So

I was born after 1982 (not much after) so this would not be on my list.

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

I want to listen to bikini kill

Some things should stay in the 80s.

That third track was one of the worst things I’ve ever heard. Sacrilegious to Kate Bush frankly

I love the vibes here, but the songs are too long and too repetitive for me, making it a bit boring

Felt loooooong

The kind of music you would hear in a sappy Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks movie about anthropomorphic animals that overcome great tribulations with the power of friendship

I hate every piece of music that came out of the 80s, I think the only people who enjoy music from the 80's are the people who were forced to listen to this shite on the radio at the time, no thanks.

Truly awful 80s crap. I was wishing each song was the last one and disappointed for 9 songs.

Thank god I didn't grow up in the 80s.

A bit meh. Sledgehammer was the only "good" song.

When I say I generally don't like music from the 80s, this is the perfect example of the type of music I'm talking about.. Thought Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes might have been able to bump it up a star.

Dynamic 80s pop, exactly what I thought this would sound like. So much similarity with Collins. Shifted between funny and unsettling, definitely the genre that Patrick Bateman likes to kill people to. Excellent birds probably the funniest. I really don't like this sort of music, I think on some level it isn't awful but it's a personal 1.

2/10 Truly awful music. Lacking lyrically and instrumentally. Nothing special about this at all Favourite Song=None Least Favourite Song=Cant pick one

This was painful. I already didn't wanna listen to this just on the grounds of it not really being my kinda music to start with. It's very 80s, painfully so. The instrumentals were fine? Like I said I don't really listen to this genre. But man the star of this shit show, Peter Gabriel, ASS and I like one of his songs but I think that was later work. The lyrics for some of these songs were just fucking weird, song about birds, not giving up and just him singing about waking up and looking at the sun. Just hard to give a shit about something I really didn't wanna listen to in the first place, It did feel like a waste of my time. 1/5.

50 minutes of clanks, bangs, whips and just utter garbage. The only thing worse than a Peter Gabriel album is a Phil Collins album

I really didn’t want to listen to that. I think I only listened to the first 2/3. Even a Kate bush feature couldnt save this

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

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.

Top 80s!

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.

Amazing. Knew him from the singles, had never heard the full album before.

INspring

Vinilo seguro

Soooo gooodddd

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

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.

If this isn't one of the greatest albums from the 80s, I don't know what is.

PG just does not miss. A masterpiece of 1980s art rock, and one that I could honestly listen to everyday. It's the first album in the challenge so far that I actually own, so I was very happy to get this spinning on the turntable. Such a warm sound throughout, especially when it comes to Tony Levin's insane bass lines. Cannot sing this one's praises enough. Favourite track: Big Time Least favourite track: This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)

A perfect album. One of my all time favorites. What a talented musician.

Enjoyed this one a lot. Knew the hits but the whole package was even better. Really enjoyed the vibe and unlike other reviewers I quite enjoyed the 80s production sound.

Why don’t I have this album???

this slaps Its so weird to rate these cus im only listening 1x before rendering judgment. Is this actually a 5 star? Who knows! But this is a lot of fun and I'll be relistening

This album pleasantly surprised me! Very interesting and some cool features. Will listen again Rating: 9/10 Favorite Song: Don’t Give Up, Sledgehammer

Hard to say anything negative about this one...

Going into this I knew Sledgehammer which is one of the best pop songs ever. So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the rest of the album was also incredible. I listened on headphones and the textures on this thing were so lush. Loved this album!

Very good. Love Sledgehammer and Don't Give Up. Classics

Excellent

Class and beauty, gets better with each listen

Another classic from middle school. This one has never gotten old or sounded dated or dropped on and off my favorites list. An incredible work of art that also was a commercial bonanza. I prefer Security, and maybe Us as well, but the brilliance of this record is undeniable

Cool album

Brilliant and timely classic

He is one of the best….both with Genesis and his solo work 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

I love this album.

No question!

4.5 - Yup, I even loved the songs I didn't know.

Prachtig album, ik had nog nooit echt geluisterd naar Genesis of Peter Gabriel, maar erg mooie nummers en prachtige productie

I was a big fan of Gabriel's first four albums when this came out, and I think at the time I felt this was "too commercial", though I still bought and liked it. But listening today I think I seriously underrated it; it's a really strong piece of work (and I love Tony Levin's bass work).

At last - an album that I knew even before listening was going to be a 5 . Love this , always have , always will . Amazing videos and superb live performance video too . Too hard to pick a favourite track . Whichever is playing .

Excellent. It was part of my record collection when it came out. Wonder what someone who heard it for the first time would think?

Simultaneously everything I love and hate about most music from the 80's. The fact that it can exist in both planes with equal abundance in my mushy grey brainz means it gets a 4/5, though I'm tempted to give it a 5/5 because of that reason alone. F$&@ it, it's getting a 5 for being the actual definition of antithesis.

Peter Gabriel takes it to another zone with So. One of the quintessential albums that define the 80s. Gleaming production, polyrhythms, excellent melodies made not much radio but for MTV. His voice singing Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Mercy Street, Big Time, and In Your Eyes was everywhere. So many other artists of the 60s and 70s had reinvented themselves for this new generation, Steve Winwood, Sting, Kate Bush, Phil Collins, Tina Turner. But none went deeper or had a bigger influence on the sound of the era than Peter Gabriel. He knew he had gold with Sledgehammer, a radio-friendly rocker that raised the stakes with the remarkable stop-motion photography of the video. And it's a lively track. But his quieter numbers like Mercy Street and Don't Give Up really gave this album traction. They are simply beautiful odes to redemption and solace. These are modern psalms in a definitively secular time. They feel so personal. But he is still in an adventurous mood, creating atmospheres and vocal soundscapes that betray his avant garde soul. This comes through in We Do What We're Told and in This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds) -- where he collaborates with Laurie Anderson. She was just coming off her superb Mr. Heartbreak and the quirky Excellent Birds was refashioned by Gabriel for this album. They make a great pair; a pity they didn't make an album together. But I really dig his duet with Kate Bush, who was also riding high on the success of Hounds of Love, another stirring 80s masterpiece which I've no doubt I'll come across here. She is the angel's voice to Peter's despair, offering the counterpoint balm to a horrid world out there. It is my favorite track. In Your Eyes is so gorgeous, it's romantic, ecstatic, anthemic, and incredibly infectious. The perfect song to close a perfect album. It's no wonder the LP is on this list, there's not a weak track in it.

Great album. Very soulful. Favourites include Red River, dont give up & sledgehammer.

Отличны альбом! Захотелось пластинку

One of the very best albums of all time!

This album has some great songs!

OG The Voice.

Instant Classic

One of the best and most important albums

Fantastic album. "In Your Eyes" is one of my favourite songs of all-time. "Sledgehammer" is a banger. "Don't Give Up" is a great duet. The production, atmosphere, and instrumentation on stuff like "Red Rain" and "Mercy Street" is, for lack of better words, very cool. Borderline flawless.

