So

The man named after angels!

Red rain is a strange way to kick an album off. Sledgehammer is exactly that. Is that Kate Bush on Don't Give Up? Only love can make love is a good line on That Voice Again. Your Eyes another monster hit. Good album!

Some great songs on here.

Je crois avoir aimé cet album encore plus que son premier. On est vraiment dans la même lignée de mélange de rock/pop/progressif/art rock, mais juste mieux exécuté que sur son premier. Super bon album. 9/10

I really hated Red Rain, so my expectations were low. But damn does the back half of this album deliver some classic 80s goodness. The run from Big Time to In Your Eyes is easily 5 stars. The album as a whole, I’ll have to round down to a 4.

Pretty cool album, slow at times but solid

Excellent. I didn’t appreciate this enough when I was a teenager.. wasn’t hard enough for my taste at the time. Glad I’ve evolved.

Movie memories!

Listened to this album and really enjoyed it. Ended up listening to several other albums of his as well, mostly the earliest stuff. He is a very talented musician. Genesis for me has always been mostly a Phil Collins thing, but it's easy to see where they came from.

Relaxing, good for background. Nice, familiar voice.

Holds up surprisingly well.

Sledgehammer is great, so is the duet with Kate Bush. So are a lot of the other non big hit tracks. Its too drenched in 80's production for me to enjoy it a whole lot but there's a lot of good on here.

Listened to this while playing Isofarian Guard. I remember enjoying the previous Peter Gabriel album i heard on this list more, but that being said, this was still super solid. The duet with Kate Bush (maybe) was freaking excellent, and how can you go wrong with In Your Eyes...(which I just brainfarted to Time After Time...which is also a great song)...such a great ending.

Good

This was really cool, more Peter Gabriel please!

I had never listens to this all the way through. Obviously I knew the hits. There a couple of duds, but that won’t stop me from listening again. Perhaps they’ll grow on me.

Love this guys voice

Finally breaking a streak of threes!

Good stuff

I enjoyed that one…I thought it was very easy listening and all of them just stereotypes of 80s music

Excellent

Very calming

Great album

Really like this album. Fun tones, sounds, and beats. Peter Gabriel has pipes. I will definitely be coming back to this. Only song I knew was Sledgehammer. Favorite songs: Red Rain, Sledgehammer (duh), Big Time, In Your Eyes

liked (not "Liked") songs: Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up (Kate Bush!), Big Time, In Your Eyes This is the Picture is a too-long interlude. Overall, classic Peter Gabriel album. Probably more like a 4.25

He has a really lovely voice and I think the songs sound (to my untrained ear) proper good musically speaking. I like the catchy poppy tunes although I didn’t looove them. Sledgehammer is very fun. I think ‘don’t give up’ has been ruined for me by being used in charity adverts.

Patrick Bateman vibes from this one. Nice album, probably got more appreciation for him now.

I like Genesis, I like Phil Collins, turns out this was good too. Who woulda thunk it?

Incredibly 80s. It’s remarkable how Gabriel and Phil Collins sound so similar, but there’s something about Gabriel’s gruffness that is irresistible. Sledgehammer and Don’t give up are radio classics. Strange that the last song originally was not the last song, given that song order is so important in albums. Overall SO good 4/5

Yes, this was very good.

A heavyweight who doesn't get enough shine. This album rips.

All his best songs on one album

Peter Gabriel did it – he stayed in his lane as a pop songwriter, and the result is a fucking phenomenal pop album!! And he did it will still finding ways to *gently* incorporate experimentation, and world music, and more theatrical elements. It’s not flawless, especially in its more downtempo, dour moments, but it comes really, really close. So is one of those albums I could see growing into one of my favorites ever if I gave it some time, because it’s right on that line. I think if I find it on vinyl and play it straight for a week, it will definitely get there. But for now, it’s still very, very, very good. Stick to pop, Gabriel!!!

Good stuff.

Probably hits more at a 3.5 for me, but going up to 4 for that Sledgehammer Coda ... chills.

I don’t think there is anything as 80s as Peter Gabriel’s So. That’s not exactly a compliment in most cases but I did like this album. The strength here is actually the soft, more haunting songs. love Red Rain, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes. The hits are so over the top 1980s. Still a very good album 8.0/10

Really fun. I liked this one.

