabriel. Sparse, brooding, a lyric that drags you into his head, and into his story. As much a texture as a song, it just washes over you. Big Time. What a banger! The bass played with drumsticks, and Stuart Copeland's chopped up drums drive it along. And a massive big 'fuck you' lyric. We Do What We're Told. A metronomic reminder of what insignificant cogs in the machine we are. And we bring it all upon ourselves. Apparently there's a very grim mix of this somewhere with crying children all over it 😬 This is the Picture. A bit of a throwback to the sound of earlier albums where Gabriel flirted with a new-wave feel. Apparently from another project and then 'air dropped' into So. And whilst it sounds like it, I love the idea of loads of Johnny-come-lately fans reaching for the skip button. In Your Eyes. The perfect closer (although not on the vinyl which always puzzled me). We had the wide open world waiting on front on track, but now we're back to the intimacy of family and home, and the reminder that all seek, and all we really need, is often closer than we realise. A melody and rhythm the catches in step with great lollopping strides of optimism. And just as it is done Youssou N'dour gracefully flies in to remind us that this need is universal. All you need is love...as John would have said. Best Track - Don't Give Up Worst Track - That Voice Again 9/10
didn't like it
The high points of this one are up there, and the rest is pretty middle of the road. It is definitely a good record and one that deserves a nod on this list. If nothing else, the music videos for Sledgehammer and Big Time were unforgettable and worth a revisit for any listeners not familiar.
V good
Wasn't quite like what I expected, yet I was definitely intrigued by it! Would maybe revisit and a few tracks are going into rotation including In Your Eyes which I believe is in Say Anything, a film I really like!
I have nothing negative to say about this album. It's powerful with a good mix of upbeat and emotional songs, plus it has Kate Bush on it. Five stars.
It's ok, better than expected from the first song
2.5 - Inoffensive but not super interesting.
Was ok
great songs, great voice
nunca ouvi um disco que realmente me fizesse sentir absolutamente nada. nem raiva, desgosto, prazer ou alegria. apenas nada. música de fundo.
One of my favorites back in the day
For Gen X Nostalgia I have no idea who Peter Gabriel was supposed to be. On trying to discover it through So, I found a very 80s album... overproduced pop, synth, slap bass, digital reverb etc etc. All very much of the time. And weirdly, the whole thing is so white (?). The gentrification of traditional instruments from other cultures just for reviews to praise Gabriel using "ethnic" tools rubs me the wrong way. You can hear the appropriation of Africana music on "In Your Eyes" for sure. But that's a smaller comment. Overall, I miss some kind of humor. It's all so serious and I don't feel any fun. It's decent 80s popslop. Hyperpalatable. But nothing here is particularly moving. I don't like the sterile feel of it. There aren't even any curse words here. "Red Rain" instantly gave me an understanding of what this album was gonna be. The song itself is pretty energetic, yet melancholic. Pretty good just not for me. Love the drums and synths. Good background song for driving or studying. Bit too repetitive. 6/10. "Sledgehammer" is so stereotypically 80s that it actually kind of hurts. Cheesy is the word. Preys on the nostalgia for 60s black RnB for sure. 5/10. "Don't Give Up" is much slower. Kind of nice but still very 80s. Haunting duet. Love the woman's voice but it's too slow for me. Cool bassline at the end. 5/10. "That Voice Again" is the worst perpetrator of the 80s sound so far. It really has to do with how everyone switched to synth and that type of bass at the same time. Cool hi-hats and drumming though. 4/10. "Mercy Street" is kind of, folkish? very atmospheric. I like the flutes. Probably my favorite so far. Doesn't sound too 80s until the synth comes in. 5-6/10. "Big Time" is catchy but feels more like a product of its era than anything timeless. Flashy production but little to no substance. This song makes me sick. It's so 80s. 4/10. "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" is a weird interlude. Actually kind of pretty. Makes me nostalgic for something. I enjoy. 5-6/10. "This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds)" ...wtf are these lyrics. What is going on. 3/10. "In Your Eyes"... the chord structure is very familiar. The song itself sounds familiar too. Can hear the appropriation of Africana music for sure. 5/10 Decent variety but nothing here is particularly moving. Sounds very 80s and that's about it. Not anything I would really want to listen to very consistently. Rating: 5.5/10
30% buenos temas de pop rock, 70% mid
A really good album first 3 songs are all great and as whole such a great sounding album
Lo escuché pero no escribí, así que este soy yo desde el futuro escribiendo esto. No me acuerdo nada.
