Reviews (page 6 of 13)
# Playlist Track - Sledgehammer # Notes - Pretty good album! I love the opening, but "Sledgehammer" is *definitely* the shining star here. - Bonus: If you haven't seen the music video for it, you're in for a treat! - I've been *fascinated* with this music video since school. It's amazing what they've done with the technology of the time (my time, lol). - Still, solid track.
I immediately liked the first song. Such an epic way to open an album, this rarely happens to me but for an ‘80s song this managed to impress me a lot. It has tight production, a good amount of groove, and enough atmospheric layers for me to enjoy. To me this feels ahead of its time. The level of production is almost surreal for 1986. There’s a warmth to it even when Gabriel is diving into heavier emotional areas. In some ways it almost reminds me of an older version of Radiohead, especially in how the electronics are used to build that atmospheric, layered ambience. It also reminds me of Pink Floyd, Phil Collins, and Genesis, only for me to then find out that Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel were actually bandmates in Genesis. “Don’t Give Up” features Kate Bush, which is so cool too :) Most songs in the album are my favourites! Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, That Voice Again, Mercy Street, Big Time, We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37), This is the Picture (Excellent Birds), In Your Eyes
Yah I didn’t realize how great of a voice Peter Gabriel has. And I also was super blown away by the production and instrumentation quality. Like it’s so clean and crisp, and it’s got that 80s funk to it which I love. It’s embarrassing how many of the songs on this album over heard a thousand times and always thought it was Phil Collin’s for some reason. I kinda think they sound similar. But regardless, the only problem I had personally with this album is I only ended up saving like 3 songs and those were the massive hits. The rest of the album isn’t bad just forgettable. Also the strongest aspect of his entire career is how sick sledgehammer is and how inventive and mind blowing the music video is. I don’t think I’ve ever complimented a music video in my reviews so far because I don’t think it’s important/relevant to my review. But honestly it might be hands down one of the greatest music videos of all time. It’s so iconic and fun that you could show it to someone of any age and any background and they will find something about it to enjoy. But at the end of the day I feel this is another album held up solely by the 3 massive hit songs on the album. Make of that what you will but go watch the Sledgehammer music video!
Quirky whimsical melodies, not what I expected. Reasonable for the era
Not too shabby. Pretty descent 80s pop hits some of which i've heard before. 3/5
Super fun
I'm not the world's biggest fan of the Genesis sound, so this album didn't really impress me either. Some good hits here and there (especially in that Kate Bush feature), but even breakout hits like Sledgehammer aren't the same without the music video. Fav tracks: Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, We Do What We're Told
This album floats between two worlds. One is a sleek, sophisticated take on 80s synthesizer pop. The best songs - "Red Rain" and "In Your Eyes" are in that mode. These songs are also weirdly empty though. The synthesizers are smooth, without intricate accents or percussion. This is most apparent on the pretty but overlong "Don't Give Up." The other world is big 80s pop, like on "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time." Weirdly, those songs feel less hooky than their more subdued albummates. Maybe they sound too big next to the more subtle tracks? This is an interesting one because it presents the sounds of the 80s next to what the 80s could sound like with more sophistication. It's nice, but both sounds are lacking in their own way. Which is a shame - an album that's all as good as the chorus of "Red Rain" would be incredible.
If this project does nothing except introduce me to Peter Gabriel’s solo career, it will be a success.
It’s not entirely Pete’s fault that some of this sounds like the ubiquitous soundtrack of roughly any 80s movie - I can see young strivers going up staircases to the tune of That Voice Again on some important task from Gotcha to Secret of My Success to The Manhattan Project’s myriad montages juxtaposing soccer practice and atomic bomb creation. I like So and might even love it if I could get past some of the more sappy moments, although Sledgehammer and Big Time are maybe the first memories I have of coming to dislike songs simply because they were played on MTV or the radio too much - you could not escape this album in throughout 1986 and 87! But it’s fun to go back to...almost 40...years later. Excellent Birds is further evidence I don’t care too much for Laurie Anderson, but that’s me and performance artists and along with the somewhat misunderstood Milgram’s 37 both feel like odd-fitting add-ons (or cast-offs as the case was) from different projects to keep So from being too, too commercial. Which is kinda silly.
OK
Is this really just a vehicle for “Sledgehammer” to make this list? I have seen enough movies and been to enough grocery stores to know what awaits me under that ten pounds of lead, but what worries me is the rest of this. We have to pad out an entire record with songs that are conceivably even worse than Sledgehammer? Not my day. Oh well, start smashing away at my cranium Big Pete. I’m ready to hate again. Red Rain - Brian Adams for pseudo-intellectuals. You see peasant I don’t listen to your mainstream “Summer of ‘69.” I listen to a guy who does the same shitty thing but he is British and has a synth player. I am simply on an elevated plane. Sledgehammer - Hammer Smashed Face was actually about the hammer in this song. Amazing how nepotism tinges the music industry. Did he say “open up your fruit cage?” Jesus Christ. Well. This is zero stars. Not even flute can save you. Don’t Give Up - That’s right, don’t give your IP address to anybody. They could discover that you listened to Peter Gabriel. That backing vkcal is HORRIBLE. So cheesy. I have never seen a better advertisement for suicide in my life. That Voice Again - oof this friggin’ BLOWS. In Your Eyes - Big garbaggio’s theme song. From the Dump Barge festooned off the coast of StinkTown USA, Weighing in at 682 pounds, the disgusting one, BIG GARBAGGIO. He is pelted with garbage (it is a beautiful compliment) Mercy Street - Please pay me some of the mercy that may be found in this street. Big Time - Can you use the word in a sentence? Yes. Peter Gabriel’s 1986 album “So” sucks Big Time. Ahh yes. B-I-G T-I-M-E. We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37) - History doesn’t smile upon the “we were just following orders” defence. This really is bad to me. I’m sorry. I just don’t like pop for the most part, and when I see the internet ordain certain pop albums as somehow elevated, I just get irritated. Im sure it’s because of my stunted intellect but I just dint care for most of the sounds pop has to offer. Yes, this is obviously an artistic cut above an LMFAO release from 2009 or Ke$ha’s greatest hits but I still think it’s a weak, watery grave that I was ensnared in for the interminable length that this record went. I’m no David Blaine, so unfortunately I just drowned. That’s the real Mindfreak. Magic heads, don’t get mad that I mixed up the two most famous magicians. Blow your trumpet, Gabriel. Get me outta here. 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Noooo. Nah. Uhh. Nooo. I’m sorry. Yeah uh huh. No, yeah I’m sorry no. Yup, nope. Yeah uh huh. Yep, nope I’m afraid. Yeah. Alright. Oook. buh bye now.