This really is kind of big time

Much more commercial than his first four self-titled albums, nevertheless So remains a classic. Gabriel's typical blend of musical influences from around the globe and the production of Daniel Lanois combine to create an artistic yet accessible album with a wide appeal. Some huge singles on this album, but I think my favourite track is probably Mercy Street

Banger all the way through

Excellent! Il suffit de venir chez moi pour constater que je suis fan!

Genuinely really fucking excellent. What feels like my first five for this project in a while.

So beautiful

So much fun, the one with kate bush is gorgeous

Sooooooo many great tracks. A sound that is instantly recongnizable as 'that's ole Petey making gold again!'

This hits you, with a sledgehammer, then keeps going! The sound is so singular, and Gabriel’s voice such a unique one. So good

UGH YES YYYESSSSSSSS YES YES YES 💦

An all-timer.

Helt fenomenalt! Inte en enda svag låt och sjukt välproducerat.

4.5, сразу много понравилось всего тут, почти без проходных песен

Peter Gabriel

Cutting-edge? MTV seemed to think so. Most accessible and mainstream of his work? Absolutely. Best Peter Gabriel? Probably not.

Peter Gabriel at his best, enhanced by numerous collaborations. A wonderful album.

So, Peter on consecutive days. This was much better. Red Rain sets the tone and what follows keeps up the quality

I've not listened to this for years and started it up expecting I'd have moved on. And I'm delighted that I was wrong. Just glorious. Raucous pop songs (Sledgehammer, Big Time) somehow sit easily alongside hymm-like outings (Mercy Street, Don't Give Up). The range of emotions it generates is majestic. A fantastic 5*

Growing up in the time, I always remember thinking music like this, or Prince 80’s, or the Pretty Woman soundtrack sounded overproduced, self serious, and corny. It took me years for my music taste to appreciate this music, Now I unironically love the sound. This album is sensational. When someone asks you what the 80’s sounded like.

Easy five stars!

There's a reason pretty much everybody had a copy of this on CD in the late 1980s: there's no weak track on it.

Equal parts fierce and calm, this is an unequivocal win. From the first notes of Red Rain, this record remains undeniable.

Fav

This is an interesting album. It's a 5/5, no doubt. Sung perfectly and incorporating music from so many different cultures and sounding beauiful. The songs themselves are great with lyrics ranging from cryptic to straightforward, as Gabriel (who I know only from his Genesis days) likes to be weird. One of the best sounding albums too, the production is timeless.

Great album

Cinco estrelas por conta do triângulo nordestino. Ponto.

Where Peter Gabriel ditched the self-titled solo album titles and abstract album art, pooled everything he'd learned together, added some hooks and created one of the finest records of the 1980s. Right from the epic opener 'Red Rain', 'So' sees Gabriel bear absolutely everything; heart, soul, worldly consciousness and supreme creativity; to craft a record that truly lives up to all the hype it received in the 1980s and then some. 'Sledgehammer' is not only a fantastic single, but the music video completely changed the game for the artform with its revolutionary use of stop-motion animation mixed with Gabriel's own profile. Then there's the excellent 'Don't Give Up' where Gabriel teams with fellow unconventional star Kate Bush for a sombre yet poignant duet about persevering through tough times. The emotion on this song is heartfelt and cutting, and it serves as a warm hug to tell you everything's going to be okay. Even though 'So' is clearly more pop-oriented than Gabriel's first four records, there's still so much going on here musically that his inventiveness is never stifled. His confessional and emotive lyrics pair perfectly with the art rock, pop and worldbeat undertones, and just like Paul Simon accomplished with 'Graceland', Gabriel proves pop can be just as accessible when the ideas and vision seem broad to the point it makes marketing a nightmare. Epic, confident and not containing a single weak song, 'So' is one of the best albums of the 1980s, and transitioned Gabriel from cult hero to megastar, not unlike what 'Let's Dance' did for David Bowie or 'No Jacket Required' did for Phil Collins. Best songs: The entire record

good sound!!

He's just such an artist. Some of his solo work is a bit strange, but this hits all the right notes of catchy, interesting, fun, and meaningful. My heaven will be a big heaven, and I will walk through the front door!

own

Nostalgia bomb. I've gravitated to Security in recent past but So was my introduction. This held up well, great range and never a dull moment. Plus interspecies internet FTW!

Incredible album. Great vibes. Great lyrics. Great grooveability.

This is so 80s, I love it. I would never use a gated Verb nowadays, but here, it just works.

Classic

The apex of art rock. Completely infectious but complex, emotional and smart. A document of its time but also transcendent of those constraints.

guzel bir album ama bi tik night voyage vibe i var hd 560s ile dinledim ama ses kalitesi olarak belki dinledigim yerden kaynakli olarak cok guzel bir kalitesi yok.

I know this album inside out, bought the original. Just listened to the remaster and its still a great album today. Perhaps one average track on it, but the rest all get 5's from me

To najlepšie od Petra.

An excellent album with track after track of beautiful instrumentation. Don't give up features the wonderfully talented Kate Bush on vocals. The ecology song of Red Rain the playfulness of Sledgehammer opening the album. Big Time in the middle and the romantic In Your Eyes rounding it out. One of his best.

To the guy who said no one born after 1982 would like this album: I was born in the 21st century. And I'm giving this FIVE STARS 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Phenomenal album. Still great after all this time. The voice, the arrangements, the melodies....

Even better than I remembered, one hit after another

Perfect in every way. Never better, never duplicated.

This is a complete album loaded with classic Gabriel songs. Your Eyes, Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Don’t Give Up and Big Time.

Lovely album!

Big fan of Peter Gabriel, solo and with Genesis. I have a signed copy of this LP. A more 80s mainstream release than the previous 4 albums. "Don't Give Up" with Kate Bush a standout, and the video for "Sledgehammer" was innovative.

Oddly enough it calmed me down during a pre panic attack

In Your Eyes is one of my favorite songs ever so this was delectable.

.

So many slappers! Big time - new fav I guess PG did sledgehammer first? Strong all the way.

Every song is a hit

this album is a complete vibe. likes every single song and honestly was just what i like

Perfect. No skips.

Immediate 5/5. I've been shaking my ass to this record since I was 5 or 6, and it never gets old for me.

Great instrumental composition and amazing vocals.

A+

A favorite. Always loved In Your Eyes from Say Anything, and the bridge to Don’t Give Up is a highlight for me.

This is a near perfect album 💚

Love this album. This made me want to find out more about Gabriel and introduced me to Genesis before the Collins era. In Your Eyes will ALWAYS be that song I want to hear.

Beautiful 80’s synth-art-pop! A Kate Bush feat.! Who doesn’t love “In Your Eyes” and “Sledgehammer”?!

This is a strong contender for inclusion as one of the best pop albums of the 80s. 4 catchy meg-hit songs that still get radio play, and the balance of the songs are excellent as well. Personally there are songs on Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt) and Peter Gabriel 4 (Security) that I prefer to anything here, but this is an undeniable classic and arguably his most consistently high-quality album.