It's a nice, groovy album, but it didn't really hook me in very much as the 80s prpduction and the vocals got quite boring to me. Sorry, I'm busy at the moment and really don't have much more to say about this.
I was hopeful to find some.deep cuts I didn't know, because the hits I like, especially Sledgehammer, nothing wrong with the rest of the album, but nothing that stood out either.
I’ve never enjoyed Peter Gabriel’s music, where potentially beautiful melodies get smothered by excessive production, like over-processed cheese. Kate Bush’s performance is as beautiful as you would expect, so So gets an extra star from me.
Immediately I'm left with the feeling that this is a 5 star album. It starts off with that overproduced 80s Rock feeling and stays consistent with that. Unofrutanly he dives into some 80s electronic ramblings towards the end which makes me pull my rating down a 1/2 point. Sledgehammer, Big Time and In Your Eyes are all time greats for me. So much larger than life... 4.5 (rounded up!)
I got through life without ever listening to him, and this marks the first time I've ever heard the famous Sledgehammer from start to finish. I did not like it.
Recognized a song or two. Was enjoyable.
overwhelming confluence of an artist's commercial peak with, if not The artistic peak, certainly one of them. even within the boundaries of its own palate, it rly doesn't embarrass itself next to more overtly Adventurous records like his infamous third self titled...this is certainly still a record full to the brim with white hot creativity, curiosity about the possibilities of the studio, and more than anything big juicy Expressiveness where gabriel is Acting the songs every bit as much as singing them. literally every track has some distinctive quality that lodges in my brain immediately, whether its a "pop" song (bangers and ballads both) or a more atmospheric excursion. and those two categories dont at all have mutually exclusive strengths, the whole thing is awash in vivid melody writing and more than anything that beautifully enveloping Cathedral effect that is near-exclusive to the best pop music of the 1980s. i might just be a bit emotionally sensitive today (a couple of these almost made me cry), but idk i think this does just speak to a lot of the place-taking, world-swallowing, creatively eclectic priorities that generally speak to me in a full length pop album. like stepping out into the wind and the rain.
Art pop and pop rock built from polished synthesizers, expressive percussion, tasteful guitars, and warm vocals feels like walking through a beautifully designed modern home where every room is impeccably furnished but decorated in much the same style—you appreciate the craftsmanship, yet your attention gradually drifts. The album's polished production and understated vocal delivery create a consistently calm atmosphere, but for me the emotional restraint, occasionally preachy tone, and limited instrumental variation made it increasingly difficult to stay engaged. Its themes of connection and humanity are sincere, yet the music rarely generated enough contrast or urgency to bring them fully to life.
The debate about whether an all time best song can make an album great continues
Nice album, I dont have much to say, the best song is by far "Dont Give Up", rest is pretty good
No comments.
So Peter Gabriel 1986 Genres: Rock, Pop Styles: Art Rock, Soft Rock, Pop Rock, Synth Pop 1. Red Rain (★★★⯨☆) - Contexto: Inspirada en un sueño recurrente de Gabriel. Habla de culpa, purificación y de un mundo emocional que necesita limpiarse tras el sufrimiento. La "lluvia roja" funciona como una poderosa metáfora más que como un hecho literal. 2. Sledgehammer (★★★★★) - Contexto: Una explosión de funk, soul y humor. Utiliza imágenes de un martillo demoledor como metáfora del deseo sexual, la vitalidad y la necesidad de romper con la rutina para volver a sentirse vivo. -Fav 3. Don't Give Up (★★★★☆) - Contexto: Dúo con Kate Bush. Narra la desesperación de un hombre que perdió su trabajo mientras una voz cercana le recuerda que todavía conserva su dignidad y que no debe rendirse. Es una de las canciones más emotivas del álbum. 4. That Voice Again (★★★★☆) - Contexto: Trata sobre la conciencia moral. Esa "voz" representa el conflicto interno entre hacer lo correcto o dejarse llevar por impulsos, culpas y contradicciones. 5. Mercy Street (★★★★★) - Contexto: Inspirada en la poeta estadounidense Anne Sexton. Explora la fragilidad emocional, los sueños, la búsqueda de paz y el deseo de escapar del sufrimiento psicológico. -Fav 6. Big Time (★★★★★) - Contexto: Una sátira feroz del consumismo y la obsesión por el éxito económico. El narrador presume de querer ser rico y famoso hasta el absurdo, burlándose de la cultura materialista. -Fav 7. We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37) (★★★★★) - Contexto: Basada en los experimentos de Stanley Milgram sobre la obediencia a la autoridad. Reflexiona sobre cómo personas comunes pueden cometer actos terribles simplemente porque alguien con poder se los ordena. -Fav 8. This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) (★★★⯨☆) - Contexto: Colaboración con Laurie Anderson. Construye un collage surrealista de imágenes, tecnología y comunicación, más cercano a una pieza experimental que a una canción pop tradicional. 9. In Your Eyes (★★★★★) - Contexto: Una declaración de amor que también funciona como búsqueda espiritual. La otra persona aparece como fuente de luz, comprensión y trascendencia. La participación de Youssou N'Dour aporta un cierre de inspiración africana que amplía aún más el sentido universal de la canción. -Fav -TOTAL = ★★★★⯨ (4,56)
This album brought me back to phil collins
Po, gostei bastante, é um anos 80 com personalidade diferenciada. Bem bão.