Red Rain Sledgehammer Don't Give Up Mercy Street Big Time In Your Eyes
Great album! Good vibes and the last song is such an ear worm for me.
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.
Äh, det här var nirr! Tycker inte alls det är så jävla daterad produktion. 4 dansande grillade kyllingar
Slightly odd: felt a little like a concept album
A contender for best album of the 80s, even if there are a couple of duds toward the end of this.
Tråkigt!
Efter att ha kontemplerat till PG har min känslighet fördubblats. Jag har alltid fnyst åt hans soloprojekt tidigare pga att genesis var så bra. Huge mistake. Tony Levin på fretless bass 🤤
Det är som dom där gamla low fat chipsen man av outgrundlig anledning ibland snaxade på i sin ungdom. Rätt gott men inte tillräckligt gott för att ge någon tillfredsställelse men inte heller så mycket msg att man mår illa så man liksom ringer upp chipsen och albumet och det/dom bara pågår och hur ska man egentligen ta den liknelsen i mål? Och ja, Kate Nashbush är ju den stora behållningen men det är ju egentligen bara för jag sett stranger things för asså helvete vilken scen det ändå var. Farligt nära en etta den här plattan.
team philadelphia collins!
Som att lyssna till Phil Collins sjunga till rederiets soundtrack. Räddas från ettan av låten med Kate Bush och In your eyes (som Phil Collins Tarzanlåt fast sämre). Så överdrivet städat sound. Musik för 80-talsyuppies...och Dino.
Mindblowing!
Another lost 80's record
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".
Not my preferred vehicle for Peter Gabriel, but the album is great.
Donkey Kong Country-ass Music (complimentary)
Great album, I have listen to it many times in the past
I really didn’t enjoy this. Musically very clunky and although I know Peter Gabriel is an intelligent man the lyrics here are pretty plodding.
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.
Sledgehammer and I'm your eyes are classics, but tonally different from the rest of the album. Rest of the album doesn't really stand out to me. Red Rain is pretty good I guess. Excellent Birds is kinda funny, they do be excellent Birds
When this album started off, I thought I was going to rank it pretty high even with the 80s pop label. Red Rain into Sledgehammer was a fantastic start to the album. It slowed down after that into a ballad, then pepped up a bit for That Voice Again. Unfortunately, side 2 was where things really started to drag for me. Aside from In Your Eyes, I didn't care much for the last half of the album. It felt much more boring and drawn out compared to the liveliness of the first side. Similar to what I said about Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms, I think they needed to break up the track listing a little more to mix the upbeat stuff and the slower stuff better. I felt So was better about that, but still had sections that just got boring as they went. That brings down the relisten-ability for me. So, I ended up with a mostly so-so opinion about So. I liked Gabriel's voice and the diverse instrumentation he used. There were several songs that really were top-tier on there. That said, the rest of the album ranged from mostly fine to just meh. I'm much more likely to listen to the few songs I liked rather than the whole thing again. I still think it was good generally, just not as good as I had hoped it'd be from how it started. Overall: 3.3/5
This is my favorite PG and the first in a trilogy of masterpieces: So --> Us --> Up
i wasn't there in 1986 so i don't know what it was that made everyone lose their minds over this but it's SUCH an 80s album, down to the world music infusion coupled with digital synths. you hear the genesis ALL OVER THIS and kate bush is very welcome on this album but the standout for me wasn't the new wave but the melancholy ambiance on mercy street. VERY TENDER, VERY BEAUTIFUL...let me call my dad....
okay i liked this! it was fun! i mean like two songs were a lil ?? but i enjoyed it and i enjoyed the lore juyeon told me about him. good job peter!!!! I ALSO KNOW IN YOUR EYES I AM NOT THAT MUCH OF A MUSICAL FAILURE HELL YEAH
Vabbè peter gabriel grande voce (phil collins merda). Oltre a sledgehammer che è iconica mi è piaciuta molto don’t give up con kate bush
It's a pretty fun listen but I am partial to 80's pop
2. First listen. Lyrics feel basic and uninteresting & production has kept it firmly in the 80's, not connecting and not enjoyable
So-so, more like it.
Boo
Very pleasant listen. Standout tracks: Sledgehammer, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes
I enjoyed this at a 3 or 4 and appreciate how good it is at a 4 or 5. Each song sets its own feeling, story, has its own uniqueness. Yet the album blends to its own identity too.
1. Red Rain - good. 4* 2. Sledgehammer - OK. Don't really understand why it's the most popular. 3pt 3-6 forgettable. 2* x 4 7. We do What We're Told - OK. Seemed like it could have been an intro to a longer, better song. 3* 8. Didn't really like 2* 9. In Your Eyes - Love it, a classic 5* Avg = 2.78*, rounded to3*
Very 80s but some classic songs and amazing bass
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.
There's something very Disney about In Your Eyes, but overall a pretty good album. I need to listen to it again. 3.5/5
B+
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.
"Sledgehammer" and "In your eyes" are all timers. I was pleasantly surprised to see Kate Bush make an appearance in "Don't Give Up" but the rest of this was not for me.