Truly one of the best albums of all time, banger after banger. I remember listening to this on a walkman in 6th grade and being floored by the musicality, impact, and mystery of the music and lyrics. Songs are fully fleshed-out and deliver exactly what they're supposed to. Synths are organic and soulful, rhythms are world-inspired but never contrived.

Nothing like I’ve ever listened to before. Big Time, Sledgehammer & This Is the Picture became instant favorites. Incredible album.

Excellent record

Most of Genesis' experimental feelings came from PG, mo doubt.

Classic, one of the most satisfying sounds ever

Very smooth choruses, with more complex imagery and poetic lyricism reserved for the verses.

Banger album. Half the tunes were hits. There is no doubt this belongs on the list. This isn't something I'm going to put on often but for the album of the day it's solid.

A few absolutely amazing tracks. Incredible production.

Me ENCANTÓ nunca lo había escuchado todo junto o corrido y me fascinó 10/10

I love 80s new wave! And I've heard the hits from this one, but I didn't expect to enjoy the full runtime so much. Also love the features from Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, and Nile Rodgers!

Absolutely iconic. I feel honored that I get to listen to this album

Great album, really great introduction to this project! Enjoyed t on the first listen, will need to listen more closely again

This was really my first discovery of Peter Gabriel through “Sledgehammer” when it was released as a single and the video that seemed to be everywhere. I remember getting this on cassette and loved it. Despite the Sledgehammer and Big Time singles being my introduction my favourite tracks on the album were (and remain) Red Rain and Don’t Give Up. So has remained an album I still listen to almost 40 years since its release. Great album.

I loved this. I know Peter Gabriel through singles largely, so a lot of this was new and it was so good. I try to listen to every album on this at least once, and aim for twice. This got four listens yesterday and will likely remain in my rotation.

Look, I can see how this album might come across to many people as very dated and a bit cringeworthy. But I like to try to consider albums in the context of the time they were created. Here we have Peter Gabriel, blending art rock and world music into his most accessible album yet. If it's lost some of its lustere today, it's probably from being overplayed, but it's quite an impressive album for its time. I also stand firmly behind "Sledgehammer" as one of the best songs (and music videos) of the 80s which is really adding weight to my scoring today.

Excellent

Songs I Like -Red Rain -Sledgehammer -That Voice Again -In Your eyes

PG is my main music guy so I will happily listen to this again for the millionth time with fresh ears but the versatility! The range and power of his voice! The Kate Bush! Peter Gabriel is a genius and this album is his thesis statement (and it’s not even my favourite of his work).

Love this album. Red Rain, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes all slay! This album was absolutely the height of Peter Gabriel’s genius. Maybe it’s because I listened to it on repeat as a teen, or maybe because it’s genuinely a masterpiece…. In my view one of the all time greats and a defining album of the mid-eighties.

Ett album som både är så otroligt 80-tal, men också får en att gråta. Ett totalt new wave mästerverk där t.o.m de obskyra låtarna är asbra och Sledgehammer gör alla album till en femma

Without doubt one of Peter Gabriel's best albums. Chocked full of bangers. At this stage in his career he had perfected his songwriting and orchestrated collaborations with some of the world's finest musicians/performers. Red Rain, Mercy Street, big time, sledgehammer, don't give up, in your eyes, how can it be anything other than a 5!

His best, most consistent work.

Fricking awesome. Peter Gabriel you rule. Shout out Kate bush and Tony levin. Banger!

PETER GABRIEL - SO Red Rain - what a fucking opening track. Possibly the hugest sounding piece of music I had ever heard upon hearing it, potentially still holds that title. Everything just sounds monumental. the hi-hat intro. I find it hard to place exactly what is making it so big. there's what sounds like a big piano chord, obviously huge reverbs, but nothing ever feels washed out, it's so articulate. I gush I gush. Sledgehammer - iconic intro flute hook. the bass line in the verse (Tony Levin with the finger sticks) is one of the best bass lines ever created in my mind. This track is so dense but everything fits together beautifully. I remember reading that the whole outro was Peter just going off with nonsense, which you can definitely hear, but it doesn't matter. Don't Give Up - god damn these harmonized basses sound incredible. Lanois doing his thing here. I love this sound so much. I also love these 80s pads and glassy synths. Kate Bush sounds great, I remember being a little bit underwhelmed by her appearance on first listen, but it's grown on me a ton. She has such a fragile voice, but not in the modern indie-whisper way. When she resolves the chorus, it's absolutely brilliant. We get very gospel in this middle section. That river's flowing. This song has a strange structure. My controversial take might be that this song is too long. You could chop this last minute off without a second thought. That Voice Again - a relatively unsung hero on this record. One of my favourite tracks. drums are incredible. that tom fill. ugh I love this chorus. vocal harmony is perfect. the transition to the verse is maybe the weakest part. feels like they were really trying to splice these two segments together somehow and that's where they landed. Mercy Street - That fretless bass slide into the triangle percussion. The Reich-iness. The organ solo, so simple and beautiful. Realizing for the first time that this is a reggaeton rhythm. Big Time - what is that sample at the beginning? I feel like this is the kind of stuff from Peter that I wouldn't really give as much of a chance if it weren't coming from him. Man can you hear the influence on The 1975. Those synth bass lines are so great. This is the funniest song on the record. The female backing vocalists with the 'big time' just makes it hilarious. Very 80s, neon. There's some interesting stuff going on with the chord changes on this one. We Do What We're Told - I read that this was the first track they made for the record. Seems strange but it also ads up. Dictates the sonic signature of much of the rest of the record. Definitely feels of the Lanois mind. I could actually do without the lyrical vocals on this track, seems like it could have served as an instrumental interlude and had the same impact. What the hell are these bloopy synths? So sick. Excellent Birds - feels more like early Peter Gabriel stuff. a bit zanier. grooves are immaculate of course. Laurie Anderson being cool. Probably the weakest track on the record, or We Do What We're Told, but still cool as fuck In Your Eyes - apparently this track was at the beginning of Side B before for vinyl pressing reasons (bass content). What a different record that makes it. In Your Eyes is another perfect song IMO. The way it shifts into the pre-chorus feels incredible, that harpsichord-esque sound (curious what that is?) that comes in is an essential instrumental hook. It's massive and anthemic and gorgeous. Youssou N'Dour absolutely crushing it on the outro. High-frequency percussion is immaculate. The barbershop bass vocals at the very end singing 'in YOUR eyes' can be forgiven, for the rest of this track is historic. Went into this with the record in my top 10 favourite albums of all time, and that certainly hasn’t changed. It’s sprawling, detailed, beautiful and brilliant. Its influence is so prevalent. I’m still searching for some of the sounds on this record. Plus I can put it on at my parents’ house and they’ll be happy.

A favorite.

Brilliant!

Always a go to album!