19. jul 2026. 17.51h kao it was ok best: mercy street
vanguardista, inspiración
Lion king ahh music
This album is goated
Not great. This is like some boring soft rock crap, maybe adult contemporary. There are a couple okay songs like Sledgehammer and Big Time but the rest is real bad.
Peter Gabriel is the GOAT. Also In Your Eyes is my favorite song, could play it on repeat. So good
I prefer PG's earlier solo work Fav track: We Do What We're Told
A: Det var återigen... bra musik...??? Hur??? Och ännu till efter Dire Straits??? Hur???? Gillade nästan hela labumet helt otroligt mycket. Måste lyssna om och laga någon mashup spellista med "So" och "Dire Straits"... En väldigt positiv överraskning och perfekt matlagnings-köksdansnings-musik. Can't believe men 5/5. D: Med tanke på basic format lyckades den sticka ut väldigt mycket. Innehöll många intressanta stycken. Tycker alla män med gitarr/andra banala instrument borde bara sluta försöka om de inte har något bättre att komma med. 4/5
I thought I wouldn’t like this album, and I was right, boring pop.
It wasn’t unpleasant to listen to but too 80s.
Correct mais c’est pas mon vibe pref
This Is The Album (Excellent Songs)
The album definitely has that 80’s gloss and shimmer but there’s no denying that this is an artist at work using the tools of the time. Some great songs and typically Gabriel. 4
The sound of my adolescence scored by the radio. Beach days, pool days. The reason I hate synthesizers and the reason I’m a sucker for synthesizers. Sometimes I find his lyrics goofily earnest and then I remember I am too. I make a joke: “Peter Gabriel is god and Phil Collin’s is the devil and that’s why that band was called Genesis.” But I don’t hate Phil or think Peter’s a god. A minor deity, maybe. Definitely a creature of light from a higher plane. Much higher than strained self-effacement. Red Rain - “Fuck you I’m starting my first big pop record wailing about the environment hee hee.” That two bar refrain can get stuck in your head and fuck you up, man. Sledgehammer - I could be your anything and everything. Don’t Give Up - Golden Boy picks up the bullied nerd and dusts him off and Kate Bush is there smiling. That Voice Again - The Golden Boy realizes he IS the nerd. Mercy Street - Feels personal. Or maybe it’s all in Anne’s head. You, me, everything. Big Time - “Ha ha I’m so famous now. Permanently stuck between satirist and satirized.” A fucking BOP. We Do What We’re Told - Yes, we do. For better and worse. This Is The Picture - A meditation. A hint at why there are so many paintings of birds. With Laurie Anderson’s breathy accompaniment and tinkling percussion. In Your Eyes - Say anything. A perfect record.
Your typical 80s album and doesn't really distinguish itself from the rest. I guess its either not my thing or i am simply not old enough to appreciate it. Still i guess a huge 80s music fan could love it easily.
Great pop album
And one could argue that this isn’t even his best album. Don’t miss out on his third album. Truly one of the few musicians worthy of the title of “artist”. I was born too late for the Beatles, but right on time for this guy.
Sure, it doesn't sound bad, but it's also very boring. There are far better albums from the 80s.