Ballads, kinda naf. Didn't do anything for me. Wasn't a bad album but I really wanted it to finish
Got some classic songs in it (sledgehammer, don't give up), but the songs aren't quite as punchy as other classic 80s albums
Kul, grem dokaj na slepo, razen zadnji komad (vidim, da je v večini verzijah sicer 5. komad?) poznam & ga mam na par playlistah, ker je a banger. Všečen začetek z "Red Rain". "Sledgehammer" se začne z neko piščaljo (shakuhachi - glede na wiki, japonska piščal, ma kasneje v komadu še majhen solo) & že misliš kva bo, pol pa najbl bobni udarijo in začnejo ritem. Kul komad. Ker zraven gledam wiki, sm si na začetku komada pokvarila, da bo v "Don't Give Up" tud Kate Bush. Evo jo. Sj je unmistakeably ona. Na splošno bolj miren komad sicer. U, kul bassline prot koncu komada. "That Voice Again" mi je prou fajn. In zdej "Mercy Street" (namesto komada, ki ga poznam, jebiga, djmo se držat tega vrstnega redu, ki ga mam). Začetek mi je zelo cinematic, počasen. Ma cel je tak. Kul. Uf, "Big Time" se poj ful preveč udarno začne, te čist ven vrže iz vajba, k ga je prejšnji komad ustvaril. Ta mi je manj ljub. Aggressively 80s. "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)" je zanimiv. Čist neki drugačnega. Ozadje je tud zanimiv. "This Is the Picture (Excellent Birds)" je prou tako zanimiv instrumentalno. Bi blo čist logično, da je to zadnji komad, ne vem zakaj morjo dirat reči, ki so ok, kot so. In komad, ki ga poznam, "In Your Eyes". Ta mi je obviously všeč. Hud je, všeč mi je kako progressa. Vse.
His fifth album. Pop. This is such a slick 80s album. I actually quite like the production on this one. Don't Give Up is a good track. Gabriel's vocals compliment Kate Bush really well. Overall it's a nice album but it just doesn't really grab me at any point.
Bland. Not enjoyable. Much rather just listen to genesis.
115 Vi el nombre del artista tantas veces pensando que era Juan Gabriel, que me costó ajustarme a lo que estaba escuchando. Full 80ero con aires a Phill Collins. Mejh?
Gabriel seems to have ditched more of his stranger ideas and comes out with a great mid-80's pop album. It still has the weirder elements here for his fans, but you have to peek into the darker corners. Best Tracks: Red Rain; Sledgehammer; Big Time
Bland
This is going in the "not for me" pile. I appreciate the craft behind these songs, and I recognize that this is some of the best pop music of the time. But I'm kind of allergic to that 80s pop sound.
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.
crying from the first notes we had this album around the house and in the car growing up reminds me of driving around with my dad haven't listened in truly decades but it's very burned into my brain revisiting as an adult is so nice it feels like it captures a wide stretch of human emotion and experience in fine detail and while it is so deeply sincere, it still feels cool and surprising and neither easy, boring, or obvious love his voice, delivery, the arrangements and overall production
This took me to another dimension.
Never really been my thing. Enjoy the hits on this one, and there's some nice moments I hadn't heard before but largely forgettable for me.
I was skeptical of this record because it was so omnipresent in my early 20s. Pleasantly surprised at how good it is. The playing - particularly the bass - is excellent and the songs are for the most part strong.
Bi-modal reaction: the big booming hits are still great; the meditative songs have become unlistenable.
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.
This was less annoying than I remembered (although I did groan audibly at "hi there!"); the production isn't too overwhelming and the songs are ok. As monster albums of my college years go, I'd put it above Graceland and well below Cyndi.
Don't Give Up was unexpectedly profound. Definitely the highlight for me. In Your Eyes was probably the best of the more typical sounding tracks. There are particular synth sounds throughout that make it sound cheaper than I think it deserves (though they were no doubt quite exciting and experimental at the time). 👍Don't Give Up
- falando em grandes letristas, temos um dos maiores de todos os tempos - não conheço a discografia solo dele, mas esse álbum parece um apelo ao mercado brit pop com influências de soul e ritmos africanos - é uma experiência, cada música da um tom diferente e gera imersão, com momentos descontraídos e reflexivos
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
4/5
3, but good 3.
Maybe I'm just not a Pete Gabriel guy but I can live with that fact. Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are the only enjoyable songs off this one for me.
Wow
Oh good a Peter Gabriel album! I'm biased here I think I own or owned all of his stuff. I have listened to it so much I have heard these track in years yet knew the beats and lyrics. I'm in the bag. The 80's were weird for music a lot going on and Gabriel used a lot of the idea of art and music for his stuff. He used a lot of layers and influences in his music. Performance art at his shows. The man's music has an interesting mix of drama and freedom in his music. Some of it feels heavy yet you aren't burdened by it. Great album. I hope some of his later stuff is on the list. I have been listening to his stuff recently anyway but it's enjoyable coming across an artist you have many great experiences with already.
Much better than expected.
Bit of a mixed bag. Some pop naff in there. Sledge Hammer holds the whole thing up
1986 I actually bought this in '86 (don't have it any longer). There's some good deep cuts here (Red Rain, This Is The Picture) providing a welcome break from the ubiquitous hits that are unfortunately overplayed. Good to hear again though, despite the over-produced 80s sound. Heard before ✅️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ probably no need ★★★☆☆ (6/10)
Not really me but it’s not bad
Day 68 7/10 Highlights Red Rain Sledgehammer Big Time
Listening to Peter Gabriel brought me back to fond memories. I listened to the album as I was going to work. Fantastic!
The Genesis vocalist narrowed his progressive tendencies on this widely popular album, gravitating to an amalgam of pop, funk, and some sort of British heartland folk. Shades of Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen all figure in the makeup of this record, tho consciously or not I'm unsure. The trouble is that he's neither Stevie nor the Boss, and while he's squarely superior to Duran Duran, he's just as forgettable. I don't think it's a matter of the album's unfavorable 80s affect - I'm not one to decry a period piece. I think it boils down to 1) his pretensions and lyrical failings; 2) his cheesiness and prosaic vocals; and 3) the knowledge that there's way better music out there. In short, it bored and chagrinned me.