Super fun

If this project does nothing except introduce me to Peter Gabriel’s solo career, it will be a success.

Imagine being so on top of your game that you can bring in Stewart Copeland, Nile Rodgers, Kate Bush, Chris Merrick, Laurie Anderson, Mark Rivera, Daniel Lanois, etc as bit players Then imagine being so on top of your game that one of your songs helps get Elton John sober. And almost none of those things has anything to do with the biggest, most successful, most memorable song on the album. Or the second biggest, second most successful, second most memorable song on the album. That's the kind of shit Peter Gabriel was on in the mid 80s. So is unbeatable.

Mindblowing!

Amazing album! So so good! So many bangers!

I love Peter Gabriel. If you look at my Genesis collection it ends with "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" because that is the last album that Peter Gabriel was on and had anything to do with. I remember fondly every song on this album and especially the music videos for "Sledge Hammer" and "Big Time".

Caveat up-front. I've owned this album from it's release back in 1986 so I've played it regularly over the years. This album was Peter Gabriel's move from a cult-ish following, including a lot of Genesis fans, to a more commercial style of music. Some of his earlier music was complex, both musically and lyrically, but this album is easier listening, probably to try to expand his audience. All the tracks are great, but my favourites are Red Rain, Sledgehammer and Mercy Street with top spot reserved for Don't Give Up. The latter never fails to make me feel emotional every time I hear it. There's something about the combination of Peter and Kate Bush's singing coupled with the lyrics that gets me - particularly I guess because of the sentiment being expressed. Musically, it's great, although more mainstream than his previous albums. That doesn't detract from it though. The album is very listenable.

I really enjoyed this album, definitely much more than "Melt". It could almost deserve a 5 just for "Sledgehammer" and "In Your Eyes"! This does have all the big Peter Gabriel songs and it's easy to see why - the songwriting and arrangements are awesome and there is still a lot of the flavor that made Genesis such an influential band. Definitely a great record.

This is my favorite PG and the first in a trilogy of masterpieces: So --> Us --> Up

Very pleasant listen. Standout tracks: Sledgehammer, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes

Today, Peter Gabriel's album So was the right record at the right time for me, and I was deeply moved by the time I spent with it, listening for the OAD journey we all share. I've heard it before, and, of course, I am familiar with the singles, but I wasn't aware of the record's popularity or cultural impact. One Discogs review I read said something along the lines of, "Every house has this album, and if you don't think you do, you should look again." I was nine when this album came out, from a small southern city with deep military and Bible-Belt influences. I was not listening to Peter Gabriel albums. In 1989, I was not watching Cameron Crowe films. Elementary age me did think that the video for Sledgehammer was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen (mostly in short clips from other shows or commercials. Remember, Bible Belt). Today was not the first time I've listened to this album, but it was the first time I listened to it critically. 67 albums in, and this is the best example of Artistic or Progressive Pop I may have ever heard, even surpassing other masterpieces such as Hounds of Love and The Joshua Tree. The music is layered and mastered beautifully. I listened to the YouTube Music-streamed version of the Deluxe Edition (including the live additions) and FLAC files of the SACD. I listened with earbuds, headphones, in my car, and on my hi-fi. The SACD files through a plug-in DAC from my phone over headphones were the best experience, but each version was a joy. The music is perfect, as are the vocal performances. Kate Bush's contributions are meaningful, made even better as she adapts her talents to Peter Gabriel's vision. I needed to hear her sing "Don't give up" today. In fact, today I was probably most impressed with the lyrical content of these songs, as wonderful and engaging as the music is. Of course, the massive hits are exceptionally catchy while showcasing both artistic ability and pop sensibility in a wonderful balance, especially "In Your Eyes." Many of you have known that for years, but I feel like I only appreciated the song for what it is today. But, sandwiched between the giangic bangers of "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time," is the triptych of inspirational, uplifting songs: "Don't Give Up," That Voice Again," and "Mercy Street." They each represent a unique dimension of an intimate personal struggle, written in a way that allows the listener to relate their own trials to those described here and, even more importantly, to feel emotional relief through the uplifting catharsis effected by the resolutions in the lyrics. The ultimate resolution to these three is the album's eruption into "Big Time," which I'm convinced, with no evidence and probable projection, is about Gabriel purging egotistical tendencies he observes in himself. This track progression is what elevates the album from a collection of great tunes to a cohesive experience. This is what provides the journey that we lovers of the album format crave. And it does it all in a package that is immediately accessible with a runtime of under 50 minutes. Peter Gabriel's So is as good an introduction to close, critical listening as any other record I can think of. It's up there with What's Going On, Rumours, Abbey Road, and Exodus. Finally, a brief plug for the live content on the deluxe edition. The concert's overall journey doesn't match the album's, but the readings of the individual cuts rival the studio versions in emotional impact. Youssou N'Dour appears on stage for his part in "In Your Eyes." You must hear it at least once. I was knocked on my ass by this album. Whatever hard times you are facing, consider spending 46 minutes listening closely to this record as a form of self-care. Five stars.

This album takes me back. This is such a solid album. Sledgehammer is still hitting hard, but Don't Give Up is incredibly relevant today. This album is such a banger and I'm loving everything about it.

неплохая музыка. слушал ночью, пока разбирал проекты, плагины и тд по папкам, очень подошло под настроение.

This album is BIG TIME from start to finish. It’s loaded with standout tracks “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” and “In Your Eyes,” but even the deeper cuts hold their own. “Red Rain” opens things perfectly, setting the tone for the rest of the album. All in all, a 5/5 from someone born in 1983. It's a timeless classic.

One of those albums that's an automatic 5 for me...no question. And one of the rare albums that I enjoy listening to all the way through. Red Rain gives me chills every time.

I've mainly been listening to Gabriel's earlier solo albums and his Genesis ones over the past few years, so completely forgot how many great songs are on here. I especially like the collaborative ones. Elements of it are slightly dated, but it's pretty perfect, as far as 80s pop goes. 9/10

Wow

Listening to Peter Gabriel brought me back to fond memories. I listened to the album as I was going to work. Fantastic!

