So

About as generic as Nickleback

Great

Very 80s, mix of funk, early U2, and Paul Simon Graceland. Listened twice.

Drove out to play disc golf at Pineland - Emily had the dog on old speck so hit a good course that’s not dog friendly. Beautiful October afternoon - doesn’t get any better than this (except maybe if the wife and dog were here lol)

Beautiful album with superb musicians. Peter Gabriel had a very strong solo output, this one was perhaps the most successful. There’s a lot of musical influences, mainly pop but also, funk on Sledgehammer, ambient, ethereal soundscapes on Red Rain and Don’t Give Up. Very strong stuff! 8,5 out of 10

Great album. A few pop hits. Definitely can tell it’s from the 80s.

Enjoyable but a bit too surface level

Loved this album.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Don’t give up, In your eyes

Love it.

I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would. That Kate Bush feature on Don’t Give Up was heavenly. Mercy Street and Big Time were also great songs.

Some masterpieces and some filler.

The music is expansive and unique. Some what uplifting. Sledgehammer may have the best video, but In Your Eyes is a better song

a classic but again quite dated

Nice

Gabriel’s So is an enjoyable affair, pushing that revolutionary synth sound to the forefront and layering up the vocals to make enjoyable, classy sophisticated pop. Sledgehammer is a smash hit (LOL), Kate Bush brings class to Don’t Give Up and there’s a bunch of other good stuff in here.

The production is incredible but this has a couple legit not very good songs that stop it from being a 5 star classic imo

Great album. Peter Gabriel is an artist that I don't think about much, but enjoy the music when it is presented to me. Don't give up is one of my favourites.

Really enjoyed the three listens! Lot of sampling which I enjoyed though wouldn’t know how to recreate . Good album, will listen again!

Une ouverture spectaculaire (Red Rain, Sledgehammer...) des moments plus faibles. Une production impressionnante mais clairement datée. Globalement très agréable à l'écoute

Pretty good. Had it on as background noise during a focus requiring activity so didn’t pay total attention but I liked it a lot. Favourite song definitely Big Time.

The production is impeccable, if very much of its time. Superior, intelligent pop with a couple of kicky cameos from Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson. What really sets this apart though are three absolutely bulletproof tracks - 'Sledgehammer', 'Big Time' and the mighty 'Red Rain'. A lovely listening experience - even when the energy dips, pleasure can be found in the aural textures Gabriel conjures. Features one of the Marotta brothers on drums - have a set of siblings ever played on so many capital T 'tasteful' recordings as these jabronis?

This one is just shy of great, imo. I've never listened to this entire album before, but the impact the videos for "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" had on me as a wee lad was overwhelmingly apparent as soon as those songs came on. I couldn't tell you the last time I've listened to either of those two songs. But as soon as they came on, it was like stepping into a house I once lived in. Doesn't hurt that they're great songs, too. My critique here is mainly that the track order isn't right. But we can easily fix that. So, without further ado here is the proper track listing of "So (Taylor's Version)": 1. Red Rain 2. Sledgehammer 3. Big Time 4. Kate Bush song 5. We Do What We're Told 6. That Voice Again 7. In Your Eyes 8. Mercy Street "This is the Picture" gets saved for a B-side where it belongs and now the record is front loaded with the upbeat hits, giving the whole thing a better spread of energy and momentum that propels us to "In Your Eyes" and closes with a more contemplative note in "Mercy Street." That record is a 5 star record. But the one we got is 4. Hopefully, Peter Gabriel will read this and call me next time.

Love this album. Whilst not Gabriel's best it reminds me of my time at college when I listened to it often on my Walkman travelling between college and home.

This was fun to listen to but I don’t need to listen again. I liked Big Time a lot and of course In Your Eyes. No complaints but nothing that blew me away

Classic album of high quality deserves to be on the list, but I personally prefer Peter Gabriel III, this one just a verge too pop for my personal taste so it just misses out on the full marks

I was into Peter Gabriel before this album came out, going back to his Genesis days and I was obsessed with his 3rd (melt) and 4th (Security) solo albums. When this came out, to me it was kind of like his sell out album. Sure, there are some great songs on it but it also felt like a betrayal of sorts. I've since come to appreciate this album, but I still love those other albums more. Those are 5 star albums to me, this one is 4/5.

What a great album. I remember the Sledgehammer video when it came out and the song is still great. Big Time is fun as is This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds) with In Your Eyes rounding out my favourites for today.

My rehabilitation towards 80s music is obviously proceeding apace, as I really liked this, and it's quintessentially, indeed, _archetypally_ 80s. Those collabs with Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson were awesome. I can't quite stretch to a 5, but would do 4.5 if possible. Fave track - "We Do What We're Told", I think - very atmospheric! Probably about half the other tracks are contenders, though, including "Sledgehammer", despite it being played incessantly everywhere from childhood onwards! 😆

Þrír og hálfur, námundað í fjóra. Margt mjög áheyrilegt en svolítið dated níundatugarproduction. Fínt stöff heilt yfir.

Very 1980s production, which is a good thing with this kind of material. Not sure if Genesis copied this LP or vice versa, but In Your Eyes could be lifted from albums like Invisible Touch or later. Big Time is essentially a remake of Sledgehammer, which is fine in my books. The only criticism I have for the arresting and brilliant Don't Give Up is that Tony Levin's superb bass groove in the last minute is not extended - gets right under the skin. And how does Gabriel bring out such quality from all those good collaborations (Kate Bush, Lori Anderson, Youssou N'Dour, Jim Kerr, Stewart Copeland, PP Arnold, Tony Levin...) Fantastic and very atmospheric and evocative of the serious nature political popstars found themselves in during the mid 1980s. Gets better on subsequent listens. It's not all just doesn't get going even if it's all about the lyrics; We Do What We're Told is an indulgent unfinished experiment that doesn't catch fire. Overall very impressive

Mostly a bit slower, nice deep synth backing instrumentals

Some of this sounds a bit cheesy and dated, but it's a fun listen!