Peter Gabriel is Dave Matthews favorite singer. The video for Sledgehammer was awesome. Kate Bush...what can't she ruin? Just kidding, Don't Give Up is not very good before she sings a note. I always liked Big Time. It's a hard album to rate. There are a couple of enjoyable singles and a bunch of weird stuff outside that. In Your Eyes is a great song, and produced the super iconic moment with the trench coat and boombox.
Worldbeat. There is only a word that can describe such a perfect and beautiful album like this one, and it's that exact word. Many people will relate more to Peter Gabriel from his carrer as vocalist on Genesis but this is the album from his solo catalogue that makes you realize he was going always for more. Heavily influenced by Traditional brazilian and African music, and with songs that ranges from Sledgehammer that introduces the use of a Shakuhachi, the japanese bamboo flute and the drums by Manu Katche, the famous french-ivorian drummer to the iconic duet with Kate Bush on Don't Give Up and including a love song like In Your Eyes which introduces the Senegalese musician Youssouf N'Dior singing on his native language, Wolof you can tell exactly what Mr. Gabriel tries to bring to the table which such a variety of sounds and this eclectic mix of cultures. The fact that he manages to produce such a record, so easy to listen with a well crafted convergence of influences from all around the globe makes it a gem that everyone should listen not only as an introduction to his carreer but to world music itself.
I like the hypnotic, calm songs, but the poppier ones less so; all in all, a solid album.
The importance of this album in my life cannot be overstated. I was just the right age when this came out to be forming my own opinions about music and I loved this album. I didn’t “get” it all at the time, but as my parents played this on repeat for years, it wormed its way into my subconscious and defined the way o would perceive music for life. Aided by the genre-defining “videos”, a novel medium that had just started to stretch its legs in ‘86, the singles became ubiquitous but every song on here is a masterpiece of pop music. From the undeniable strength and drive of Red Rain to one of the greatest live songs of all time, In Your Eyes, ever track is a new and unique look at what pop music can be all delivered with unbreakable earnestness by one of the greatest singers of our generation. A total hit. On a personal side note relating to the earnestness of the songs, I have sought this album out in my adult life numerous times just to revisit Don’t Give Up because I find it one of the most uplifting songs in a dark time that I have ever heard.
I have a complicated relationship with Peter Gabriel’s music. I like some of his Genesis era stuff but I prefer post-Gabriel Genesis overall because he had a tendency to want to fill every empty space of their songs with vocals. Anyway, So is a well written, produced, and executed record. My one criticism is Red Rain drags on a little too long.
3.5. Two classics and a couple other good ones.
Repeat listen
Tää oli kiva. Ja tosi hyvin tehty äänitys, kuulosti kaikin puolin hyvältä.
Tykkäsin Gabrielista 👌🏼 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a great album. The musicianship and songwriting are so good.
Some good tracks off this album, but the entire album blended together. nothing memorable
Inventive and cool with just enough weirdness.
Die is die eerste keer dat ek hierdie ou se musiek luister en dit gaan definitief nie die laaste keer wees nie. Rerig goed ek is nie lief vir 80s musiek nie maar elke song was good. Ek like
Decent variety but nothing here is particularly moving.
So commenters said Ozzy was a huge fan of this album interestingly. As for me, it is not really my kind of music, and peter gabriel tends to blend all together for me. The little flute part on Sledgehammer into the final part was cool. I'm Your Eyes was the only one I had heard much before from radio, and it isn't even one that I'm that close to. Peter Gabriel music has a beautiful quality to it and it's not bad, but I still struggle with it.
I'm pasting in the bulk of my review of Madonna's Ray of Light here: "by the 2/3 mark I was so ready for it to be over. It felt very much like I already got what was going on and we were just dragging it on at that point. Didn't help that each track was like 5-6 minutes apiece without a ton of variation sonically."
I'm feeling generous giving this a 2. It was not good but I'm clearly not the intended audience so someone must appreciate it
Stockholm Syndrome: I’ve got to give it points for the sheer amount of time I found myself exposed to this album. An innovative pop album that has not aged well.