Music for attention seeking normies 7/10 Fav tracks - Red Rain, Don't give up, Mercy Street, Big Time, We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37), This is the Picture (Excellent Birds) Least Fav - Sledgehammer

Sledgehammer is great. All the tracks have interesting percussion, solid bass, and varied, engaging synth work. A few tracks go on a bit long and a few are just boring. But overall a fun and interesting listen.

Rockzinho tranquilo. Talvez não parasse pra escutar mas, tocando na rádio, não ia mudar de estação. Gostosinho.

Sledgehammer might be the perfect song. Every component of the song fits together perfectly. The funk guitar holding the rhythm, the horns, the background vocals, the ascending volume on the horns during the chorus. Lead vocals rip, etc. Plus, it gets me fucking amped. The entire album feels like a fine suit, sometimes flashy and sometimes understated. The composition of the songs is super clean, high-quality production without adding superfluous instruments/solos. That said, some of the songs may be filler (This is the Picture/Mercy Street). The highlight (aside from Sledgehammer) was Big Time. IM ON MY WAY, IM MAKING IT!!! I need to revisit why I love Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins but don't like Genesis.

This would be a five except there is maybe one too many songs that feel like filler. Peter gabriel’s voice is so emotive- plaintive, wry and powerful all at the same time. The opening trio of red rain, sledgehammer and don’t give up shows off his versatility as a songwriter, then the album meanders a bit, but he brings it home with in your eyes. There are dance songs and songs about not killing yourself that are equally catchy. And the sound is so unique - right in the border of intricately complex and overproduced. He doesn’t quite tip over to the latter side, which is why it all works.

Red rain!!!!!!!!! Fun album. I respect Gabriel a lot more now. I didnt like the track with kate bush.

Decent album, don't give up was a little slow and a little overly long for my personal tastes

Red rain reminds me of an American city in the height of summer, or a bittersweet montage at the end of a complicated movie, or maybe a long pan out to skyscrapers at dawn. I can also see it being used at a feminine product advert (which would be hilarious). Sledgehammer is something you'd hear at a dance hall, a montage of someone building something, or after a character in a movie moves out of home and starts living somewhere new. Oh, there is a flute now... that adds something. In summary: Very good for story or scene writing. I rate this 4/5

Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes alone would bring this to three stars. The remaining cuts are a weird, enjoyable journey.

SO 80s. But man, there are a couple banger tacks on this album and most of the rest is a fun listen. The mix Spotify played after this was also gold.

Really nice. Surprised me

I like this album. It's good. This is just a nice 80s pop album. I like Peter Gabriel's singing. It's kind of hard to explain why I like it, but I do. Of course, there are guest singers as well, and they all do great. More albums should just have Kate Bush in them for a song. The sound is great. The synths and other instruments are awesome. There's a good balance between fun time and serious time. Speaking of which, the writing is nice. You have some fun, less serious songs like the classic "Sledgehammer" balanced out by a more romantic track like "In Your Eyes". There's good emotion all throughout. This isn't like a perfect album or anything. I mean, there's a reason why it lost Album of the Year to Paul Simon's Graceland. The reason is that Graceland is a better album (in my opinion). However, that doesn't make So a bad album. This album's really good. I absolutely see the appeal. 4/5.

The album contains his megahits "Red Rain", "Sledgehammer", "Don't Give Up" and "Big Time"! The other weaker numbers in this cost him the five stars for me.

Theme

I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. It's quite beautiful.

I’ve not been a big Peter Gabriel fan, but this is probably his best work.

I knew the hits but the rest is as good

Finally! Arguably the best Gabriel album, certainly my favorite. I think my first memory of this album is listening to it in California as we drove around to Disney and Legoland back in the day. Dad would play these on repeat and continuously play sledgehammer and big time to act out the bits at the beginning “higher” and the flute. On top of that you’ve got Red Rain, Don’t Give Up, and That Voice Again. And lest we forget In Your Eyes, which I’m sure he loved because of Say Anything. Perfect album to end the week on.

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

sledgeHAMMA

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

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

Red Rain is best track IMO.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classic

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

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

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

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

This one is a true classic!