Peter Gabriel s'efforce pendant tout l'album d'imiter la voix de Phil Collins et s'en sort plutôt bien, il faut l'avouer.

Huge hits off this album. Sledgehammer had big success and got lots of airplay on MTV.

Really enjoyed this album! Younger me didn't really care for Peter Gabriel. Despite that, this was really good. 4/5

I bought this album when it came out, and was excited to listen again after a long while. I was horrified to realise that it wasn’t as familiar as I thought! Back in the day, I must have skipped some tracks, 😂. The good ones are great, though, and it all holds up well.

I was digging it.

So was instantly impressive to my most musically-oriented friends at the time it was released. We were all big Kate Bush fans too, so loved seeing her appearance on Don’t Give Up. Big 80s sound from Big Time and Sledgehammer, but In Your Eyes is just wonderful. Really like this.

A very nice low four, some very good songs on here and some less interesting

Genuinely loved this far more than I thought it would.

Un 4 por Mercy Street y Don't Give Up

Had some bangers, better than I anticipated.

Not as daring as his earlier efforts, but 'So' finds Gabriel reaching his largest audience ever with songs that are smooth yet still idiosyncratically his.

This was really good, it just wasn’t 5 star material.

Some of the biggest sounds of the 1980s. I always preferred Gabriel solo to his work with Genesis. You know, I miss this whole thing artists in the 1980s did where all of their songs are long as fuck. Yeah, it makes some of the weaker tracks unbearable, but Sledgehammer could be twice as long as it already is and I'd still sign up for it and then some. God help the stop motion animators for the extended music video, though. So... good. 3.5/5.

Catchy classic Gab

I'm a latecomer to Peter Gabriel, having only discovered him in the last 5 years or so. This album begins and ends so strongly, and is evocative of a very specific type of "80s" feeling for me. I love it! If it didn't sag so much in the middle I think this would be an easy five for me, but there's a track or two in the middle that are very forgettable.

Highlight: Don't Give Up

Very arty. Very percussive. Very good. Yeah the production is somewhat dated by today's standards but the songs remain strong. Red Rain and In Your Eyes are gorgeous. Sledgehammer and Big Time are bangers. Love Tony Levin's bass work. Didn't know Stewart Copeland did some drum work on this album until now. An 80s standard.

I've had this album for years and never heard This is the Picture before. It was added years later. So, not really counting that one for the score. Standouts: Red Rain, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, In Your Eyes, Big Time Others: That Voice Again Mercy Street We Do What We're Told *This Is the Picture Rating: 4/5

LP

4.5 didn’t expect to love this so much

Bit too 80s at times, and falls well below the quality of his first 3 self-titled efforts, but a good listen nonetheless.

"All you do is call me, I'll be anything you need." "No fight left or so it seems, I am a man whose dreams have all deserted. I've changed my face, I've changed my name, but no one wants you when you lose." "Don't give up 'cause you have friends." --- Favourite Tracks: Sledgehammer/Don't Give Up/Big Time Summary: Really enjoyed the variety of sound on this album, feels like every track is completely different to the previous. Enjoyed the themes on Big Time and way it was structured to emphasise that kind of lifestyle. I was quite taken aback by We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37) having looked up the experiment that inspired it, worth a read! I have been a long time fan of Sledgehammer as well as Don't Give Up which I feel is a genuinely beautiful song.

So good.

I see the influence of this album in many of my favorite artists of today. Whether the impact was real or not... its certainly my flavor of sound

Very good album, I love the dynamics and theater of it all.

The GOAT. His music is a balm for the soul!

This feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel too... Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes. Lots of progressive, synth heavy music with the exact kind of gripping lyrics and fusions you'd expect.

Really an album of two sides of Peter, and even in just the first two songs you hear the them - the first full of mysticism and drama, the second of funk and pop genius. He balances the two really well to where neither gets too old. 8/10

Funny halfway through this album i was thinking "dang this guy sounds so much like Phil Collins". Turns out I should've known they both fronted the same band lol. Definitely haven't heard this guy's name nearly as much, but it was good!

Good stuff

Love me some happy 80s pop rock. Okay, let's talk about it. It has this cloud of happiness that welcomes you in. Some call that cheesy and silly, too soft and whimsical. I love it because it makes me feel like I'm in a joyful montage in an 80s movie. Pure innocence and fun. It's like a version of bliss. And so what if it's not realistic, it let's me escape to a better place. And for that I love it.

I've listened to this album many dozens of times. It's fairly commercial which is interesting as I think it's more the case of the songs being good, and people liking them, and they end up commercial... as opposed to Peter setting out to make something people would like. Honestly it's probably my least favorite Gabriel album. Then again, I more or less love the other ones, and this one I like a lot.

Classic rock is classic. Hurts my heart to say as I recall the MTV VMA show where the Sledgehammer video cleaned the house. Best song about a penis, ever. Mainly because no one clocked it as such for so long.

4.5 Outstanding!

Very 80s, not always a good thing but it works great here.

I know sledgehammer but the rest is new to me. Update I knew don't give up as well. This is pretty good, obvious 80s Genesis comparisons in both singing and production, but tbh Gabriel's voice is better. I really enjoyed this. Not an all time album, but a solid 4/5.