This is the sound of someone letting their guard down - which is an odd thing to say about a self-consciously commercial mid-career pop record. But in Gabriel's case it's true, because it was seemingly his guardedness that was keeping him from making this sort of record up to this point. Gone, mostly, are the intellectualist exercises that marked much of his prior work, replaced in large part by pure and sentimental (in the best way) expressions of love and longing. "In Your Eyes" is the headliner here but there are signs of his new openness throughout; "I come to you, defenses down, with the trust of a child," he sings on the opener "Red Rain," as if to signal a different era for himself. And I'm willing to excuse a bit of seeming dismissiveness in the lyrics of "Don't Give Up" on account of both (a) its good intentions and (b) the fact that it's Kate Bush singing them. Those heartfelt moments don't mean Gabriel has become banal either; he's still a keen observer - but here he wraps his observations in pop coating rather than the New Wave abrasiveness of *Security* et al. "Big Time" is a fun satire of Eighties excess, and arguably "Sledgehammer" is also - a winking succession of phallic metaphors from a guy who nobody knew could tell a joke (or take one) before this. Having already proven throughout his career that he's the smartest in the room, Gabriel sounds liberated here - to the point that the resurfacing of his old, paranoid persona on "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" feels like a bit of a relapse. That's not to knock his earlier work, which I'm a fan of - but it is to say that this collection as a whole does something very different, and refreshing.
Fun, very 80s, romantic ish, handsome man. Approved.
Great álbum so complete it brings a lot to this genre
After several albums that left him as a respected niche performer, this is the moment when Gabriel launched into the stratosphere. Every song on here is an absolute winner, from the radio friendly Sledgehammer right through to the experimental (We do what we're told) and the Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson collaborations. Mercy Street and In Your Eyes are very beautiful and Big Time is just plain funny. A bit of everything and all of it good.
highlight songs: red rain don't give up 2/9 songs i liked not my type of album genre
It's decent but kinda boring - not a bad sound but nothing new or interesting. Shelved 5/9, but then decided to try 2 of them in fresh loop.
Fine
Top 80s!
Although sledgehammer is amazing, the rest of the album is mostly just 80s generic pop. 6/10
So has a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde vibe to it. It offers up some of the greatest songs of the 1980s (and arguably, all time), while shoring them up with weird new age tracks that don't match the sound or flow of the aforementioned songs. What fans at the time didn't know is that Peter Gabriel was soon to leave the pop hooks behind and embrace that new age style full-time, make him more of an acquired taste than a MTV mainstay. Hindsight makes the listen less frustrating than it was in the 80s, but I still can't help but wonder how good So could have been if Gabriel had chosen one stylistic path for the record.
p562. 1986. 5 stars. Proof that 80s synths can produce great music. Not a weak track on this. And "Mercy Street" is possibly the best song Gabriel has ever written.
So very 80's! Holy schmole. There are some grooves on this album, and also many quiet moments. I think I enjoyed this. Sledge--hammah! Thank you!
Amazing. Knew him from the singles, had never heard the full album before.
A pretty good listen that starts well with a strong trio with Red Rain, Sledgehammer, and the Kate Bush-featuring Don’t Give Up. Those are probably the most forceful and lively songs that have the album at its most engaging. That energy is lost a bit in the second half though as things slow down, and the album sounds a bit more dated. Enough for 4*, just about.
Peter Gabriel moves in a more pop direction after a few great and more experimental records like 1980's Peter Gabriel 3. The move definitely pays off for the most part. 'Sledgehammer' is a timeless banger, and 'That Voice Again' and 'Big Time' are my other personal favourites. The album veers into slightly weirder territory with 'We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)' which provides an interesting and welcoming contrast with the more pop-oriented tracks.
This album exhibits the marriage of Gabriel’s arty/prog roots with a quintessentially 80s pop sound, clearly a push for mainstream commercial success, but still sonically adventurous. The wonderful ballad and Kate Bush duet ‘Don’t Give Up’, the incredibly 80s-sounding ‘Big Time’, and the all-time classic ‘Sledgehammer’ (fantastic vocal by the way) are probably my favourites in the poppier vein, while the moody, atmospheric ‘Mercy Street’, the unsettling and almost minimalist ‘We Do What We’re Told’ and the strange, hard-to-describe (but good!) ‘This Is the Picture’ being my favourite of the more experimental numbers. I enjoyed this one a lot.
solo peter gabriel hey will it be as weird as i expect 💥red rain 💥sledgehammer 💥mercy street 💥in your eyes
Pretty pop and relatively straight, but still interesting.