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

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

Superb

So many bangers

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

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

Great album

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

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

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

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

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

Solid effort

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

Klassiskt album.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finally some good fucking music 4.5

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

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

young romantic me loved loved this record.

I had this pne. It has some great moments

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

Really creative instrumentation

Good

Absolute monster of a record

Good 80's music.

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

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

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

It's alright

groovy

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

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

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

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

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

Very versatile and mixed with beautiful vocals and instruments.

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

Music to get a pay rise to.

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

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

Enjoyed that!

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

His best

Kate Bush cameo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

good but feels dated

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great album milestone

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

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

I was a kid all over again listening to this.

Dit is Phil Collins maar dan met goede muziek. Hoe lijkt hun stem zoooo op elkaar (en zijn ze natuurlijk ook nog van dezelfde band). Favo nummer Sledgehammer.

4+

So good

Skivan börjar riktigt starkt. Första låten är svinbra. Å Sledgeghammer är ju en hit liksom. Bra i princip rakt igenom.

Bra skit, så här är 80-talet när det är som bäst.

Sledgehammer a classic. SOO 80s. I liked Big Time no cap. Peter Gabriel knew what was up. Red rain was a great opener

This was my first time listening to Peter Gabriel in a long-form way. I enjoyed it! I'm sure I'd like his usual, weirder stuff as well.

Nice to hear this one again. It's been quite a while (except for "Sledgehammer", which we all hear at least once a month, without even noticing it.) Three-and-three-quarter stars. Bumped down just a smidge for overuse of the Fairlight synthesizer. Once you hear it, you hear it all over this thing.

A ton of the hits are on here, these songs are what you hear when you think of Peter Gabriel. Outside of the singles, the rest of the album has a “softer” and melancholic sound, which I wasn’t expecting but certainly welcomed it. Listening to this while walking in the rain was fitting and honestly amplified my experience too. Always a great storyteller, that Peter.

Really solid album - with some great songs.

Un excelente trabajo de la mente más talentosa detrás del antiguo Genesis. Tras una seguidilla de rupturistas LPs solistas, "So" nos muestra un Peter Gabriel mucho más pop. Por supuesto, "Sledgehammer" es la pista más poderosa de todo el LP, mereciendo todo el reconocimiento que tiene. Sumamente recomendable, pero no lo declararía "el mejor disco de Peter Gabriel".

I was actively waffling between a four and a five while listening to this. After all, the great tracks that everybody knows are truly great. However, the not as great tracks are simply… Not. As. Great. So it ends up being a four for me. Still, this is a nice antidote to all of that Britpop early in the decade. And I do always appreciate misery you can dance to. And I give this guy credit for surviving Phil Collins.

Good overall, liiked most of it.

He’s Ight 7/10

In your ass, I complete. Your ass, skeet skeet skeet. OH I can’t wait to be back inside your ass! 7/10

You feel the Red Rain pouring down. And the iconic music video of Sledgehammer.

Great album. totally 80s

Really well written and produced pop rock

55/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

Melodic, sad, catchy. Peter Gabriel reminds me of my childhood as my dad would always play it. This is very nostalgic for me!

I really enjoyed this album. Sounded like an 80’s version of Dave Matthews

Good listen. Who doesn’t like sledgehammer?

4.2 one of his best imo, especially the live versions. fave songs: red rain, sledgehammer, mercy street, in your eyes

More quintessential, MTV fueled, 80's pop. This one is actually good though.

Gear: Hifiman Arya Mix (2012 Remaster): zupfender, goovy Bass echtes Highlight. (vielstimmige) Vocals mitreißend und angenehm. perfekt-warmes aber trotzdem detailreiches Mastering. Musik: Könnte ich jeden Tag hören (skippe dann aber eine Handvoll Filler). Wertung: 🔨🔨🔨🔨(🔨)/5

Plenty of hits, quite commercial and a little dated but overall a good album, not his best but solid

Well I was pleasantly surprised by this! I'm not a fan at all, but its a well made album that didn't bore me, and I enjoyed it much more than I thought! I few good tracks too :)

7.5/10 Another pleasant surprise, expected world music got progressive pop rock Excellent production throughout, high values and the electronic/synth elements were combined perfectly Guests were well deployed and stood out. Copeland, Bush, Rodgers in particular. Extremely 80s sound, but the production is so good that it stands above the crowd. Best: Sledgehammer

👍🏻

Great artist. Incredible album, not a bad song on the entire thing. A rarity.