My favorites were the first and last tracks. The album had a lot of slow moments, but even at slow times the music was intricate and lush. I have a bias towards Peter Gabriel because I just adore the early 70s Genesis albums. I think I need to return to this one to think about it some more. I was listening to it in the car and the wind made it very hard to hear a lot of what was going on, so I'll have to listen without so much distracting noise.

Very good

Finally the album which fully deserves to be on this list! His voice, so dramatic yet not exaggerated, characteristic tunes. So many great songs: Sledgehammer, Don't give up, Mercy Street, Solsbury Street to name a few.

3.5/5 This album is inconsistent. It has some amazing hits - "Sledgehammer" & "Big Time" are great. And some songs make me think "How did it get in here???". After all it deserves a 4 out of 5

So 80s, So Gabriel, So Good

A constant reminder that while Collins was a great successor as a lead singer, Gabriel brought along much more than just his unique vocals. So is filled with great rhythms, grand ambitions and all-round complex pop. “Red Rain” is as great an opener as they come and you just feel overwhelmingly safe in the arms of Peter Gabriel. There’s a few songs that doesn’t quite live up to the heights of the highs. Nevertheless, So is still an album to be reckoned with.

Great album, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, Big Time, and of course In Your Eyes, we're all huge hits. Songs that are still good today

So's wildly spacious production was the workingest part, coexisting in some discomfort with a hymn-like Kate Bush duet. But even that has Kate Bush.

3.5 stars. This is one of those albums that I respect more than I like. The genre/sound isn't my cup of tea but I can appreciate the audio engineering and crisp, clean production. Standout is "Sledgehammer."

Lovely album, flows well and no bad tracks.

some really great moments (in your eyes especially), and a technically great album. it dragged a bit in the middle, but overall was still quite good.

Oh yes, 80s genius and also it contains Sledgehammer which is a true banger with a very excellent music video. Love love love the 80s beats, Peter Gabriel's voice, other vocals, instrumentation, inspiration and lyrics, the list goes on. Generally love it. I got influenced by an ex and his dad many moons ago and I really enjoy this album since, a classic.

ok

Great pop album. 80's were a very mixed bag when it comes to popular music but this album for sure is a winner. It's just very solid throughout and while not every song is a bona fide hit, none of them are actively pulling the album down.

Great album! Love Gabriel, really enjoyed this listen, haven’t heard every song but we’re all very good! Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are two of the best I think but overall great album!

this is amazing! Really funky in parts but at its very best when darker and moody. a lot less silly than other Gabriel offerings and full of wonderful production. Best tracks: red rain, don’t give up, mercy street

listened to again an 80s classic

Positivamente sorpreso, è veramente piacevole da ascoltare e dopo averlo sentito la prima volta sto già pensando a riascoltarlo.

Some really great songs on this one. Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes are really good. There are a few mediocre songs in the mix too, but overall really enjoyable listen.

Ask me to name Peter Gabriel songs, and the first that come to mind are going to be "Sledgehammer," "Big Time," "In Your Eyes," and "Shock the Monkey." The first three are all on this album. Nuff said.

Brilliant album. I'll never turn down listening to some Peter Gabriel.

Though I prefer his more experimental material, this is still a great pop record. Starts off strong with "Red Rain" and "Sledgehammer." Reminds me of being in a mall in the 80s in a positive/nostalgic way.

Didn't expect to like this all that much tbh, but it's got quite a few bangers. Some less good stuff too, but overall I felt this was extremely solid.

Excellent stuff.

Un 4 por Mercy Street y Don't Give Up

Stockholm Syndrome: I’ve got to give it points for the sheer amount of time I found myself exposed to this album. An innovative pop album that has not aged well.

Although sledgehammer is amazing, the rest of the album is mostly just 80s generic pop. 6/10

solo peter gabriel hey will it be as weird as i expect 💥red rain 💥sledgehammer 💥mercy street 💥in your eyes

Pretty pop and relatively straight, but still interesting.

def an album of that time but the instruments are really nice and i like some of the songs. def a completely diff vibe than what i am used to. some songs i prob will never listen again but it feels like im in 1980 america, i get it actually. also, these songs are a lot longer than im used to, they have build up, fade out, introduction of instruments before vocals, very standard musical procedures songs i added to album: red rain

- Interesting and unique sound. - Don’t agree with Apples definition of this being rock, maybe some songs like Sledgehammer, but not all. - Suprising to see Kate Bush on this album - Some songs are a bit too slow for my liking, makes me sleepy instead of interested

hammer on

Good

fajny gosc ladny glos takie okey jakis gosc spiewa mi w tle z lat 80 spoko moze byc 7/10 bo nawet ladnie spiewa chociaz w niemtorych piosenka spiewa tak ze tylko o jednym wyrazeniu i ono jest takie muzyczne jak np kurde ze jest młotem albo zamknij malpe a w innych tak jak lubie że opowiada historie wsensie

I first heard Sledgehammer in a Weird Al polka medley. The next time was by the band Northern Kings. Peter Gabriels original is still my third favourite. Still that's the standout here. The rest of the album is fine and enjoyable enough. Does not blow me away. 3 stars.

This album is a vibe and I’d happily listen to it again. The tracks don’t really stick out to me, aside from Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes (and Don’t Give Up, though that isn’t really hitting for me for some reason). I feel like this album could be a grower for me. Rating: 3.5

Need to listen more but not half as bad as I expected!

A very decent album. The highlights for me were, of course, 'Sledgehammer ', then 'Don't Give Up ' and 'In Your Eyes'.

What to do? Big Time and Sledgehammer are amongst the best songs ever written. The rest is just so forgettable.