There were times when it was easy and thought provoking but I found myself meandering through this album, which ultimately means it wasn’t that interesting to dedicate my full attention to it
1 extra star for "In Your Eyes"
Nice blend of pop, rock and some soulful lyrics. At times it can be really emotionally charged and then at other times its just funky and smooth. I liked the number with Kate Bush. But also loved the more upbeat tracks like Sledgehammer. Vocally very strong and unique sounding. I love the layered backing vocals, almost another instrument. So many textures, really produced to an exceptional level. Every little detail is spot on, especially listening with headphones. Also love the attention to subtle rhythms. Even on slower tracks the percussion and bass keep songs alive. Enjoyed. Favourite track - In Your Eyes. 8/10
Reminds me of Phil Collins, not for me but good
I can see why this is a must listen. It sounds gorgeous.
It’s chill
Some good tracks but a bit dated
I love this album.
Chill 80s rock
Had a few great songs but a lot of it jst soundes ok
M'ha encantat sa cançó amb sa que obri s'album (Red Rain). M'ha duit es bon humor, super top.
Awful
Great album that I didn’t appreciate in the 80s because I was a kid.
When I was a kid, I used to hate maths. During each lesson, I would make exactly one drinking fountain break and one toilet break. This would ensure I would spend as little time as possible in the lesson. My year 8 teacher, understood this. She was always ready for it. Bless her, that's probably why I followed in her footsteps. I knew I'd hate this album. I left the room to fill my water bottle twice, went to the toilet twice. It stunk. Why do we keep getting this jerk?! It's just lame Phil Collins-esque 80s music. Sledgehammer?! What a dumb song. Yeah, fine, there was a little bit of musical entertainment in the odd baseline throughout. But it's just an old guy making crap music. Stop giving it to us. No stars! Oh, I mean 1 star!
This album is like a young professional in the 80s. He is a go-getter at work, and his aptitude for mergers and acquisitions has led him to wealth beyond what he deserves. He drives a flash sports car that has a built in phone. He’s got electric blue suits, ray ban sunglasses and a $250 haircut. Everything looks perfect. But this guy’s smile (and artificially whitened teeth), hide a darkness in his soul. He was having an affair with his PA at work, and his wife found out. She’s moved out and taken their two year old child with her. The PA is now blackmailing him into fast tracking her career. It’s Wednesday night and he’s ripping the seal off the second bottle of whiskey for the week. His last big deal fell through and he doesn’t know if he can make his bonus numbers for the month.
Not bad, but a bit too much "of its time" with the music and instruments and some oarys felt forced. But listenable.
I was nine years old, homeschooled, and roaming up and down the West Coast in a Toyota Chinook with my mom when So came out…so needless to say, it completely passed me by. No radio hits, no MTV, just miles of adventures and a lot of imagination. By the time I hit thirteen and finally got the green light for MTV, Sledgehammer burst onto the screen and what a revelation. A true banger and visual feast. That stop-motion chicken? Iconic.
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.
#737. There sure is a lot of Peter Gabriel on this list, isn't there? 3/5: fine.
Super enjoyable and easy to get into, like the quality of these songs is quite undeniable. Peter Gabriel's vocals are super powerful, he really makes you feel every words he's saying. It's the sort of music that just takes you on a journey to its own world. Sledgehammer is so cool, sounds so massive and funky, the grooves are crazy and has an amazing triumphant energy to it. Contrarily, Don't Give Up is beautifully gentle and minimal, but doesn't need much except for the strong vocals and atmosphere. The bass outro is really cool too. I love the kinda mysterious vibes of Mercy Street and the instrumentation is so lush and serene. Big time is so funky, just made me wanna damce even tho I was dead from hiking while listening. We Do What We're Told is a decent closer but not super exciting. Really like this album, it's a great expression of romance and romantic struggles and is a great contributions to one of the most consistent discographies I've heard.
My first touch to Peter Gabriel's music. "Red Rain" is a powerful start to an album with a lot of energy that gets you hyped up. The first song with the beginning of "Sledgehammer" really feels like the album building up. I love the bass/guitar in that song. Such an uplifting song that just grabs you and you get so drawn to the instrumentals. So many levels to it as well! An almost perfect song. Kate Bush is great in the next song "Don't Give Up". After two massively energetic songs this is where you just close your eyes, calm down and enjoy the heavenly sounds. The bass in the end is amazing. The songs fade away making space to the next one. Ok in "That Voice Again" the energy is back. The bells in "Mercy Street" are hypnotic. Sort of a spooky and melancholic atmosphere. (Unsurprisingly) energy is back with "Big Time"! I love that none of the songs sound similar to each other. Not at all surprised this album was huge. I am not even sure how to describe "We Do What We're Told" or "This Is The Picture". I like them a little less than the other ones. "In Your Eyes" sounds like a celebration and has this Lion King soundtrack vibe to it.
What happen to the b side? In your eyes saves this album.
Whatever the opposite of “timeless appeal” is. An earnest, serious entry from Peter Gabriel that maybe even in 1986 was starting to be overtaken by more pure pop and heavier music elsewhere. It has some decent synth moments and Sledgehammer is a decent tune, but it’s missing the poppier elements you’d expect from a Genesis album. I don’t think it quite tips into parody but not far off. An album probably best left in the 80s.
So genesis vibes (my mum confirmed this thought / connection as she has album in her collection and happened to see her on same day) and we got a little Babooshka from Kate Bush no less. Not sure on the Kate input as was just as engaging as listening to your voice in a tunnel. ECHO...Echo....echo. I think this has aged a bit but has interesting elements. Its solid in almost all regards. Cant say I hate anything. I just think the plinky plonky, pan pibe / bells things just isnt for me. Its like your favourite pants that have been in the wash with that bright red jumper. I will wear the pants as nothing wrong with them but that day something changed!