No denying this album has a surprising number of hits from Gabriel. He also carves out a space in pop music that feels distinctive unlike the pure motown derived pop of bandmate Phil not that the two should be compared but interesting how he changed his approach and found success later. What's missing is the intensity and strange beauty of earlier down tempo ballads and narrative based explorations. The slow songs here mostly fall flat and stand in contrast to the upbeat ones. Mercy Street seems much less engaging than Big Time. I prefer the earlier weirdness on the first 3 albums to this successful foray into pop.

Eerste nummer is matig, maar daarna gewoon een sterk pop album met oa Sledgehammer en Dont give up.

One of the classics from the 80’s.

Childhood album- love

Nice 80s album, kinda gave me Phil Colin vibes

I often get the Genesis boys confused, but I generally like both of them. One of the only times I've actually seen Peter on camera outside of the wacky videos was during the 93 Grammys and he wore this big purple joker suit, so that's my mental image of him for better or worse. This familiar album has some hits. I don't understand how he can vocalize like he does while singing the words "Red Rain". It's an eerie tone/note...where does that grit come from!? "Sledgehammer" gets bonus points for the video,and is a great song. Thanks to the Kate Bush resurrection I could clearly identify her in the third track, which the song can be a powerful message and good to hear when you're down. But with practically every track running over 5 minutes the rest of the album can kind of drag on a bit until "In Your Eyes" which is a beautiful classic and helped solidify this as a solid 4+ Favorite track:"Sledgehammer" 4.4/5

"De het ja nödmal en richtige Nachname" - min Papi mega 80erjahr musig für mich don't give up sehr schön aber gad echli sehr langsam und lang für min gschmack me chan sehr wenig degege sege, d drums sind uhuere guet und de bass ghörsch immer wieder schön wie gseit, mengisch ischmer amigs echli sehr langsam aber es 4i hets verdient

I love this album. I was familiar with ~half the songs from long ago when I used to listen to the Secret World Live tour album. It's interesting to hear the original version of Don't Give Up, with Kate Bush instead of Paula Cole. The overall sound has some overlap with Paul Simon and (world) and Genesis/80's.

Manages to be a lot of the things that made 80's music great, while not feeling overly dated. Would be interested to see Peter and David Byrne talk, I feel like there's a lot of overlap in their sensibilities.

Dated in some places (That Voice Again is really bad), but surprisingly holds up overall (Sledgehammer, In Your Eyes, Red Rain.)

Amazing songwriting but so much symph which I’m not into.

Gabriel's music is sometimes a flat plain with great peaks - this album is more like a high plateau with peaks on it - I count 5 very good songs on here.

80-talet striikki jatkuu. balladeja paitsi gabriel (enkeli) osaa niitä tehdä ilman että happoräkää menee kurkusta alas.. nuorimies viaton kuvassa, ei niin sairas vanha hirmu mikä nykyään. ruma mies nykyään. mutta sisällä kaunis. tykkää maailman musiikista, mutta ei ilmeisesti suomalaisesta...... ei kuuluta maailmaan ilmeisesti.......... kiitti vaan niin vitusti... mercy street

4.3 - Gabriel’s masterpiece? His vocal chops are certainly better on this than any other project of his I’ve heard (see the sustained note at 3:51 on “That Voice Again”). Kate Bush drops in for a stunning cameo on “Don’t Give Up.” The dark, roiling atmosphere of this record gets eerier towards the middle of the second half, which I don’t prefer. But, “Sledgehammer” more than makes up for it in bounce and funk — among my favorite pop songs (and music videos) of the 1980s. And though “In Your Eyes” has lost its impact as a stand-alone radio hit, it sounds stunning as the closer for this expansive, impressive album.

Surprisingly enjoyable, some great tracks on here.