💿 tracks I liked -Sledgehammer -Don't Give Up This album evidently draws on many musical influences, but it always seems to have this reflective sound throughout. I'd put in the same musical bubble as Africa by Toto.

Sledgehammer and In Your Eyes were the singles for a reason. The rest of the album didn’t really do much for me.

Rating - 6/10 My first album in the 1001 album generator to review. This is not my preferred genre but I enjoyed the album. Some songs that made me stop and think - Red Rain - Horrifying dream put into a song. Inner conflict if not resolved will bleed out into your life and manifest itself into real life signals that cannot be ignored. Mercy Street - Anne Sexton's song. Beautiful and haunting. Makes you stop and wonder about women in America especially during Anne's time and their lives battling the misogyny and mental health issues. Big Time - Wanting to become "big" coming from a small town makes you a wannabe.

He does his thing well, but it isn’t for me. Red Rain was pretty sick though.

It was fine. PG has never been my favorite, but this was pretty good.

I liked this! I wish Kate Bush got credited as the feature on "Don't give up". I know her voice (from this project) so I was able to pick it out. SLEDGEHAMMER IS GREATEST MUSIC VIDEO OF ALL TIME

It's oke

A bit better than I expected. I liked the song with Kate Bush.

***A good, easy listening album

Sooo 80s

The soulful “don’t give up” featuring kate bush was definitely the highlight for me. With a hit song as sledgehammer i expected more from this album. This album wasn’t really captivating enough to intrigue me for 46 minutes long. I like his earlier work for their complex layers. This album production wise was simplistic and not as intricate as his earlier work. I like the flute and triangle as appearing as addition form time to time. The bassline and groove in “big time” was also something i appreciated. Although i share this opinion i still can see the appeal of this album for people who enjoy 80’s pop more than i do. I have a wide knowledge of 80’s music but it’s definitely the decade of music i listen the least to with decades like the 70’s, 90’s and 00’s existing. I give this album a solid 7/10

This is Peter Gabriel’s attempt to create a big, anthemic mid 80’s album and he succeeds at times. I used to be really annoyed by the gated drum sound of the period but have become a bit more forgiving now that it’s not the default production approach. The two big hits are good, especially Big Time. The opening track is also good, but the three tracks after Sledgehammer really drag. The two tracks after Big Time are decent and it ends on a good track with its final hit. The production doesn’t keep this from four stars; the uneven quality of the songs does.

Es una lastima que la mejor versión de Sledgehammer sea la de Martin Miller Band 3.7

Kuuntelin tän ajellessani pohjoseen. Ei se huonoa ollut, mutta ei niin sykäyttävääkään.

Eh

Interesting and then innovative pop album featuring Daniel Lanois’ distinctive brilliance production and interesting contributions from Manu Katché and Youssou N’Dour.

Started this project on the last day of my high school freshman year, trying to get out of my musical comfort zone. Found this website from reddit (lol) This album is quite different or even opposite to what i listen to now (2000's metalcore/screamo: misery signals, chimaira, converge, botch, sevendust, etc.). Despite this, So is an album that anybody can enjoy. To me, listening to it now has been a soothing and uplifting experience. Album started off strong, and was still pretty solid the whole way through. Branching out from my usual genres was fun. 3.5 stars, leaning 3. Red Rain was the standout. Excited for all the next albums to come during this project.

Initial listing ranking: 7/10 Type of music / Reminds me of: fourstringish potential, sting Thoughts: Insane take, Sledgehammer is kinda overrated, the bridge is really good tho/ The bassist is always killing it. Favorite Track: In Your Eyes

this is another album from my "I admire it more than i like it" list i can see the influences of african music and non-western rhythms and how, in contrast to 80s pop, it manages to give it a more prominent role rather than using it as accompaniment really polished record capable of bringing gabriel's creative concerns to a more accessible yet sophisticated pop sound, and i believe thats exactly whats stopping me from getting hooked to it

Ok

No song really stood out, but decent soft rock. 3/5.

sledgehammer p good, kinda how i imagine songs from that period would sound if they werent disco,

nic specjalnego, taka muzyka z radia do samochodu

Couple of smash hits on this. Don't Give Up is amazing, Sledgehammer excellent. Sounds quintessentially eighties but not much the worse for that.

I liked this far more than I thought I would

Peter

3/5

3.5

It's fine, like, big 80s accessible pop, quite fun, not really for me tho sorry

Pretty sure I will always struggle with the signature sounds of the 80s, and this is no exception. It's not a bad album and I certainly didn't hate it, but the production just doesn't agree with my ears.

hmmmm just a bit too U2 big-issues kitchen-sink-80s-rock for me unfortunately! the first three tracks work well, even if Don't Give Up is really just made bearable by Kate Bush, and Mercy Street is quite beautiful if you allow yourself to feel earnest enough about the whole thing. i just can't really get with Gabriel lyrically though, it's all so staid and po-faced and Important which really drags some of the more sonically interesting tracks down. Sledgehammer, the big single and a manic sex-rock workout amongst big issues songs, is by far the highlight. bummed! i always thought Peter Gabriel would be my guy for some reason! don't think he's my guy!

Like when I got Peter Gabriel (1977) there are some really strong songs on here, but the overall album falls a little flat. Still I really enjoyed Sledgehammer and Big Time; I definitely could see myself coming back to these songs even if I do not reblvisit the album in full. I think I liked this slightly more than Peter Gabriel (1977). Favorite Track - Sledgehammer Least Favorite Track - Don't Give Up ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I fully expected to like this more than I did. It’s such a strong start, with “Red Rain”, then into “Sledgehammer”, and “Don’t Give Up.” After that, it becomes a bit dull until you get to “Big Time” and “In Your Eyes”. It’s also very 80s, and sounds it (aside from “Sledgehammer”, obviously, which sounds as brilliant today). But generally, it hasn’t aged at all well.