INspring
def an album of that time but the instruments are really nice and i like some of the songs. def a completely diff vibe than what i am used to. some songs i prob will never listen again but it feels like im in 1980 america, i get it actually. also, these songs are a lot longer than im used to, they have build up, fade out, introduction of instruments before vocals, very standard musical procedures songs i added to album: red rain
Kinda pinnacle 80s album here, with the 80s classics "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" that are definitional sounds of the time - and the two songs that I might like least, because I don't like those sounds so much: the huge drums and vaguely funky borrowed-from-Africa bass. But the other songs work really really well with the 80s Lanois sound. "Red Rain," "Don't Give Up" and "In Your Eyes" are the kind of era-defining 80s classics that make me look back fondly on the time. So, era and genre-defining means it probably has to be on lists. If you didn't already know what 80s MTV pop sound like, this is the gateway that should make its best impression. For me, 4/5.
- Interesting and unique sound. - Don’t agree with Apples definition of this being rock, maybe some songs like Sledgehammer, but not all. - Suprising to see Kate Bush on this album - Some songs are a bit too slow for my liking, makes me sleepy instead of interested
Vinilo seguro
Soooo gooodddd
This must be on the list... part of my soundtrack of the 80's. However I find it hasn't always aged very well in terms of sound (or has it? Peter Gabriel helped develop that sound). A few great songs (Big Time, Sledgehammer, Don't give up) pushing it just about into 4* territory.
.
hammer on
Esto es lo q mi jarri estilos aspira a ser, ta kawn
me pasó lo opuesto a un jumpscare de oir a la kate bush diciendo que no me rinda, puntos extra
Good
fajny gosc ladny glos takie okey jakis gosc spiewa mi w tle z lat 80 spoko moze byc 7/10 bo nawet ladnie spiewa chociaz w niemtorych piosenka spiewa tak ze tylko o jednym wyrazeniu i ono jest takie muzyczne jak np kurde ze jest młotem albo zamknij malpe a w innych tak jak lubie że opowiada historie wsensie
I liked this and there are son great tunes on this
I first heard Sledgehammer in a Weird Al polka medley. The next time was by the band Northern Kings. Peter Gabriels original is still my third favourite. Still that's the standout here. The rest of the album is fine and enjoyable enough. Does not blow me away. 3 stars.
This album is a vibe and I’d happily listen to it again. The tracks don’t really stick out to me, aside from Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes (and Don’t Give Up, though that isn’t really hitting for me for some reason). I feel like this album could be a grower for me. Rating: 3.5
Not my fav. Retro, love his other music though
In Your Eyes is such a good song! Crazy how he sounds the same even 40 years later.
Need to listen more but not half as bad as I expected!
A very decent album. The highlights for me were, of course, 'Sledgehammer ', then 'Don't Give Up ' and 'In Your Eyes'.
i didn’t care for the first track but the sledgehammer was AWESOME wonderful bassist don’t give up gets amazing at like 4 minutes in when the girls come in everything is just phenomenal
What to do? Big Time and Sledgehammer are amongst the best songs ever written. The rest is just so forgettable.
I dont really like classic that much
es parecido a muchas otras cosas pero me gustó. 4/5.
a superb album overall with only a handful of songs that are merely good rather than great. 4/5.
💿 tracks I liked -Sledgehammer -Don't Give Up This album evidently draws on many musical influences, but it always seems to have this reflective sound throughout. I'd put in the same musical bubble as Africa by Toto.
Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes were the singles for a reason. The rest of the album didn’t really do much for me.
While listening to this I remembered that my parents used to listen to him. Liked a couple songs - Sledgehammer, Don’t Give Up and In Your Eyes.
I spent 45 minutes wondering if I had accidentally put on the soundtrack to an HR onboarding video. Every song feels determined to be important, yet somehow ends up sounding like polished beige wallpaper. Every song takes itself so seriously that I started feeling guilty for not wearing a turtleneck while listening. I kept waiting for the moment where it would finally click. It never did.
My favorite Peter Gabriel song is just a cover of a David Bowie song. 2 stars
Rating - 6/10 My first album in the 1001 album generator to review. This is not my preferred genre but I enjoyed the album. Some songs that made me stop and think - Red Rain - Horrifying dream put into a song. Inner conflict if not resolved will bleed out into your life and manifest itself into real life signals that cannot be ignored. Mercy Street - Anne Sexton's song. Beautiful and haunting. Makes you stop and wonder about women in America especially during Anne's time and their lives battling the misogyny and mental health issues. Big Time - Wanting to become "big" coming from a small town makes you a wannabe.