1) Red Rain- fine but skippable. 2) Sledgehammer- certified bop. I was vibing in my office big time. 3) Don't Give Up - A very nice song, Kate Bush makes it, apparently helped Elton John with sobriety 4) That Voice Again - Bring the pace back up, fine also. 5) In Your Eyes - This is the boombox song! Another bop 6) Mercy Street - depressing but pretty good 7) Big Time - woke me back up, incredibly 80s so I liked it 8) We Do What We're Told - A fine interlude but I skipped it 9) This is the Picture - The intro hooked me big time, bit too avant garde 7.5/10, a proper whiplash between sad and absolute bops. Worldbeat influence very on show which is very cool. Thanks Peter.

excellent!

Old classic that i became familiar with growing up, always enjoy it

A little too eighties but still iconic

Lotta cool synth sounds and African rhythms going on here. The handful of bangers all hit for me. Kate Bush's phrasing in her feature is inspired.

In my head it's only 3.5 because I had to listen to Kate Bush

Sledgehammer is life

Solid album. Not a huge fan of sledgehammer considering it's relative popularity, but really good album.

Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, and In Your Eyes; wow. Only a couple "misses". 4/5

I totally enjoyed it. It is an album that I keep coming back to.

Solid album with the exception of big time.

Great album from a great voice.

Solid album. A bit slow at times, but I did really like when the songs picked up. Plus there were lots of cool, unique sounds that kept things interesting.

1ST off i am biased. This is my absolute favorite era of music. It is so nostalgic for me and i love the production. Always so grand, treble-ey, compressed drums, i just love it. easy 4/5.

Me gustó la presencia y la técnica vocal, me parece un excelente cantante. El álbum está muy bien estructurado y me parece bueno. Aunque no es el estilo de música que me gusta me parece un álbum genial.

great cheesy 80's pop

The Best! Takes me back to middle school and Highschool!! I can remember staying up late watching MTV and these videos!

Great album.

Far from the prog of Genesis, Gabriel had really honed in his pop chops to the point where someone listening along kept asking if I was sure that it wasn't Phil Collins playing.

What the fuck is this, I mean seriously? I like it.

The slow songs were quite strange but all the upbeat songs were absolute bangers!

It’s not really something I jam to but I enjoy it a lot? Idk it’s more of a 3.7

4.4 This is a really good album. A lot of really good songs.

Ok, so I just found out that Peter Gabriel started out with Genesis before going solo, the bad that Phil Collins drummed/sang in before also going solo. My 80s music constellation is becoming more connected. “In Your Eyes” is a fantastic song, very popular. But “Big Time” was my favorite from the album. Had a hard time not busting a move in the office. Songs like this are the best thing to come from the 80s (along with Star Wars). I think this album gets 4 stars.

This album was fabulous. You can definitely tell the Genesis/Phil Collins influence but since I like that, I liked this. Dont give up was a stand out for me, something about the melody and harmony of the first half really tickled something in my brain. I want to go for 5 stars but there were a few songs in the second half of the album that didnt really do it for me. 4.5 stars

Pretty solid album. The songs were a little lengthy. However, since the album only has 9 songs, that didn't really bother me. Peter Gabriel has an amazing an outstanding voice

Quiet chill pop/rock

I WANNA BE YOUR SLEDGEHAMMER

I give it 4 stars, Sledgehammer is a classic, and the video was impressive at the time of release.

i like Peter Gabriel, my father used to listen to him often

Very solid, definitely the best from this week. Honestly I would have given this album a 4 star even if all the other songs on it were purely mid because In Your Eyes is just that good. Thankfully the other songs were very nice to listen to. There was a nice mix of poppy stuff and then more relaxed and mellow songs such as Mercy Street. Mr. Gabriel has a very lovely voice and this was a very lovely album. In Your Eyes is the second best song we've heard so far behind Layla.

great album-Red Rain is a fantastic track. wonderful building sound & emotion. good to hear the rawness in his voice & it's not overly stylized or autotuned.

A diverse album when it comes to the tempo of the songs. I especially enjoyed the more energetic tracks like Sledgehammer and Big Time. I also liked the hypnotic nature of This Is The Picture.