I don't even have to listen to this record. I have it memorized. It has shown up at several pivotal moments in my life. I got this on CD when I was a lovesick 14 or 15 year-old who watched Say Anything too much. (I may or may not have blasted "In Your Eyes" to a girl's front door, Lloyd Dobbler-style, in an extremely mortifying and unoriginal grand romantic gesture at one point in my teens). But I also remember it from way before seeing the amazing stop-motion video for "Sledgehammer" on MTV in the 80s. I remember a college party I attended, where I sat on the porch in the dark talking about life with my friend from the theatre program, our cigarette smoke drifting through the air like the haunting rhythms of "Mercy Street" we heard playing inside the house. I put "Don't Give Up" on a playlist for a friend who was struggling very recently, in fact. His founding of the Real World Record label also had a significant impact on broadening my appreciation for international sounds that would later define my DJ career. Peter Gabriel has always been pushing the envelope. Too cool for Genesis, he branched out on his own to bring together all his influences and interests into an impressive and storied solo career. He already had four solid records before this one, but I guess this was his mainstream breakthrough effort. Sure, sometimes he gets a little deep into "sensitive white guy singing passionately about his feelings" territory here, but I'll forgive him that, given his imaginative and wholesale commitment to creativity in all aspects of his output, from songwriting, to filmmaking, to the overwhelming theatricality of his live shows.  This record is almost perfect. Every song is so well-crafted and performed. It is also such a study in contrasts. There are the big show-stopper funky sonic bangers on the instrumentally dense pop songs like "Big Time" and "Sledgehammer", and then the quieter, sparer moments like "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37" and "Mercy Street, which really allow for an understated yet incredible amount of space in the compositions. I wanna think with the pop bangers that had so much play on the radio and MTV, he was also luring in listeners to buy the record and get their horizons broadened with the more experimental, cerebral, and international offerings throughout. "That Voice Again" is the only weak link here; total throwaway. He brings in some pretty heavy collaborators on the vocals, and Tony Levin's bass does take center stage to memorable effect. The cover art, designed by Peter Saville of Factory Records fame, does have curious similarities to New Order's "Low Life". Nevertheless it's clean and modern and as such feels fresh even decades later. I'm not typically a fan of major label mainstream singer/songwriter stuff, but this guy has also been around too much at important points in my life for me to indulge in my personal biases and I must instead just embrace it. All that said, I listened to it again anyway. Although it doesn't hit me like it used to, it still hits.

Masterpiece.

This album is packed with great songs, and even better memories. It somehow felt legendary even before I ever heard it, like one of those records everyone knows is special. Every time it plays, it still makes me smile, just a gentle reminder of how timeless great music can be.

I will always feel a special connection to this sublime album. I saw Peter Gabriel three times in the 80s on his touring off "So." Some obvious bangers. "Mercy Street" and "Don't Give Up" still make me emotional when I hear them. And of course one of the most magnificent love songs of all time—"In Your Eyes."

I mean….this is a 5-star album. The end.

A sonoridade desse álbum me impressionou bastante. E também me deixou com muita vontade de conhecer mais sobre o artista, pois se em um álbum ele consegue fazer uma coisa assim, imagina nos outros.

Veľmi chillovacia kvalitná muzika

So... this is a truly excellent album. Full of inspiration, jams, and an iconic sound of the 80s. From the imagery in his lyrics, to the synth blending everything together. It's a time machine. But this album also opens the door for experiencing world music, and gaining appreciation for the various artistic influences. You listen to work like this, and you immediately understand what it defined for artists who followed. We need more like him, with his values and top-notch innovation. Peter Gabriel for PM! Did you know: Sledgehammer is a funky bass jam about Peter Gabriel's penis.

🗯 Dunno what it is about Peter Gabriel — is he clever? Is it his voice? Or does he just speak directly to the right thing in my music-loving brain? To my ears, he doesn’t miss — he could do it all and this one’s flawless pop-leaning. By 1986, Gabriel had already gone full art-rock weirdo — now he seemed keen for the world to actually sing along. So was the breakthrough: sensual, cinematic, and impossibly sophisticated. It’s what happens when a visionary decides to play nice with the mainstream and ends up redefining it. Bowie did it. Prince did it. Gabriel nailed it. There’s Sledgehammer — a funky sermon on lust disguised as pop perfection. Don’t Give Up turns existential despair into gospel with Kate Bush’s ethereal counterpoint — it hits me in the sub-cockle area. In Your Eyes remains one of the most heartfelt ballads ever to score a cinematic boombox moment. Red Rain is huge, biblical catharsis — one glorious opener if ever there was one. And Big Time? That funky, Prince-like guitar and monster hook define Gabriel for me. And those big, dramatic drums? I’m a sucker for them — pure 80s perfection. This record finds the sweet spot between art and pop, with Gabriel’s introspection at one end and Phil Collins’ stadium polish at the other. It’s all a flex. A rare album that threads art and accessibility without compromise — proof you can be deep, danceable, and downright filthy all at once. Verdict: Essential (horny art-pop meets spiritual awakening) For fans of: Talking Heads, Kate Bush, Tears for Fears, anyone who likes their enlightenment with a sax solo

definitely not a stranger to peter gabriel's work. his songs are so meaningful and mesmerizing to listen to... this album is one of his best-sellers and for good reason. it's sometimes spiritual, sometimes funky, sometimes quiet... it's all over the place, but it works. when it starts you might think "ohhhh is this going to be another corny synthy 80s pop record?" but it's so much more than that... i like albums where i can sit and think about how i could make music as meaningful and as... worldly as gabriel's.

Definitely the poppiest and most commercial sounding album he had made at this point in his career. A big step away from his Genesis days. The songs are catchy, especially Sledgehammer and Big Time. He did retain some of his earlier style with Mercy Street, We Do What Were Told and Don't Give Up. Finally, In Your Eyes is a classic, romantic love song.

Pre: I like Peter Gabriel's music, I probably have heard just the singles from this Post: great production and prog like pop , whole album was great

This album blew me away when it came out and it has lost nothing in the intervening years.

excellent album.

Excellent album, and I didn’t realize so many of Peter Gabriel’s hits are all on this record. I really enjoyed my time listening to this and I’ll be back soon. Best Track: In Your Eyes

Well - one of the first albums I ever bought was Peter Gabriel’s Golden Greats and have seen him live twice and been to WOMAD twice in the past 30 years so I am somewhat biased.

Undefeated 80s

The best!

Aged well

Hadn't listened to this album in its entirety and, just, holy shit

Yeeaaah, Gabriel the best

Big radio hits on this one. Sledgehammer, Big Time, In Your Eyes. 5/5

very good #1,2,6,7 are the best IMO

Somehow I deleted my biggish review so I’ll just say: a fuckin masterpiece.

Favourites: All of them!

Un ancien chanteur de band prog bizarre qui fini par faire un monument de musique pop avec intelligence et émotivité. Le chef d'oeuvre de Peter Gabriel.

Peter 🙌

A genius album that manages to be great pop music of its day while simultaneously aging perfectly. Much of the music is played on synth, but very little feels dated like some other music of the 80s. Tony Levin’s bass playing on is some of the best. Though Peter Gabriel no longer wrote prog rock, the creativity and uniqueness from his time in Genesis is still present. 5/5

Good memories

This was so good I was taken by surprise. Sledgehammer is a total classic and I’ve loved it forever, but man what a great album. Listen again for sure

Honestly, this is pretty good. It's different and fun.

My musical wish this year is for someone to write a new song that has the feel and depth of “Red Rain.” That opener from Peter Gabriel’s So still hits with it's moody, cinematic, heaviness that takes me back to a decade of soft lightning coming through window shades. The guy was building a universe. And yeah, everyone knows “Sledgehammer” was the monster single, with the claymation video and the horn section making MTV history. But So is bigger than one song. “In Your Eyes” became a generation’s love letter. “Don’t Give Up” with Kate Bush is one of the most empathetic duets ever recorded. Even the deep cuts sound like they were carved out of stone. Listening back, what gets me is how modern it still feels. The textures, the way Gabriel leaned into technology without losing the humanity. It’s been nearly 40 years and So still sounds like the future. Makes you wonder why nobody’s chasing that kind of ambition anymore.