Sledgehammer is a brilliant song with one of the best music videos ever made. It is so stupidly catchy, I love the vocals, the lyrics, the instrumental. Just a great, great song. Don't Give Up is really good too, but despite the addition of Kate Bush, it doesn't quite reach the same high points. I ended up liking a few of the other tracks (particularly That Voice Again) but there were more low points for me than high - for example Mercy Street, We Do What We're Told, This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds). Its all very of its time. Ultimately nothing comes close to Sledgehammer in my eyes and it's inclusion, plus me liking Peter Gabriel's voice, means an overall score of: 3/5

Don't really know what it is but Peter Gabriel never hits me the way I hope it will. These are some firm hits but they pass over me, even relative to other classic 80s synthpop

Couple old school bangers on here that I had completely forgotten about, rest of the album was ok

Maneirinho, não me agrada muito não

Good

Very groovy from the first songs, it's definitely more my pace in terms of vintage or older albums! To be honest I do prefer shorter songs, so when they go a bit over 5 minutes I start to lose a bit of interest. Each song has a very specific mood, with different instruments for almost each of them, and the vibes you get throughout the album can varry, and I love when an artist is not afraid to depict or portray different moods or vibes from one song to another! It gets slower and slower by the end, which adds a kind of Thriller vibe, personally it's not my favourite style, but it's always lovely to just lay back and have relaxing sounds around you! Overall I would give this album definitely autumn and a good and a solid 6/10!

Some good songs on there, especially like sledgehammer (3.5 down)

Thought I would like it more. Highs are really high but lows are low.

better than the other one

3.5/5

Listened to this half asleep and still like a 5/10 experience. I guess i liked “Sledgehammer”

This album is ambitious, and I appreciated that immediately. While it isn’t entirely up my alley, the songs are nuanced and layered. The lyrics are emotionally delivered, and the synth elements fit the atmosphere perfectly. I do think some of the tracks could have been shorter, but overall it’s a worthwhile listen. My favorite tracks are "Don’t Give Up" and "We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37)".

funky vibes but not quite my style

Quite enjoyable. What a great voice.

For In Your Eyes alone this gets a 3.

Liked it more than I thought I would, was OK

traust

It's ok. Some good classics, but not overly memorable as a whole.

It is very artful; some of the lyrics are kinda weird. It's alright. 3

"So what??" This is the kind of shii my mom would listen to, but I won't pretend like the music video for Sledgehammer is not one of the coolest mvs ever made. Not bad 3/5

Sledgehammer is an awesome song

Yes.. very Genesis coded, naturally! But I can appreciate the sound of his breakthrough from the past as well.

It's quite good

I heard this album so much growing up (mostly Sledgehammer and Dont Give Up) so it was a nice nostalgic visit. The rest was a pretty light hearted listen, man loves his synthesizer to the point where it overshadows the rest.

Some top notch 80s bangers on here. Favorite track: Sledgehammer

A nice way to start off my 1001 albums journey. Before my time, had heard of course In Your Eyes and also Big Time before, likely in my parents car during a wave of nostalgia. Very pleasant, multi-textured and thoughtful radio friendly music. Would totally listen again. Favs: Sledgehammer, We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37), In Your Eyes

Two great tracks and a bunch of alright ones. 3.5 rounded down

The thing I like about Peter Gabriel is that he walks the line between weirdo and pop star pretty well. This album is probably his pop peak, but most the record is not pop. I'm not sure what it is, as it's not exactly avant-garde, experimental music, and it's not really prog. It's a little Gracelandy, just not as good. Big Time and the Say Anything song are still dope though. 3.5 rounded down, even though In Your Eyes Still touches a brothers heart.

Reminds me of Talking Heads, Phil Collin’s/Tarzan soundtrack. I like Don’t Give Up, That Voice Again. “And I wanna be with you, I wanna be clear”

Eh

I am amazed that Gabriel and Collins sound the same- it makes me second guess if I have been mistaking the two all along. It was nice walking around to this album while wearing Koss Porta Pros; a Patrick Bateman afternoon.

Felt like I was listening to the Jungle Book sequel where Mowgli goes to college.

You can feel the Genesis vibe still. But thats not a bad thing. Many great songs and great overall flow for this record.

3/5. So was the album that finally broke Peter Gabriel into the mainstream as a solo artist as it more openly embraced the pop sounds of its time. Despite being a poppier album there is still a sense of adventure underneath though which is probably the albums biggest strength and what makes it at the very least more enjoyable than a lot of other 80’s pop albums. But this is still a case where I liked it but didn’t love it, as there is still enough of that 80’s production that I personally tend to really dislike to where it gets in the way of a few of the songs. Also I was excited to see a song featuring Kate Bush, but it was sadly one of the weaker tracks here.

A couple of exceptional tunes on this. And it sounds 'different' even though it's very 80sish.

Don't Give Up

if you know me, you know i struggle with “80s sounding” music. but, this albums songs were good enough to push through a good bit :)

Decent. Not my favorite but some good parts

Nothing special just a typical 80s album.