80s synth rock, love it. Gives vibes of films you’d watch with your parents in the 90s 00s in the living room on free tv

Do you fall on the side of Team Peter or Team Phil? Phil has always given me the creeps a little bit. I think he dances weird and it makes me uncomfortable. I’ve preferred the Peter albums of Genesis, so I’m excited to listen to a solo album of his in full. Songs I already knew: Sledgehammer, In Your Eyes Favourites: In Your Eyes I didn’t actually know In Your Eyes until I heard the cover by Ninja Sex Party, but what a nice song it is. There were parts of this that sounded like it could be the soundtrack to Tarzan (Mercy Street) which is good for my head canon of Phil and Peter wanting a fight. Overall, this was a very 80s-sounding album, and I really quite enjoyed it. Still Team Peter for me.

Previous Familiarity: Moderate. Only heard the singles. But those single are HUGE! Those 3 singles: "Sledgehammer" "Big Time" "In Your Eyes" Those 3 singles. Those 3 singles stand apart from everything else on this album. Both in a good way and a bad way. Theses songs are all pretty darn good (if not cheesy) pop songs compared to the brooding dream-pop that occupies most of the album. But, their noticeable difference is what also makes them feel out of place on the album. The carnival soul of "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" are much louder and robust than the rest of the album. While the lovely (if noy hokey) "In Your Eyes" is the only meaningful attempt at relatable romanticism. It works, but it's out of place here. As usual for me, the 80's were not kind to my music listening sensibilities. I still hate the overuse of electric keyboards and synthesized instruments that plagued most pop acts in the 80's. I would love to hear these songs played on acoustic instruments in a more intimate setting. The songwriting is pretty good, I just think I could appreciate it more if the noises and sequencing were more in line with my tastes. Still pretty respectable!

Lots of classics. I prefer the earlier and "weirder" Gabriel, but plenty to love in this album.

What I would have expected. Some big hits.

Not a great voice but listenable

Really enjoyed this Album. I must say it’s a great album, start to finish. "Mercy Street" is probably my favorite song on the album.

I enjoyed the old school sounds

Sledgehammer! Bow down to the Sledgehammer! Ziemlich gut produziert und auch sonst ein gutes Album. This is the picture besonders gut 3.5 Kneel, you dogs...

I like almost every song! So moody, lyrical. An interesting old Gaelic sound to some of the songs.

Was actually listening to bits of this the day before. Downloaded this onto my iPod in like middle school or something but it’d been awhile since I listened to the whole thing. Lots of hits, a few I’m colder on, love Kate Bush’s bit. Solid fun

Good songs using 80s production enough for it to sound sleek and energetic, But not dated and cheesy.

I definitely know who Peter Gabriel is. I've heard a few songs here and there but haven't listened to a whole album. I'm excited! Love the sound of this so far. Actually, the two songs I know from Peter Grabriel are on this album lol. Track 3 has an interesting gospel sound to it. I'm also curious to know who the female singer is on this track. It seems like she sings at least half of the track so it's odd she's not credited. (I now know it's Kate Bush) Track 7 has a really interesting sound. Almost like it could be in the background of a CSI episode or something. Wow track 8 is not for me. 4/5 Late 80's music is a favorite of mine, so I was excited to see this album come up. Most of the songs on this album are too long for my taste, but I still enjoyed listening to them.

Legendary auteur makes a pop record and its really good and thought provoking and danceable...The 80's were a magical time.

Big sounds, great instrumentation, powerful lyrics, incredible voice, and excellent production. This is a stellar album from a legendary frontman. It’s got that 80s sound which can easily be overdone, and sometimes it gets close, but the artistry shines through in this excellent composed LP.

Oof, this '80s production is going to be tough for me to overcome. "Red Rain" is such a cool song but the instrumentation is so Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. The more subdued production works really well on "Don't Give Up." Nice featured vocal by Kate Bush. "Mercy Street" is another cool one. I think I like the darker/quieter songs more. I like Gabriel's vocals and the harmonies are really nice on this one. I don't know if the production has just ingratiated itself to me, but I really like "Big Time." It doesn't sound as corny as the first couple of tracks did to me. Lots to listen to, including lushly layered vocals. I'm coming around.