This album is full-pelt artistic earnestness from the get-go and it's a bit difficult to take seriously. The upbeat tracks like 'Sledgehammer' are pretty good but in a very 80's synth pop way. He has a great voice and a unique style. The album has great sounding production which I've come to expect from this period. At first listen, this is a long way from the prog-rock of Genesis although you can still hear some influences, for example in 'Mercy Street'. It's a bit too mainstream pop for my tastes but definitely stands up as a great example of UK 80's music.
Got bored of it quickly - found i had to push through to listen
Masterpiece.
Solid album from Peter Gabriel considering the others I’ve gotten on this list were disappointing. I was glad to finally get one of his albums where I actually knew a song. Outside of Sledgehammer, I didn’t really know the rest, but I enjoyed it overall
kate bush feature was the best thing about this album. 3/5
day 14: pretty decent 80s pop, some nice experimental droney stuff going on too. kate bush influence goes hard.
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.
Painfully 80s but some really well-constructed pop tunes.
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."
Pretty solid
I mean….this is a 5-star album. The end.
Great album, enjoyed it, hearing Kate Bush was cool
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.
He intentado escuchar este disco varias veces. No entiendo su prestigio ni el de este señor como cantante. Podría hacer de padre de los Gallagher en un biopic, eso sí. Tras la escucha, realmente me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. Sigue sin ser un cantante excepcional, pero la ambientación es muy personal y las canciones están bien compuestas.
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.
Great album. More than a few quintessential 80's classics on here.
Hits are the best
paar eher nichtssagende lieder, paar gute (red rain, (solsbury hill))
I mean, come on...
🗯 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.
Banger.
Pretty solid. Gabriel’s voice is interesting and In Your Eyes is a classic. However, this style just didn’t grab me. High 3.
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.
Very 80s sounding but not in a bad way. The production was absolutely massive on some of these songs (there must have been dozens of instruments playing on "Sledgehammer") but also totally sparse in others. "This is the Picture" was striking in relation to the rest of the album. Overall it was fun to listen to, but the hits do really overshadow the rest of the album for me. His voice honestly sounds a lot like Phil Collins to me, which is funny since they both were in the same band before.
2.5
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
He’s got a good voice and it’s generally soothing and pleasant with a few standout bangers. Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are excellent
This album blew me away when it came out and it has lost nothing in the intervening years.
excellent album.
so what
Not only one of the better eighties "pop" albums in this list, I think it's the first I would rate more than 3 stars, but if only for the song "Don't give up" I would rate it 3 stars. Add to that "In your Eyes", a beautifully written love song, the hits "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" and last but not least "That Voice Again" that essentially asks: How do we overcome that persistent inner critic - that voice of judgment that was likely instilled in us during childhood - to achieve genuine human connection and self-acceptance? Absolute brilliant! Unfortunately, not all the songs on this album share this sheer brilliance, therefore 4/5.
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
I've never listened to this album before, but I've listened to other Peter Gabriel albums. So, this one is great, yet not his best project. I've liked it a lot. As always, Peter Gabriel explores different genres, sounds, even cultures, and at this he is excellent. This album is exquisite, with a lot of textures and layers. It is delicious. But, yet, I get to the conclusion that it's great but not excellent. Although, of course, this one is an album to listen to, and I will revisit it more than once.
So-so
Never listened to this before and now I want to listen to more albums of his.
Good vibe, but a bit generic
Really like this. I know he was in Genesis and of Sledgehammer but a lot of this stuff is new to me. It's punchy with an 80s feel. I like it a lot
Inte för mig
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
A staple for 80's pop, with bangers and classics. A few more iconic moments and I'd rate it 5 stars. A lot of people draw a comparison of Phil Collins, and of course it makes sense. I lean more to the side of "it's kinda different, actually". And to my ears it is, almost like two sides of the same genre. I like Phil Collins more, but Peter Gabriel is a genius, and this album stands the test of time.
A bunch of great songs, but pulled down by This is the Picture which should have been cut.
The best!
Beautiful singing from Peter Gabriel, the melodies are great as well. I really liked the bass tone especially on sledgehammer.
Pretty good 80’s popslop, goes down real nice and greasy like the unhealthiest, tastiest burger.
Não conhecia o cantor. Mas gostei da recomendação e escutei o album completo, não adcionei nas minhas músicas favoritas, mas o escutei
Enjoyed but don't feel a need to re-listen
Wasn't a huge fan, but always love Sledgehammer
It’s definitely for a 60-70s audience but I do like “we do what we’re told”. It’s got a childish Gambino and OutKast type vibe. Overall I give it a 3.6.
Feels like I’m in top gun or a love themes action movie or shit you would hear at a 1980’s prom
Some songs are vibe 3/5
Kinda a vibe, funky but tasteful
Aged well
Red Rain Sledgehammer
Perfect
I do not like this. This is not for me. "Big Time" is, in fact, being added to my list of songs I strongly dislike.
just not for me!
Hadn't listened to this album in its entirety and, just, holy shit
Good
Yeeaaah, Gabriel the best
Honestly this album grew on me more than I expected it would - it was a shaky start but overall a great listen!
I'm not really a fan of 80s pop and drum machines. This is no exception.
In Your Eyes is the quintessential example of corny 80s music that I love. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Red Rain/That Voice Again also scratches that itch, and bonus points for the Kate Bush feature in Don’t Give Up. I feel like I might in the minority for liking this album, but it’s good for me bro…
Enjoyed it quite a bit though a few of the sounds have unfortunately aged quite poorly, the kitschiness could definitely be seen as part of the charm but I found it kinda ruining my experience at times when he would break out the blue man group aahh drums. Still very nice and I could see it growing on me! Fav song: Don't Give Up not just cuz Kate but also bc it's quite beautiful but otherwise This is the Picture which is super interesting and actually reminds me of Hounds of Love a lot
Weirdly good, although it feels very much of its time.