I'm certain that this was Eddie Van Halen's favorite album, he said as much in countless interviews. I think I can understand. There's certain sounds, certain riffs, certain melodies that remind me of the songwriter he was to become. However I can't help but feel that this album truly benefited from a few aspects outside of the music itself: the Sledgehammer video and Cameron Crowe. The Sledgehammer video speaks for itself. Wildly innovative and it hit Mtv at the perfect time. As for Crowe, we can never dismiss Gen X angst-throb Lloyd Dobler wooing Ione Skye with In Your Eyes on a boombox in Say Anything. That scene imprinted Peter Gabriel on an entire generation and never let go. Solid songs and arrangements, amazing guest musicians in the studio, great production. Still has a prog vibe to the pop songwriting. Yeah no wonder Eddie loved it.

It's fine. I recognised a few song from my younger days.

2.5. Very 80’s. Sledgehammer is the only song I recognized. No idea what it’s about but it’s pretty good.

I've tried and tried over the years to get into Peter Gabriel and just haven't quite gotten into it yet. I don't hate it, it is all well made and some of it is even catchy (Red Rain and Sledgehammer on this album) but it doesn't really speak to me.

Ok

Fantastic 80's drums and bass. The writing and composition didn't grip me a whole lot though. Definitely a fan of In Your Eyes and Big Time, other than those 2 I wasn't blown away. Solid 3 stars - bordering 4.

First album I get to review! This is a very 80s album, all the songs are pretty nice, some are groovy some are rather calm. Sledgehammer was my favorite song, my least favorite one was In your Eyes.

Now I know where the sledgehammer song is from! I like having Peter Gabriel on, but for whatever reason I never listen to him.

Super 80’s, melodramatic. Not really for me, but some bits were interesting

Just the perfect background album

Sounds like childhood.

Sledgehammer is legendary. Great album, has some bangers and I’ve known about it since I was a kid

it was good but mildly boring. i enjoyed some songs. feat with kate bush!!

Didn’t expect Kate Bush to hop on a track

Song 1 (red rain)-I like his voice and his background music alot Type shit -he has hella lyrics gangy..

sounded very large and whimsical lots of nice sounds :>

sledgehammer was a good 80s song. production on this is the icture was cool as well.

Good. Four albums in and nothing but white men so far, though.

When Kate Bush comes in on Don't Give Up...thats a moment. The 80's production polish is a little off putting. 4 huge songs on this help lift it up to a 3

The whole album is exactly what made 80's pop what it is... tepid, homogeneous synth droning whoosh-y singing with little REAL creativity. He sounds a LOT like Sting and these songs sound a LOT like Sting songs throughout. Maybe that's the homogeneous part. It's mediocre 80's pop to it's core. The standout track is "Sledgehammer" which is a very good song.

Estuvo bueno.

7/10 Buen album, tranquilo para tener de fondo mientras haces algo pero no sin que sea aburrido

Good album! Very 80s sound with some chill music!

A lot of these I was surprisingly familiar with. Big Time being a wrestlemania theme is probably the strangest connection

I would go as far as to call this So-so

Alright I guess

Very interesting mix of songs. I really havent listened to any of his other music except what was released & didn't realize the many different styles of music.

Pretty ok

Mid

Eh, it’s fine

Me entretuve bastante mientras lo escuchaba, pero siento que si es un album muy diferente a lo que suelo escuhar, lo senti muy relajado y lo disfrute.

Don't Give Up, You're Not Beaten Yet 1001 Albums Generator 267 (4/10/2026) As big of a Genesis fan as I am, I have never made my way over to Peter Gabriel's solo work. "So" is the first album by the man that isn't just named after him, and it is made up of roughly equal parts bombastic new wave pop and more ambient pop pieces. Unfortunately, as good as catchy, energetic songs like Red Rain, Sledgehammer, and Big Time are, Don't Give Up and We Do What We're Told are sleepy and forgettable. Although I will say that Kate Bush totally kills it on Don't Give Up, I just find all the stuff happening around her to be unremarkable. Half the songs here play almost like interludes that are not the length of interludes. It's not nearly as good as the best of Genesis, but at the same time, it's not trying to be. It's totally different, but it's just not fully for me. 3/5. Favs: Red Rain Sledghammer Big Time Least Fav: We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)

So is a well-crafted album with strong vocals and high production quality. It has a very distinct 80s sound, which is impressive but doesn’t fully resonate with me.

its definitely good, but its boring.

Cute

Very 80s. The hits are bangers, the rest are fine. Doesn't really feel like a real album as a random collection of songs and synths

Album #67, Peter Gabriel, So, ⭐⭐⭐ I’ve never really listened to Peter Gabriel before, partly because he was in Genesis, and they just don't seem like my kind of band. So this was all pretty new to me. It’s good! Not bad. It starts off really strong with Red Rain and Sledgehammer, both class songs. It’s a pretty interesting album, very unusual. The production is super 80s, but I do like that Daniel Lanois sound. It reminds me a bit of the style he brought to Dylan’s Oh Mercy and Time Out of Mind, that kind of reverb-heavy atmosphere. My issues are more with the lyrics and the overall tone. Peter Gabriel clearly has a great voice, loads of range, very expressive, subtle and technically brilliant. But it’s one of those voices that can drift into pretentiousness quite easily, and I struggle with that. There are two tracks in particular, Don’t Give Up and In Your Eyes, that lost me. I just find that whole “trying to save the world” schtick hard to take, especially today. I’m probably just too cynical for it. Don’t Give Up is helped a lot by Kate Bush, who’s great on it, but the lyrics on both songs just don’t do it for me. The rest of the album didn’t grab me either. There are definitely beautiful moments, the chord progressions are nice, and the rhythms and percussion are really interesting. But overall, it’s not something I see myself coming back to. Not a bad album at all, just not really for me.

what a pleasant surprise this was

its okay.

It was alright

Ok

Mid

The singles remain solid and the other songs seem like fillers compared to them. I didn't like this when it came out; I dislike it a bit less than then.