A very nostalgic album for me. We listened to it a lot. Peter Gabriel can be a bit wacky but he also writes great tunes. Another 4*

I actually reallt enjoyed this, i didnt think I would like it

4 1/2

It aight -7/10

Felt like a very 80s album, like songs that could have been in the Top Gun soundtrack. Enjoyed the vocals and the Kate Bush feature. Some songs kind of dragged, but overall great album.

I like some of the songs a lot, other were eh, I think all of the songs ran a bit long for my taste but overall good 8/10

7/10 - Overall pretty good. I have heard most of these songs before. There are no songs I hate but there are not any I think I would ever be like I have to listen to it.

Un 4 por Mercy Street y Don't Give Up.

Damn do I love "Sledgehammer" and also "In Your Eyes". Really great album - strong from start to finish. 8/10.

Nice

Weird to hear it outside of the singles, which were so popular at the time. Pretty solid

Classic 80s

You know, I said this would probably be a 2 in my review of his first album, but it’s better than I remembered. I always like ‘Sledgehammer’ and ‘Big Time’ and thought all the other songs were too slow, but those actually turned out to be great, too. An album my stance has actually positively changed on.

So much synth! So much emotion! Was he the Shawn Mendes of his generation? It’s so dancey and 80s…also maybe too much whispering and chanting especially in the essential birds song, also who was the random gal that came in? Some lingering questions but also with this album I totally get why he is a mega star

He’s on my list.

First listen Saved 6/9 Top track: Sledgehammer

An iconic album with some amazing songs.

The voice reminds me of Blue October sometimes

Had to go back and listen to this one and was pleasantly surprised. I actually had favorited one of the songs before "In Your Eyes", so I was familar with Peter Gabriel a little before but the whole album was actually a fantastic listen. Got that classic 80s sound.

I don't think I ever actually owned this but I sure heard a lot of it in its day (not all though, given I had no idea there was a version on it of the song I knew as Excellent Birds from Laurie Anderson's Mister Heartbreak). The clever video for Sledgehammer was ubiquitous back when my only access to music videos was Friday Night Videos on NBC. And of course In Your Eyes as featured in Say Anything. There are some flat points but overall a great album.

It was decent, I like Sledgehammer and the Kate Bush duet. Clearly a little more poppy than the earlier Peter Gabriel albums. 7/10

Zet dit op en je ziet cassettebandjes, Engelse-drop-achtige interieurs, schoudervullingen en opgeblazen kapsels. De jaren tachtig in al hun opgepoetstheid, na de over-the-top jaren zeventig. Keyboards, strakke percussie, blazerssectie. Genesis-collega Phil Collins kon er ook wat van. En toch klinkt dit bij lange na niet zo gedateerd als bijvoorbeeld Prince. Iets voor de lange autorit over de Franse snelweg, op de achterbank met een overdosis Fruitella en een stapel Suske en Wiskes.

Het is ontzettend jaren '80, bombastisch, drumcomputers, synthesizers. Maar de stem van Peter Gabriel is op zijn best en de nummers zijn echt goed, zelfs als Kate Bush er door heen loopt te heksen. De sterkste nummers zitten wel aan het begin, als het allemaal wat meer toegankelijk is. In het tweede deel wordt er wat meer geexperimenteerd, wat niet per se slecht is in dit geval, maar de vaart gaat er wel een beetje uit. Als geheel vind ik het wel redelijk in balans, zeker een goede albumervaring. En dus ook absoluut een notering waard in de 1001 albums die je ooit gehoord moet hebben lijst.

Beautiful album, especially the slower songs. I recognised Sledgehammer and Don't Give Up. Unfortunately the second half of the album was a bit worse. Stand-out: Red Rain

The first album of Peter Gabriel that I truly appreciated. It's been a while since I've listened to the whole album and it hit me way differently - In Your Eyes, Sledgehammer, and Big Time are the top songs and I love them, but I am reminded of how powerful his lyrics are, particularly with That Voice Again and Don't Give Up - So heart wrenching for me. Mercy Street is so brooding. Wonderful album to hear again.

Slick, solid, 80s pop. Some great songs like Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, and In Your Eyes, but hard to really connect with most of the other tracks.

Great album with several excellent songs, in particular 'Don't give up', although I don't get that superb exxperience over the full record.