Thank god I didn't grow up in the 80s.
Loved this from the off, 4
I almost gave it 3, but on second listen this is great.
Was fairly high on the first couple songs. Severely downhill from there. Even I will not defend this Peter Gabriel
What's the deal with all these Peter Gabriel albums? --Jerry Seinfeld
I really dislike the 80's commercial pop sound and therefore a lot of Peter Gabriel, but I gave it a chance and did enjoy the composition, even if the end result is .... unsatisfying. Ultimately, though, this is representative of an era of pop I struggle with so it's gonna get a low score (2.5)
It was pretty good - it had some 80s pop vibes at some points - some faux african music which was alright - it was calm all the way - dont really have a stabdout because it all kind of blended together
Aunque me gusta Peter Gabriel, nunca le he tenido la adoración que al parecer el mundo entero le tiene. So me pareció un muy buen álbum, pero veo dificl que lo busque para escucharlo completo. Regresaría por dos o tres hits que vienen por ahí, y ya. Supongo que tengo que escucharle más discos, pero tampoco es algo que me quite el sueño.
not bad. not my cup of tea
Some really good songs, like Sledgehammer, and some naff ones like This Is The Picture. Evens out to a 3
It is not difficult to see why this album entered the cultural zeitgeist in the 80s. Red Rain opens the album with the vigor of a raging storm. Sledgehammer needs no introduction: seductive, playful, and endlessly groovy. Kate Bush elevates Don't Give Up with her heartbreaking vocal performance. That Voice Again balances complexity with pop appeal. Mercy Street is pensive but rather boring. Big Time picks up the tempo again but doesn't reach the highs of Sledgehammer. We Do What We Are Told is an interesting interlude but doesn't work as a standalone song. This Is the Picture is exemplary of Gabriel's more avant garde work. In Your Eyes is nothing short of euphoric with Youssou N'Dour lending his voice like a ray of light piercing the sky. What a listen.
Funnily enough, given my general distaste for the 80's, this is probably my favorite Gabriel release, solo or Genesis. 3.5/5
THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)’ IS THE ABSOLUTE PINNACLE OF MODERN ART. The rest of the album is just okay. 🥀 But Laurie Anderson‘s collaborative visual masterpiece ‘This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)’ FUCKING SLAPS. You heard it here folks! Now kick back, spark up something laced, and immerse yourself in the cutting-edge avant guard optical splendor which is the music video for Peter Gabri and Laurie Anderson‘s ‘This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds)’
Big radio hits on this one. Sledgehammer, Big Time, In Your Eyes. 5/5
I enjoy Peter Gabriel but i like him more when he’s leaning into the weirdness like he did on Melt. This album is fine, it’s really well done for what it is but it’s all so… I don’t really want to say bland because it sounds nice enough but yea, it’s kinda bland. I am being unfair to Gabriel for sure and I don’t dislike it, I just dislike it for a Gabriel album I suppose. I will say that it is hilarious he wrote a song about his dick being a Sledgehammer. 3 stars
very good #1,2,6,7 are the best IMO
This is a fantastic album which was on constant repeat in my first car sophomore year of high school. Red Rain is an incredible opener. Sledgehammer and Big Time were then and still are incredible ear-worms you can’t help but tap to. Don’t Give Up reminds me of 1980s social issues - oil spills, famine in Africa…Kate Bush sounds great. The ringing tap In Your Eyes still bothers my ears but the song is great. The album drags a little in the middle: Mercy Street, We Do What Told and Picture by overall a solid listen. 4/5
Dominated by the big hits sledgehammer and Don't give up, otherwise an ok listen
This is the sort of album where I don’t know if I like it because it’s good or because I’m so familiar with it.
Solid pop album, soft and mellow Did not know dont give up was peter gabriels song. Thats a good one, bit sad.
I feel like this is an album I would need nostalgia for to enjoy. As it stands though, I'm not really feeling the heavy 80's vibe of this record, especially with the ballads not being quite as strong as the bangers like Sledgehammer and Big Time (great bassline though). Oddly, We Do What We're Told is probably my favorite song? It's got a very vibey, Nine Inch Nails feel. But yeah, pristine pop album that isn't really doing much for me.
Somehow I deleted my biggish review so I’ll just say: a fuckin masterpiece.
Oldies gold
Upbeat soulful full of 1980's pop
Always preferred phil Collins, but solid.
A very good album that falls short for me personally due to taste. Peter Gabriel is an excellent songwriter and this album has plenty of good tracks, but I wasn't into how 80s synth-poppy the overall sound was. Could have done with a heavier track or two, but that doesn't take away from how good the album is as a whole. The ballad tracks in particular are very strong. Top tracks: Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, In Your Eyes
I keep seeing people talking about how this is better than Phil Collins music…. Like how people fail to remember is that Collins released Fave Value before this album came out AND Gabriel left Genesis and got replaced with Collins 6 years before this. This album sounds like a Collins wanna be album to me IMO. I’m sure Collins was inspired by this album, no doubt but Collins and Genesis had this sound already before this came out. This album is super underwhelming imo, other than the stand out hits. I understand its use of early digital instruments and the impact it had but I found myself thinking that Gabriel wanted to be Phil Collins so bad on this album. Idk, just my opinion I was also not alive when this album came out and I’ve listened to all of Phil Collins solo work before this. This album was not bad by any means I was just throughly unimpressed. Fav track: Sledgehammer Least fav: That Voice Again
Great listen. Really hadn’t played any of his songs, only remember on the radio or MTV. Great voice, energy, horns. The hits were especially good to hear.
Very 80s
Не идеально, но хорошо Для фона во время ночной городской прогулкий идëт хорошо! Но на фоне всего альбома понравилась песня Sledgehammer
Pleasant
A so so album. I prefer Phil Collins.