In your eyes is gold

★★★★★★★★★★

Overall: 9/10 I JUST bought this album on vinyl a few days ago. I adore Peter Gabriel. His era as the frontman of Genesis is one of my favourite eras of any band and his solo career is pretty incredible too. This album is a slow burn for the most part, with ballads taking up most of the runtime. But then there's Sledgehammer, with one of the funkiest basslines ever written (thanks Tony Levin!) Then you have Don't Give Up with the Kate Bush guest vocals. Awe man, the more I listen to this and think about it the more I like it. I'm so glad this man gave us so much amazing music. Fav Song: Sledgehammer

Brilliant album start to finish.

not quite a 5 but close enough

Я фанат дженезіс (причому люблю як період Гебріела, так і період Коллінза) і ця любов перейшла й на сольне обох лід вокалістів (третього не рахую, його сольне мені не дуже якраз). So це один з найкращих альбомів евер, жодної слабкої пісні. Тоні Левін ван лав.

Probably his best album. Every song is great.

*1986. *A personal favorite, but also objectively an amazing album. *Red Rain and In Your Eyes on repeat would still make the album a 5 star listen. RATING - 9/10

One of the finest albums of the 1980's. I believe that every track is an absolute classic. Everything is as good as it could be, from the songwriting through the playing to the playing. Not a step wrong.

Incredible album. Great pop hits, and deep cuts that are just perfection.

One of the best album ever made!

One of my favorite albums of all time

Hit after hit, Tour produced one of my favorite shows, lost my voice for 2 days - Biko Red Rain Sledgehammer Big Time

Easy 5. It's been a while since I listened to the whole thing, and it holds up well, although it definitely sounds like the 80s. Peter Gabriel turns to 80s pop while keeping some of the arty prog sound from Genesis and his 70s solo albums. It works surprisingly well.

9/10

191/1089 - The Stewart Copeland hi-hats alone in the intro of Red Rain gets 4 stars from me automatically. Bass playing, production, and songwriting are all killer. Hard for me to pick if this, melt, or car is my favorite Peter Gabriel album.

One of the best albums of the 80s. Favorites: Red Rain, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes Would I listen to it again: Yes

Constant 10/10, no skips. The gateway drug into not only Peter Gabriel, but Laurie Anderson as well. The bassist in me always dreamed of being a fraction of Tony Levin.

There’s a constant vibe of this worldly spiritualness built through this constant imagery and lots of musical influences that sort of transcend it to another plane. His audience is the Earth itself.

I feel like I’m giving out too many five stars on this thing, might have to go back and adjust a few, but I think this one definitely deserves it. I had no idea how awesome this album would be, I knew the song sledgehammer, but almost every song it is a banger. With the great classics of the 80s, Definitely love the music ship and everything involved.

Amazing album. Perfect even.

Full of bangers

Peter Gabriel delivers an all-timer. Very poppy and accessible while still finding time for fun experimentation. There are booming, ethereal vocals and crisp synth instrumentation for days. Best tracks: Sledgehammer, Big Time, This is the Picture, In Your Eyes

Epic! Sedgehammer video was ahead of its time. So innovative In Your Eyes was an anthem of my generation and used in one of my favorite films. Too bad Cusack is such a douchebag now!

Perhaps nostalgia or just good music through and through. Multiple, hug hits on this album.

Epic, still

Great album from my youth.

A top 3 for me. Perfect in every way. The songwriting, the instrumentation, and the sound are simply fantastic. “Mercy Street” is incredible. I can’t love this any more than I do.

I had forgotten how good this is. The standout is Don’t Give Up. Absolute goosebumps with that track!

Lush!

I knew some of these songs, but didn’t realize how much I enjoyed them within the project of the album. Genesis was quite technically sophisticated in their sound, and it seems like Peter Gabriel continued with just as much skill as Phil Collin’s did (although with less commercial success it seems). Really liked this, 4.5/5

Love, love, love this album.

One of my favorite records.

Peter Gabriel at his most accessible and yet totally ground-breaking, innovative and consistently great. Every tune is a winner. I’ve had this album in my collection since its release and it never fails to elevate me. ‘Don’t give up’ deserves 10 stars by itself. A truly beautiful song and the others are all bangers. Outstanding!

This one has a bit of a special meaning for me. 1989 was when I first started indulging in cannabis, and a good friend of mine insisted we hang in the bedroom and crank on an album that could be enhanced by the experience the first time I got high. I picked this CD out of my collection as I thought it was just an incredible sounding record. (Just recently, I stumbled upon a video of Harry Styles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqm7-zN5s8k) on the Stern show, and he mentions how he thinks this is the "best mixed" album ever). Admittedly, I don't LOVE all of Gabriel's work — I'm in for most of the hits and a handful of others but he's not on my "must have" list — but this album stands out as absolutely brilliant. I didn't fall into a trance on this listen, Gabriel's vocals actually wore on me just a little, but hell, for the personal history and the extraordinary material on here, this was never in doubt of being a 5. Add in duets with two of my all-time faves (Bush and Anderson) and we're further elevated. I appreciate that he still gets weird in the midst of a seriously pop effort, and damn, this record does sound incredible.

God, what an album. Such a fine example of an artist achieving superstardom without compromising their vision. While I enjoyed this at this time, I never loved it. I was wrong. Too young to grok how great this was. Every song is catchy and accessible but also densely populated with intricate and often weird details. Strange time signatures, exotic instruments, songs that take unexpected turns. The lyrics are fantastic. The guest performances iconic. And Peter's singing is expressive without being over-emotive. This gets my vote for best album of the '80s.

What an album. What a guy!

Best Pop album of the 80ies. Powerful sounds, unsual chord changes and the melancholic voice of Peter Gabriel driven by dynamic beats. I celebrated it back in 1986 and do celebrating it still!

One of my faves

One of the best albums of the 80s, just perfect

I had only heard Sledgehammer from this album before going in, but I was familiar with Gabriel's reputation as a formidable musician. However, nothing prepared me for this stonking great album. I was listening on a pretty crap set of headphones and it sounded killer. Switched to the proper set-up and So sounded even better. How is this possible? Great! And that's before you get me started on the songs. Intelligent pop music with hooks to spare and interesting little books everywhere. I realised I had heard "Don't Give Up" with Kate Bush before - on that track I really fell in love with Gabriel's tone of voice. I was so in the zone with this album that I was shocked when it ended after just 46 sublime minutes. Sidenote: I found it interesting that this album was released about a month after Tim Finn's Big Canoe album. Two 1970s art school kids in a weird band going big 80s pop with wider cultural commentary. But oh wow, Gabriel's album just drowns out what Tim Finn achieved with Big Canoe. So does everything Big Canoe did but just better and stronger. Must've felt pretty devastating to release the album you thought would be your big commercial breakthrough and just a month later Gabriel's album lands. Ooft.