He does his thing well, but it isn’t for me. Red Rain was pretty sick though.
Epic sounds, epic tunes, epic voice.
It was fine. PG has never been my favorite, but this was pretty good.
I liked this! I wish Kate Bush got credited as the feature on "Don't give up". I know her voice (from this project) so I was able to pick it out. SLEDGEHAMMER IS GREATEST MUSIC VIDEO OF ALL TIME
Fantastic record. Sledgehammer is one of my favourite songs. This is very “pop” but still has his political songs. Plus Ksye Bush!!!!
It's oke
A bit better than I expected. I liked the song with Kate Bush.
***A good, easy listening album
Sooo 80s
The soulful “don’t give up” featuring kate bush was definitely the highlight for me. With a hit song as sledgehammer i expected more from this album. This album wasn’t really captivating enough to intrigue me for 46 minutes long. I like his earlier work for their complex layers. This album production wise was simplistic and not as intricate as his earlier work. I like the flute and triangle as appearing as addition form time to time. The bassline and groove in “big time” was also something i appreciated. Although i share this opinion i still can see the appeal of this album for people who enjoy 80’s pop more than i do. I have a wide knowledge of 80’s music but it’s definitely the decade of music i listen the least to with decades like the 70’s, 90’s and 00’s existing. I give this album a solid 7/10
Solid
This is Peter Gabriel’s attempt to create a big, anthemic mid 80’s album and he succeeds at times. I used to be really annoyed by the gated drum sound of the period but have become a bit more forgiving now that it’s not the default production approach. The two big hits are good, especially Big Time. The opening track is also good, but the three tracks after Sledgehammer really drag. The two tracks after Big Time are decent and it ends on a good track with its final hit. The production doesn’t keep this from four stars; the uneven quality of the songs does.
Sledgehammer has no right to be as catchy as it is. This album is so quintessentially 80's, it's unbelievable. It had a ton of his hits on it, so it’s a very prolific work. It’s a good album; I may not like everything Peter Gabriel puts out, but I can appreciate the talent and production that So puts out.
Es una lastima que la mejor versión de Sledgehammer sea la de Martin Miller Band 3.7
Solid. Also, Sledgehammer still slaps.
Red Rain - 4.5/5 Sledgehammer - 5/5 Don't Give Up - 4/5 That Voice Again - 4/5 In Your Eyes - 5/5 Mercy Street - 4/5 Big Time - 4/5 We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37) - 3.5/5 So launched Gabriel from a cult artist into the mainstream with his most accessible work that still contains his distinct style from his prior work with Genesis and his first 4 solo albums. It still has the sophisto-pop flavor that he had been developing that also blends worldbeat rhythms to create what could be called the defining sound of the 80's. It also helps that he managed to get nearly every artist under the sun to work with him. Stuart Copeland on the drums? A duet with Kate Bush? Tony Frickin' Levin? Sign me up! Overall: 5/5 Favorites: Sledgehammer, In Your Eyes, Red Rain
Peter Gabriel is a great artist. Wonderful production from Daniel Lanois and Peter Gabriel. Outstanding songs: Sledgehammer and Don’t give up on us with the amazing Kate Bush. Good songs: In your eyes, Big Time. The rest of the songs don’t really stand out. They are okay. Great album. Four stars.
Kuuntelin tän ajellessani pohjoseen. Ei se huonoa ollut, mutta ei niin sykäyttävääkään.
Olipa hauskan Fili Kollinsin kuulosta menoa. Tykkäsin kyllä ainakin näin kesäpäivänä ajellessa kuunnella. Ehkä lisäs vibeä.
Eh
Interesting and then innovative pop album featuring Daniel Lanois’ distinctive brilliance production and interesting contributions from Manu Katché and Youssou N’Dour.
7/10 Best songs: Red Rain, Mercy Street, Big Time Soft rock is not my cup of tea. Though Peter Gabriel's often belongs to this genre, some of it is just offbeat enough to be interesting: in many ways I consider him to be the male Kate Bush - which is ironic, considering her feature in the song Don't Give Up (which, unfortunately, is not a particularly good song). Hos quirkiness manages to be just interesting enough that the dull soft rock-ness of it all doesn't bore me out of my skull: a successful album if there ever were one.