This is SHOCKINGLY good. I have never listened to a Peter Gabriel album, and could have only named Solsbury Hill as his. I would have said In Your Eyes was Phil Collins, and Sledgehammer could have been any number of yacht rockers. Hell, if you had put this album on without telling me, the majority of the time I would have thought I was listening to Sting. All that to say, what a nice surprise! 2 big hits with Sledgehammer as track 2 and In Your Eyes kicking off the B side. Kate Bush shows up on track 3 which was so pleasant. So many of the unknown-to-me tracks are such a soundscape. Again. I am shocked. This is great.
Ég hef ekki gefið Peter Gabriel nógu mikinn sjéns. Ég þekki nokkur af lögunum hans en ekki mikið meira. Þetta var virkilega góð plata. Ég dansa á línunni að gefa henni fjórar eða fimm stjörnur en þessi fer pottþétt aftur í spilun
barely made it through the first song. as soon as sledgehammer came on.....nope....can't do it. Man, there are no words to describe how much i hate that song.
absolute classic.
Favourites: All of them!
A bit meh. Sledgehammer was the only "good" song.
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.
It was a solid 80s album, In Your Eyes was a perfect anchor for this one.
Pretty good pop album that exudes an 80's vibe. Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are great tracks.
Enjoyable, a bit cliche feeling. So so 80s… So 80s.
It's amazing how many long standing hits are in this album. It's almost like a greatest hits collection but yet released all together. Big Time was surprisingly tonally distinct from all the other tracks, which was odd. I'm tossing between 4 and 5, but edging on 4 because it came across as a collection of pop singles instead of a single holistic and cohesive album, which is my preference.
Well written, nicely produced and engineered. A unique pop record. Also, anything with Kate Bush in it will always get plus points from me. Fave song on this listen: Don't Give Up
Tis simply a vibe.
I knew most of the big hits from this album, which are good. None of the other songs really blows me away though. Good production.
Peter 🙌
Love this album. Iconic tracks. Falters a bit in the last couple of tracks but most of it's a banger for sure.
Cool to hear the sax intro on Sledgehammer that Mark Rivera wrote (I KNOW HIM). Otherwise, I don't know if I'm the biggest Peter Gabriel fan.
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
There’s some brilliant music here, but a lot of filler and attempts at things that others did better.
Good memories
Didn't think I was going to like it, but it's actually good and so chill.
typical Peter Gabriel. enjoyed it
How is In Your Eyes so good, but I can't stand most of this album? Red Rain was a decent start, but that's it for me. These are not excellent birds.
Nettes Album. Red rain - geiler Song.
Middle of the pack, enjoyable but nothing special
Good 80s vibes. A little bit Sting-like. I’d have to be in the mood for it.
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
Some fantastic songs and a couple of ok ones that felt more like filler
This dude is weird but he can write a pop song. It'll be a weird pop song, BTWs.
I enjoyed this much more than I should have
Honestly, this is pretty good. It's different and fun.
5/10… art pop / 80s new wave
Highlights: Sledgehammer, Big Time, In Your Eyes. In a nutshell: "this will be my testimony" Out of all the albums Gabriel has released in his life, “So” is the one that he will be remembered for. Not just for the music videos. It’s progressive yet accessible. Art pop with soul. Like Talking Heads before him, Gabriel embraced world-beat but in a way that didn’t misappropriate the sounds. To quote Jon Pareles of The New York Times "[he] doesn't just add on African drums or Indian violin to ordinary songs; they are part of the foundation." Innovative at time of release; a legacy recording for today. Overall: 7/10
Red rain is good Like slegdehammer Don’t give up is awesome, good duet with Kate Bush Generally, a good album but songs feel a bit overstretched sometimes
Quite interesting, more artsy-pop than your typical 80s Pop, even with the typical 80s production on many songs. Quite like it
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.
Is Worldbeat Orientalist? Or is “So” the exception that proves the rule? In this essay, I shall…
Day 2 - Wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I had obviously heard (and love) Sledgehammer, and was hoping the rest of the album would be similar to that track. To my disappointment, it isn't. While I can apricate the album for what it is, with its good production and influences from other genre's. the rest of the album just doesn't bring the same energy. I can understand why people would enjoy the album as a whole but the rest of it isn't really for me.
Surprisingly good. Versatile. Great sounding songs with important messages. I had heard of Gabriel setting up Womad (a biggie!) and knew he was with Genesis. So... I've decided he's ok 👍
6/10
In your eyes is gold
85/100.
★★★★★★★★★★
Solid 80s music, love in your eyes already, but was surprised how good the rest of the album was.
I feared this album. It features the awful 'Sledge Hammer', very bad memory of my youth. And what I didn't know: 'Don't give up' as well, another awful memory. So far I was wrong. The first three songs, including the two I mentioned and opener 'Red rain' are actually pretty good. They even sound rather okay for a 1986-popalbum. But then... It gets worse and worse, every song more awful than the last one with an absolute low in 'This is the picture'. What on earth is that? This must be one of the worst songs in 86 albums so far. Eighties production is almost laughable of all the songs bar the first three. In 'Mercy Street' and the aforementioned 'This is the picture' nothing at all happens. My god. On the original vinyl 'This is the picture' was the closing track. People must have been so relieved they could start a new album... But on cd and cassette and since 2002 also on vinyl there is a different closer and that's a lot better: 'In your eyes'. The funny thing is that this album is saved from a very bad review by the two hits I had such bad memories of.
Funky! Surprisingly so. A little experimental. High 80s sound. Some afro beats in there? In Your Eyes is a long loved favorite track for me.
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
I am sure I never listened to this whole album. Of course I know Sledgehammer from the video. That video is a core memory. This still of 80’s production/music has always been off putting to me. But I love his voice.