MASTERPIECE!

Peter Gabriel's best album. His creative mind shines throughout this. 10/10

Incredible music from an incredible artist that I’ve listened to for almost 45 years! I’ve seen him twice and actually touched him once when he used to crowd surf during ‘Lay Your Hands On Me’. No question that this is a true 5 star release both in objective quality and my love for the recording.

Masterpiece

good stuff

Exceptional album

Perfect album. Excellent vocal. Sledgehammer and Big Time are the masterpieces. This Is The Picture, Red Rain and Don't Give Up are the perfect hits too.

So this is my second album of the day(The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu, dogshit). Peter Gabriel can write bangers about his penis 5/5 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fFHPUk4TS3Y

A brilliant songwriter at the top of his craft. One of my all time favorite albums. “Mercy Street” alone is worth 5 stars

This is, perhaps, my favorite album of all time. From the opening "Red Rain" to the real closer, "Excellent Birds," to me, it's just a perfect record. Some of that is nostalgia, of course, but it's the combination of instrumentation, emotional resonance, and incredible production...and some of the best songs of his career. Some might think of it as his "commercial" album and, yes, I've gotten pretty tired of "Sledgehammer" over the years, but this is the one for me. I don't understand why "In Your Eyes" was moved to the end of the album. For me, it will always be the start of side 2. Other than that, perfection.

So has everything.. gigantic pop hooks on Sledgehammer and Big Time, evocative lyrics, percussion and vocals from Brazil to West Africa, Kate Bush. Pretty easy 5 stars, sound is very 80s but in the best way

Great album, I remember listening to it a lot when it came out. Truly not a bad song on the album, some tracks are better than others but nothing is skip-worthy. Hits "Red Rain", "Sledgehammer", "Don't Give Up" with Kate Bush, "Big Time" & "In Your Eyes" are all still heavily played on the radio today. Even "Mercy Street" was a minor hit. That's a helluva lineup of songs! Huge video success as well for most of those tracks. Glue tracks like "That Voice Again" & "We Do What We're Told" help connect the 9 tracks. Great voice, top notch musicianship, a sound that has stood up well and still gets tons of airplay. Very worthy album to make the Top1001. 4 solid stars. Forced me to explore older PG albums today, thanks!

Musically very good. Good recording, nice layers, solid execution.

I had not listened to this album in a long time. It is great again, with such a special voice. Maybe not every track is perfect but the album as a whole has such a special vibe that it merits five stars.

If the aim is to make an album I’ll listen to on repeat for half a day, this one has succeeded. Love it.

This album is flawless.

very nice. nostalgic af

One of my favorite all time albums. Nothing really sounds like it 40 years later.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to rate this album. Loved it when it came out and would have given it an easy 5. But that hasn’t always been the case with other albums that were favorites 35 years ago. But this one holds up. Layers of sound - and Peter Gabriel certainly knows how to put together a song.

Full of world class musicianship and complex themes. And hits - rightfully so.

Love this album and every song hits for me. Teasing me with some Kate Bush in don’t give up will always make me happy.

Wyśmienita uczta

This album was my first introduction to Peter's solo work. It is a very well-written and well-produced album. The instrumentals, lyrics, and overall atmosphere it creates make me want to listen to it on a cloudy, rainy day. It showcases great musicianship and is a perfect example of a truly talented, dedicated, and inspirational individual - leaving Genesis in its peak, yet becoming a successful solo artist

Great album, one that I had forgotten over the years.

I like Peter Gabriel so, anything by him is great. :)

One of the most innovative, impactful albums ever made. 5/5

Possibly one of the best albums I bought in the 80s. Still brilliant. AND you get Kate Bush. Stands up 40 years on. Gabriel's solo masterpiece.

Groundbreaking 80s pop - some monster hits in here. Bonus points if you go listen to New Blood from 2011 - Peter Gabriel’s music at its most stripped back and refined.

An album that I loved during my teen years which sounds richer and even more complex when listened to using good speakers or headphones. So well produced.

Endlessly inventive with rhythm, melody, arranements and themes - a brilliant musician.

Distinctive, creative, crafts a layered soundscape graced by Peter Gabriel’s voice, lyrics, guests vocalists, Brazilian and Afrobeat touches. 5 hit singles out of 8 tracks tells you something including time-tested classics like Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes. Count me a new Peter Gabriel fan.

Great album. One that's Kind of pop in places but always it's own thing. The duet with Kate Bush is fitting as Peter Gabriel's the Male version of here in many ways.

Да

This is even better than I remember!

I'd forgotten how many good tracks Peter Gabriel has. It was a treat to listen to this album.

This sound uniquely belongs to Peter Gabriel. It wears its era on its sleave, but it's also very well produced and full of unique and non-formulaic pop sounds, which solves many of my issues with a lot of pop. Even the biggest song here, Sledgehammer, brings in these cool wood flutes just before the final call and response portion of the song. Flairs like this are present all over and really elevate the album. Other highlights are the almost awkward Don't Give Up duet, Big Time, and We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37). Always down for more Peter Gabriel.

Great instrumental passages. In some songs the singing style reminds me of Sting. I love the song Don't Give Up with Kate Bush.

If you had to bet on Genesis era Peter Gabriel writing an album of fun pop masterpieces and beautiful poignant ballads would you have?

So…is a favorite. Haven’t listened to it entirety since the late 80s. One of the positives of this 1001 experience is revisiting albums long forgotten the totality of old favorites. Great memories of great music.

I don’t think I ever listened carefully to Mercy Street before, wow, atmospheric, emotional, powerful.

Fantastic. It still sounds contemporary and not from 1986.

Great album. Peter Gabriel's most mainstream album. Great tunes

SO, this a pretty good album, amirite? *I am pulled off stage by a pack of rabid chimpanzees*

.

Although most people would argue the previous album is better, this is still a classic album for me. It's really the first one (for me) that introduced me to the world of Tony Levin ("Big Time," my GOD.) It's what made Gabriel jump from being an avant-garde artist to a world-famous pop star, if but for a moment. Sure, "Sledgehammer" was overplayed, but again, there's a reason for that: it's a catchy, catchy song. (The video helped as well.). "Red Rain" now sounds like a song Bruce Springsteen might be able to cover. I just wish the ending didn't go on so long, I feel like they could have cut 30 seconds or so off of it with a fade out, and he could perform the bit live. Even some of the weaker songs are good "That Voice Again," "We Do What We're Told" (very haunting piece), "This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)" Finishing it off with... probably the biggest song PG had made. It's the song every teenage girl knew at that time. Youssou N'Dour does a great counterbalance for this song. It teeters between a 4 and a 5. If I was tired of the "hits" I'd give it a 4, but I am not tired of them. The relistenability of the album is a big factor of me nudging it up to a 5. So, 5 it is.