I was 10 when this released. Sledgehammer, Big Time and In Your Eyes will always make me feel nostalgic. Are there any weak songs here? Later in life I became a bigger fan of the first four eponymous albums but this one will always be a classic. Great mix of art rock and mainstream pop. A beautifully crafted album.
Started this project on the last day of my high school freshman year, trying to get out of my musical comfort zone. Found this website from reddit (lol) This album is quite different or even opposite to what i listen to now (2000's metalcore/screamo: misery signals, chimaira, converge, botch, sevendust, etc.). Despite this, So is an album that anybody can enjoy. To me, listening to it now has been a soothing and uplifting experience. Album started off strong, and was still pretty solid the whole way through. Branching out from my usual genres was fun. 3.5 stars, leaning 3. Red Rain was the standout. Excited for all the next albums to come during this project.
Initial listing ranking: 7/10 Type of music / Reminds me of: fourstringish potential, sting Thoughts: Insane take, Sledgehammer is kinda overrated, the bridge is really good tho/ The bassist is always killing it. Favorite Track: In Your Eyes
One of the better examples of this ethereal pop music from that era.
good album, absolutely enjoyed it and adding on to that peter gabriel's mellow vocals- would definitely recommend everyone to listen. Although one or two songs didnt amount to much but overall good album
this is another album from my "I admire it more than i like it" list i can see the influences of african music and non-western rhythms and how, in contrast to 80s pop, it manages to give it a more prominent role rather than using it as accompaniment really polished record capable of bringing gabriel's creative concerns to a more accessible yet sophisticated pop sound, and i believe thats exactly whats stopping me from getting hooked to it
Ok
nice 80er vibes
Hmmm. Its very very 80's. Too much 80's i think. The opening 3 songs (Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Don’t Give Up) are fab - Red Rain was new discovery and I really liked it. The rest of the album is a bit blander and smothered by the 80's vibes. He's a local boy so gets a bonus point - but not sure I can give it a 5 based on 3 great tracks and living down the road.
So Nothing to do with the music but I find Peter Gabriel’s face very confusing - at every age he looks like a completely different person. In the cover photo of this he looks nothing like an older version of Genesis Peter Gabriel, and current goatee Peter Gabriel looks absolutely nothing like an older version of the person in the cover photo. Red Rain is a great track, a superbly echo drenched and 80’s bassed bit of anguished epic prog pop earnestness, the sort of brooding song that no one but Peter Gabriel can quite pull off. Sledgehammer is utterly brilliant, you can hear the Stax influence in its strutting funk-soul groove and the flute solo gives it a great exotic edge. The video is also a core childhood memory (alongside You Can Call Me Al and Money for Nothing). Don’t Give Up completes an excellent opening 3 songs, the contrast between Kate’s ethereal floatyness and Gabriel’s gruffness is superb, echoed by the loneliness of his lyrics compared to the hopefulness of hers. That Voice Again is also quite typical of Gabriel in that it’s a bit of a slow grower, but I really like the rhythm and percussion on it. Mercy Street is great, a very wistful, folkish track I find quite affecting. BIg Time is great too, I’ve always loved its big 80s sound, and the bass really is superb. I love that he wrote a song influenced by Stanley Milgram’s experiments, and I also love that it's a great song, with a great pulsing rhythm and a moody and oppressive, resigned atmosphere. This is the Picture (Excellent Birds) is another hypnotically great song, with a minimalist funk feel, not a million miles away from Remain in Light, it’s a shame, as a few people have noted, that it just sort of ends. Although In Your Eyes wasn’t the original closing track it’s an excellent song to end on, with its sense of romantic yearning and anguish and a fantastic vocal by Gabriel. Daniel Lanois’ production is superb, it’s an excellent sounding record. The use of Linn and Fairlight do place it solidly in the mid 80s, but there’s a weight and lubriciousness to the grooves and overall sound that I really love. I was thinking 4, but looking back I love pretty much every track and there are some belters on here. It may not be quite as good as Melt, but its an excellent album and just creeps into the 5s. ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️ Playlist submission: Could be a Red Rain, Sledgehammer, We Do What We’re Told, Excellent Birds or In Your Eyes. I’ll go Red Rain