Previously rated: Peter Gabriel 3 (4/5) Peter Gabriel (4/5) ************************ Looks like I found his previous two albums interesting enough to earn a future re-listen. What about this one? This one has the big hits, but outside of those, I didn't like a lot here. It was very slow and forgettable. Except for that one with Kate Bush, Don't Give Up. That was just bad. I feel 1986 was when pop music just started going south, and over-produced stuff like this was part of the reason. Best track: Sledgehammer - The music video for this is still very enjoyable.
So it ends up I was a lot more familiar with Peter Gabriel than I thought. A lot of songs on this album that I was already fond of. I really enjoyed getting his music in the full context of a curated album. I love an album that starts with a bang and Red Rain is a fucking great opening song. Has me ready for the rest of the album. Then leading into Sledgehammer is a great 1-2 punch. Ending an album is equally as important and In Your Eyes is a fantastic closer. One thing notable to me was the emphasis on the percussion throughout the album. The drums give the melodic passionate songs their power and the upbeat songs their energy. I'm not usually one to take notice on intentional instrumentation but this was pleasantly obvious during my listen.
I prefer this album as background music, it's not something I'd listen to by itself. My favourite song was Red Rain, I liked the vocals in the background.
Pop Can Still Matter.Pop music doesn't have to be derivative. It can use interesting arrangements inspired by other cultures. It can break out of the two guitars, bass, and drums format. It can have lyrics that hint at a deeper meaning but leave it to you to work out what that is. Some artists understand that mass appeal and depth are not mutually exclusive — they’re just harder to do together. But when you pull it off? You get albums like this. The hits are there, "Don't Give up", "Big Time" and "Sledgehammer" all deserve a deeper listen than just having them on your car radio. This pop, but the best version of pop.
Sledgehammer is a good song... the rest of the album is a bunch of filler. "So mid" as the kids say. Maybe a 1.5? I'll round up, I guess.
This was the number 1 album when I was born. What was yours?
So what?
so, so 80s
I really liked Sledgehammer (such a hit!) and overall it was an average album
Okay album. Didn’t do much for me
Not for me
Brilliant album start to finish.
So many hits! I didn’t recall knowing all of this tracks. Even though this was an “album” era, I only know these songs as singles. In Your Eyes is an amazing last track!
Gostei mas não sou fã de Peter Gabriel no geral. Boas músicas mas não me encheram as medidas!
not quite a 5 but close enough
A bit como Tarzan. Me gustó.
In Your Eyes is obviously great, and there are a few other surprising great songs on this album, but songs like This Is The Picture are a little weird for my taste and hold the album back
Man the production on this thing is insane, even if it sometimes feels sterile or commercial. Vocals are very much lacking for me, really wish Kate Bush was on every song and not just one track. Overall feeling meh about it, although I really like we do what we're told, this is the picture and Kate Bush's verses on don't give up
man, i wish i liked this one more. there are some fun hits that obviously get a lot of airplay. i wish this album had more of that. when it's not those handful of songs, it's a very soft, delicate album. but I don't really have a lot of fun listening to it. it's a little bit of a drag. i don't find it interesting, i find it boring. there's other peter gabriel that i really like! but this mostly is not it.
So: so-so. So?
These are good quality songs, but they’re not for me. I’ll listen to the final song, but semi-ironically. Nothing against him, he’s just a little goofy and hasn’t done enough to distinguish himself from Phil Collins. 4/5
Great opener, a really decent and varied record.
In my review of The Verve's Urban Hymns album, I wrote the following about "Bittersweet Symphony": "Pre-listening: This album prompts an interesting question: what do you think is the single song you have heard the most in your life without ever hearing another track from its album? Because I think this one would be in the running for me (at least until today.)" This Peter Gabriel album contains three songs that I've probably heard more than "Bittersweet Symphony" but I am pretty sure I have never heard anything else off the album. I'm sure I don't even have to name them, but "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" were of course MTV staples (and "staples" probably isn't even a strong enough word - MTV constants?) and then there was the Say Anything phenomenon for "In Your Eyes." I didn't dislike any of those songs at the time but it wasn't a style of music I was interested in so I never felt the need to explore further. So I am interested to see what 50-year-old me thinks of the rest of this album. Post-listening: wasn't expecting so many guest stars! I enjoyed this and would give it 3.5 stars if I could. I can't give it the same rating as Ill Communication (that rating is going to bother me on my deathbed) so 3 it is!
What?
Про Гебріела я свого часу дізнався не як всі люди через Genesis, а з пісні Vampire Weekend. Власне не можу сказати, що прям дуже заслуховуюсь. Але So маю навіть на касеті, бо тут купа хітів та й принципі слабких пісень немає. Звук дуже приємний, бас по всьому альбому дуже крутий. Хороший приклад цікавого поп-альбому з 80х
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.
It's fine, just not my cup of tea.
Sledgehammer - awesome. In Your Eyes - classic. Peter Gabriel (in general) - pretty good. Synthesizers - pretty cool. This album - meh
Terrble
This is the worst of 80's world music. A good artist making a bad album.
3,5
A ono, ima par dobrih stvari tu, na trenutke mi jako daje cheesy vibe u stilu Disturbed, ali Sledgehammer je kultna stvar. 2/5, 4/10
Probably his best album. Every song is great.
No, not for me.
Good album. Aged well and influential across a range of genres. Can see why it is iconic
Somewhat lost on me - feels too dated but it’s been rounded up to a 2 because of the Kate Bush feature
Beautifully produced, middle-of-the-road rock music that I can't really fault in any way. For some reason it just doesn't appeal enough to want it in my collection though.
*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
8/10
Great album. For me, his best.
Fabulous. Thoughtful lyrics and great production. This has aged well
Awfully long album... I listened to Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, and In Your Eyes. Only saved In Your Eyes... Games Without Frontiers (from another album) was quite cool tho. Overall not my kinda thing:/. Respect though.
This is certainly from the 80's Best Song: Sledgehammer Rating: 4/10 Stars: 2/5
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.