Just last week I heard In Your Eyes on the radio and wondered when I might see this album show up on the 1001 list. And here it is. I'm pretty sure my cousin had this album and I listened to it a few times as a teenager. Certainly I knew all the singles but I wanted to listen to the whole album. If you followed Gabriel all the way from Genesis I can see how you might dislike how accessible or commercial it feels. But I love it. Some of his best songs even if they are not his most complex songs. The upbeat ones - Sledgehammer and Big Time - are so fun but they still have a lot of irony. The subdued ones - Red Rain, Don't Give Up (wish Kate Bush was a little more subdued), Mercy Street, We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37) - still have a lot of lyrical depth and are hauntingly good. Those last two in particular - Gabriel is well read and pours it into his songs. That Voice Again and This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds) are somewhere in between, but still with some cool beats and great Gabriel energy. And then there's In Your Eyes. What an amazing song - the uplifting lyrics, the musical arrangements that blend different genres (including African beats, like some of his earlier work), Youssou N'Dour's fantastic guest vocals at the end, Gabriel's fantastic vocals throughout. One of my favorite songs of all time. Like I said, I love this album.

One of my favorite albums of all time. Perfection in every way - amazing songwriting, pristine production, outstanding musicianship - this is a desert island disk for me and has been since its release. What's particularly amazing is the leap it represents from his 4 previous solo albums (which were all outstanding in their own right). Three of the lesser-known songs sound like they fit a bit more with his previous output - That Voice Again (man, his singing on the line "only love can make love"), We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37 - as in the Milgram obedience studies), and This is the Picture (Excellent Birds - today is the first time I listened to the Laurie Anderson version - this one is more fully developed). But let's talk about the more well known tracks: Red Rain - incredibly powerful and probably a surprise to anyone who thinks this is an album of Sledgehammers and Big Times; Sledgehammer - sure it was played a zillion times on MTV so I should be tired of it, but it's still a great song to me (although I'd argue the weakest of the greats on this album!); Don't Give Up - incredibly sad, incredibly beautiful, with gorgeous guest vocals from Kate Bush; Mercy Street - such a beautiful song...love the harmonies and the lyrics; Big Time - amazing bass line, produced by Jerry Marotta using drumsticks on Tony Levin's bass, which led to the invention of Tony's iconic "funk fingers"; finally, In Your Eyes - an all-time great song - powerful, beautiful, a perfect track in every way (aside: I never liked that the 2002 remaster put it at the end of the album. For me it's always the first song on Side 2). Even though I've heard this album a million times, I gave it the same close listen I give every album on the 1001 and came to the same conclusion I always do: an absolute masterpiece.

So is the fifth solo album from Peter Gabriel, and the most successful release of his career. Gabriel initially found fame in Genesis, and his solo work is similar to the dramatic, orchestrated pop he helped create in that band. Gabriel supported So with a series of very successful videos, and the album benefitted from MTV during its height. So includes some of Gabriel's biggest hit singles: "Sledgehammer," "Big Time," and "In your Eyes." These songs are iconic elements of 80's pop, and helped Gabriel define the progressive rock side of 80s pop music.

I really enjoy listening to Peter Gabriel, and I know this album really well, an easy 5 star listen for me.

This album has some of the best bass lines in all of popular music. Tony Levin is an absolute genius. The players on this album are numerous. Often supplementing his core band with someone who brings a special spice where it's needed. For example, the opening track "Red Rain" features Stewart Copeland just playing hi-hat. 2/3 of the album are Greatest Hits entries, and the remaining 3 tracks are great, even if they're too experimental for general consumption. This is an easy 5 star album.

A pivotal 80s record. Even if you hate it, you’ll love it.

So nostalgic, with an iconic video and movie scene. I can't rate this anything other than 5.

Phenomenal album. For me, the last of his truly interesting works.

Amazing album and many songs I grew up with!

Pre-listening thoughts: beginning of last year i was in this crazy music rut and I could not find anything interesting from my usual catalog to listen to. Sledgehammer played on my Spotify and I literally felt my world shift. Made a 10 hr playlist because of it and added other 60s-80s music I started to find and enjoy. Then made two MORE 10 hr playlists because I enjoyed making the first one so much. So thank you Peter Gabriel for encouraging me to find 30+ hours worth of really great retro music. Cannot believe my dad said he was “so-so” (and for once, the pun was not intended). Post/during listening thoughts: this is just really great 80s pop dude. Every single track here is a certified banger. Plus a Kate Bush feature can’t go wrong. I love u Peter Gabriel and I’m also sorry I doubted your work with Genesis way earlier in this challenge. 9.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: me personally yes. But I think that may not be true for everyone. I think everyone needs to find their Sledgehammer. Fav tracks: SLEDGEHAMMER!!!! But I liked the rest too 😋 Least fav tracks: n/a

Yeah this is a 5. I'll listen again

This is a must, seminal album. Gabriel is fully divorced from Genesis, and totally on his own, Amazing how sometime an album just really comes together! great performances by Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson! One of my all times top 10s

Su disco más completo y aclamado. La triada inicial es formidable. Musicalmente es muy completo, con colaboraciones nada menos que de David Rhodes, Daniel Lanois, Nile Rodgers, Bill Laswell, Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, el excelente bajo de Tony Levin en Sledgehammer (y The Memphis Horns) además de un entonces desconocido Youssou N´Dour. Por fin un disco con título (tampoco es que So fuera un gran título) despues de Peter Gabriel 1 (Car), Peter Gabriel 2 (Scratch), Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt) y Peter Gabriel 4 (Security). La portada tampoco es la mejor, pero funcionó. Es un álbum comercial, las melodías son muy buenas, pero no pierde un ápice de calidad ni de innovación, empleando los mejores sintetizadores de la época (Fairlight, Prophet o el Yamaha CS-80). That voice again sirve de punto de partida lo que será el excelente Passion de la película de Scorsese The Last Temptation of Christ. In Your Eyes, cuenta con N´Dour y Katché, inspirada en Gaudí y la Sagrada Familia. Mercy Street con Djalma Correa tomando el control de la percusión. Big time es otro de sus mejores temas (cuenta con otro vídeo en stop motion, similar en estilo al de “Sledgehammer”). El final con This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)”, compuesta por Gabriel y Laurie Anderson, es fabuloso. Este fue uno de los discos del 86 junto Graceland (que se llevó el Grammy a disco del año).

Great record

Peter Gabriel has always been somewhat of an enigma to me. From the early Genesis stuff and early 80s work, I never really got him. But this album is fantastic. Easily his most accessible and commercial albums, he gets the absolute most of out 80s production values while exploring a wide range of subjects. From the bombastic and cautionary "Big Time" to the introspective self doubt in "Hear that Voice Again" and need for love in "Mercy Street" navigates complex topics with grace, power, and care at the same time. Look past the hits and enjoy this Lanois produced gem.