Enough interest and fun in the songwriting to keep me listening, and I'd always take it over Phil Collins or Sting, say, but it's not really my thing.

Es un álbum muy soft… para cuando estás en un mood relax, re rain fue mi canción favorita

Nah, it's not for me

My mom played this on repeat. Peter Gabriel slaps.

Some really iconic songs on here that permeated the radio of my youth. Sledgehammer for example I know well. I appreciate the off kilter tracks as well and I was pleasantly surprised by Kate Bush’s contribution.

i can get behind this not my thing but i like it 7.3/10

la produccion es el punto alto de esto, new wave con piano una onda sophistipop suena muy bien, se nota que el estudio jugo su parte. mas alla de eso no me termina de convencer, principalmente los temas mas "solemnes"

It was well made, not really my style.

2 bangers and 80s generic rock on the rest

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Peter Gabriel is an artist I always intend to listen to more of, but I just never get round to it. This was epic in its scale and ambition and wasn’t afraid to try new ideas even if they didn’t land 100%, it can be appreciated for being an ambitious record for sure.

no me gustó

Overall pleasant listening experience. Would listen again if it came on, but wouldn't seek it out probably. Lots of BIG IDEAS that maybe didn't translate, especially 40 years later.

Weird case where the music is mostly good and well-produced, but absolutely nothing about what Peter Gabriel is doing speaks to me. It's default music. A 2 feels harsh and a 3 feels generous, that's how middle of the road it is. Standouts: Sledgehammer • Mercy Street

I can never make this album as exciting as it felt the first time I listened to it, but it's still very solid. I just don't think that whatever he was going for in the middle portion worked very well.

Nice album, given that it's not normally my thing, possibly due to memories of school and school mates who were into his stuff. 5 familiar songe from this album too so there's that

I liked it, but it‘s def not what I usually go for.

It's not my favorite sound, but I can understand why it's incredibly important and can hear the influence on modern pop. It reminds me a bit of Phil Collins or George Michael in sound? I do really enjoy his tone of voice and vocal range. It's also a really long album and I struggle to differentiate the tracks but the live versions were pretty incredible. It's a "not to my personal taste but can recognize the artistry" album for me.

This guy's voice--I know him! I'm positive I do! But from where? I swear to god I haven't heard any of his most famous songs. But I swear to god I know him. Aggressively eighties, love a good synth keyboard. Not quite Tina Turner level but who is?

• I like Red Rain as an opening track, though it might be a little long • Sledgehammer is a really cool sounding song. The guitar reminds me of Superstition and I love the bass work throughout the song • I know I heard Don't Give Up a ton when I was younger, but I can't place where from. When the chorus first hit I was taken back immediately. I also never knew that chorus was sung by Kate Bush • The synth bass sound in Big Time is so Mega Drive-y, and then the bass guitar comes in and hits you in the face • We Do What We're Told and This is the Picture are very different songs than the rest of the album, they're a cool break from the rest of the album's sound before the closer • In Your Eyes is also a very nice sounding song You can really tell that Peter Gabriel was in Genesis when you listen to this album. The whole thing is dripping in that 80's sound, with big production, layered instrumentals and so many synth sounds. There are a few really nice songs on this album, but I only knew Don't Give Up before today. This was a fun listen. Favourite song: Sledgehammer

I find this album to sound a bit dated. Many tracks are also too long for no good reason. Red Rain & Sledgehammer are great songs, but the rest is not quite up to par. 6/10

Decent, lots of synth and 80s pop/ funk

So much synth. So many bangers. So much crappy overwrought filler. So much cringe in the lyrics.

I enjoyed my time with this. Feels like something I could possibly get back to eventually.

80’s classic that I’d never heard before…

Wanted to like this more. Not that interesting honestly and I'm not the biggest fan of Peter Gabriel's voice. The production here though is definitely very memorable.

I preferred his earlier albums on the list, but this was pretty good and Sledgehammer is a jam. 3.5/5

I don't usually like this type of music or 80s music in general but I was actually enjoying this somewhat

Very 80s. Very mid.

In Your Eyes is a classic. Peter Gabriel has a great voice and it's just a great song. Not sure I can appreciate the rest of the 80s style as much.

Nice, I am huge fan of Genesis with Peter Gabriel and his solo stuff is really good. This is superbly produced, arranged and realised. However, from what I heard I might be reserving most stars to the album with the melting face. From what I heard that might be my favourite of his, I might give this one 3.5 on RYM, but 3 stars here.

In your eyes is his only song that matters

Knows how to make a good Phil Collins album

A three for sledgehammer, disregarding the pretention of the remainder.

Yea 3 for Sledgehammer alone.

Yeah it's alright

I didnt listen to the whole thing unfort so this review aint the best to look at so dont take it from me but the first 3 songs were pretty vibey love it

Decent overall. The hits are exceptional but fillers weren’t filling enough

Enjoyable album of songs that I had heard. Second best Sledgehammer out there

Growing up in the 90s, this sounds like my stereotype of 80s music

At first I was unenthusiastic about this album, then Sledgehammer came on and I was fully roped in. Give me more synths and glorp bass I want it all. Not my usual listening but it’s fun and extremely of its time in a good way. 3.5/5.0 Best Song: Sledgehammer

I expected to hate this album because I despise "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" so much. The rest of the tracklist was actually mostly decent stuff.

Well it was a lot better than I thought it would be it had some gems I remember from the radio so I mean I’ll give it a three out of five.