Wasn’t expecting to be jump scared by the Wrestlemania 22 theme today but there you go The first three tracks are fantastic and the album does lose a bit of steam afterwards, but the more experimental couple of tracks towards the end brings it back

I’ve always enjoyed Peter Gabriel’s music, so of course I enjoyed this as well. He has a unique voice and good instrumentals that makes for an eclectic combo of songs.

Featuring up front production, some decent songs and Gabriel's powerful slightly raspy vocals, this is a solid album. The tracks are a bit overlong though.

Straight bangers

I noticed some bass sections that felt very familiar and a lil weird (in the good way) and even some sounds that felt very familiar, like I'd heard them somewhere else in the same era. That's when the truth smacked me in the face , of course I know that bass sound and some of these other sounds, in fact they're off of King Crimson's Triple album suite "Three of a Perfect Pair" (Discipline, Beat, Three of a Perfect Pair), and that has to be Tony Levin! And it was! I will say most of this album is a lil too 80's for me (I really hate the 80's nostalgia thing IDK I'm more of a 60's 70's guy), but it has some great standouts like "Sledgehammer" and "Don't Give Up", though "Mercy Street" also has some amazing sounds and I think overall, it's a good album with some great moments. I might have to give this another listen, but I enjoyed the package as a whole.

I really don’t get the complaints from people who say this is too commercial. They just hate fun.

Shweet

So good I listened twice

Sledgehammer is a bit played out but I enjoyed the rest of this album and was surprised that I had heard most of the tracks. I suppose that's a testament to the quality of the album when so many tracks got radio play. This isn't the type of thing I'd actively seek out on my own to listen to but I'd be pleased to hear it under almost any circumstance. Favorite song - In Your Eyes.

Dit vond ik echt een geweldig album!

Quite nice, wouldn't listen to it on a regular basis but could be fun from times to times. I especially liked "Sledgehammer" and the last song, "In your eyes".

Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood all sound so similar :) Sledgehammer! So many hits on this album...

Solid

Sledgehammer, a couple other good songs

So, it didn’t hit me like a Sledgehammer, but I did enjoy it. Kind of like Red Rain on a winter night, is what I think of when I hear That Voice Again. This is the Picture. This is the way.

4.25

More enjoyable than I expected feels very 80s

album longo, mas bom, musicas boas e temas de filme/serie

Red Rain and In Your Eyes were the standouts for me. Pretty solid album. Very of-the-time sounding.

Really liked this.

Liked this which means I’m turning into my dad, probably worth a relisten

Fun, groovy, poppy and light!

most hits a miss or two in there. Love the story behind the album.

can't believe the first one is Peter gabriel. 007

I had listened to this album before, but this time it really resonated with me a lot more. The album is frontloaded with some of his best material first, but the whole album is solid. Love the features as well, especially Kate Bush. Also Tony Levin's bass playing is great.

Any album with 'Sledgehammer' on it is fine by me! Some other good tracks on there that I don't think I've heard before.

Great pop album that is the pinaccle of Peter Gabriel's work. Has the added bonus of being stuff you've heard plenty of times in movies, film, etc

Better than expected. At times funky, moody, or even a bit trippy. Didn't feel the urge to skip a single track, and many were added to my "liked" songs.

Solid album with several good songs. Sledgehammer still a favorite.

Couple bangers

I won't copy and paste my other reviews of Peter Gabriel albums here, but I feel the same. It's a more mainstream release for sure. I haven't ever loved "Sledgehammer," mostly because I remember seeing the video on VH1 and found it to be stupid. Probably not a popular opinion. This is my favorite Peter Gabriel album and it is probably a must-hear album for me. Will I listen to it again? Quite possibly not, as I seem to be a greatest hits Peter Gabriel person. Some of the songs are just lengthy and tend to fade in the background.

Ich fühle mich sehr an Phil Collins erinnert. Sledgehammer absolut kult. Very feely, dreamy, aber mit banger momenten

Such a classic, well thought out album with Gabriel at his peak.

Great album.

This was poppier than I expected it to be. Lots of incredible songs but a few too many that felt like some kind of 80s-style pandering.

Good stuff