Conocía varios trabajos de Peter Gabriel y principalmente de su etapa con Genesis. Me ha gustado bastante y es un disco en el que no sobra ninguna canción, se puede escuchar todo de seguido y eso es decir bastante. Red Rain es la que más me ha gustado

Some amazing classic songs!

intaoo... FAVS (top 3): sledgehammer, mercy street, in your eyes mençoes hornosas: dont give up, big time i mean, its alright nota final: 3.5/5

So, if an alien invasion does occur here on Earth, they will want to know what our music sounds like. Obviously, music is versatile, but I would tell them to listen to any Peter Gabriel album. He's the most generic musician that has ever existed(even his name, and album covers are boring). Favorite Track: "Don't Give Up".

Decent tbf

3,5

Started off feeling better than I had expected, then kind of runs out of steam for me. The Kate Bush song was good though.

pan piter niby popowy, ale jednak z poczuciem eksperymenta

Спасибо за песню с кейт буш, остальное не так интересно

Вновь распишусь в своем невежестве, но я не слушала ни Genesis, ни Питера Гэбриэла до этого, а единственную песню Фила Коллинза услышала впервые в Алкобуфете Шашлычная. Поэтому для меня загадка не для слабых духом - отличить вокал Питера от вокала Стинга. В целом нормальный альбом для тех лет, наверное, классное было время, видать, когда в музыку и выступления включали столько политоты, связанной с колониальной виной

Как-то скучновато.

Ein Klassiker aber ansonsten nur okay.

The white boys aren’t doing it like this anymore. PASSION.

PETER WHY!!!!! i was a bit freaked out when the generator threw this my way because I have recently began my gabriel-era genesis phase. however I had not yet listened to any members’ solo albums (as I was too focussed on the band discography from that era). this being thrown at me by the Generator Gods™️ and thus the first solo genesis album I listened to… was certainly an experience! of course I had come across the biggest hits on here at some point in the past (sledgehammer, don’t give up etc.) but this was long before I ever gave PG or genesis a second thought. I’m not sure I’ve ever come across an album this BACKLOADED? as in where the second half is that much better than the first?? (sorry sledgehammer!) my biggest gripe with this is the production. it really doesn’t date well. anyway this didn’t really sink in on first listen and I’m slightly loathed to listen to it again. I will however be doing so at least a few more times in the coming days/weeks/months. and while this isn’t really my style I think this is a great example of an artist being progressive in the trust sense of the word, I don’t expect him to stick to playing supper’s ready and prancing around on stage as a flower head his entire career nor would I want him to (well, maybe I wouldn’t mind LMFAO) so I can appreciate the changes in artistic direction on display here. plus I can think of very few artists who can truly adapt to changes in the cultural and musical landscape the way peter gabriel can and has done, even bowie couldn’t take on the 80s like this.

surprised myself how much i liked this one. the dude was a hit maker. most songs do have something kind of annoying about them whether it’s too long, too 80s, or unfortunately in the case of “Mercy Street” that annoying triangle sound the whole song. pretty badass to make a pop album and have nearly every song over 4 minutes AND to have Kate Bush as a feature just to sing the chorus

This album makes my stomach hurt. I can feel the butterflies looking at the hottie across the room at the start of the slow song "Don't Give Up". For good and bad, few album epitomize the pop-rock of the 80s more than So. My high school girlfriend lived this album, so I listened to it often, although I haven't listened to it in many years. Listening to it again was a fun walk down memory lane. I enjoyed listening to the album again. Although, I'm not sure it aged well, perhaps because its sound is so strongly reminiscent of 80s music.

This was good fun to listen to and it helped to get me through the unintended 1 hour walk that i got myself into. very very very 80s

In total, it’s an 80s time capsule with montages of brief case phones and shoulder pads. Future vibes from the past. Echos a simpler time perhaps, but perhaps I’m over thinking it. What a vibe! 3.5/5.0

Red rain - 4/5 Sledgehammer - 2/5 Dont give up - 3/5 That voice again - 4/5 Mercy street - 4/5 Big time - 3/5 We do what we're told - 2/5 This is the picture - 2/5 In your eyes - 3/5

Very 80s rock / pop album that sounds a bit dated due to the heavy reliance on synth, keyboard and reverb. It's a bit too slow and dramatic for me and none of the tracks really grabbed me. But it wasn't bad.

This album is okay. It does have a sound that is nice, but nothing really stood out to me. Sledgehammer was pretty good though.

A couple of keepers and a few I didn't really like. Sledgehammer is an all-timer, though.

6/10 Classic 80s album. Reminds me of being about 8years old and being intensely bored by this kind of grown up album. There was the one great song (Sledgehammer), the track I didn't get at the time, but appreciate Noe (Don't Give Up) and the 35mins of amorphous, forgettable music.

Un buon album, ma stiamo tenendo l'asticella alta

So so la la Oder so guet ? Wür sege so fest es 3

Helt egen sound. One hit wonder?

enkele catchy popsongs... enkele minder catchy...

3/5 - No the most interesting thing to listen to, stand out track for me was Big time, to sum this one up, genereic 80s pop music

Some of the deep tracks pale in comparison to the hits but they are some STRONG hits and I even added a couple others to my shuffle! Also Glass Animals.. Peter Gabriel did it better

Gillar peter gabriel men kanske lite senare.

So, I thought this was a pleasant album, but not very exciting or necessarily interesting? It sounds very 80's, though there are some songs that breaks the mold. It's kinda funny getting this after an Elvis Costello album, which sounded very different.

Alright

"That Voice Again" is a pretty great song. "Big Time" is decent too. Otherwise mostly pretty nondescript 80s pop with a bit of a proggy sound. "This is the Picture" is really annoying.

buenos sonidos

Ochentoso, buena producción, suena muy bien, temas muy conocidos.