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There are very few artists of his vintage able to produce quality writing like this, and deliver the songs with a voice that's barely diminished over all those years. Astonishing really.
Peter Gabriel has been a mainstay in my record collection and in my life too since early 70's. Ever since Genesis, Peter has had a place with all my ups and downs in life. Liking his album because it is him, is something I don't do, every album has songs which I relate to. Now I'm terminally ill, ever song can have a different meaning for me. Superb album from a superb storyteller ❤❤❤❤
I saw the IO tour earlier this year in Manchester. It was my 7th Peter Gabriel concert. This one blew me away like nothing I've ever seen before. It was a sensory overload, a feast of sound and vision. This new material is worth playing in full and is up there with his finest musical compositions. For me, Peter Gabriel is still creating optimal content and is not on the decline that many of his contemporaries are experiencing.
Gabriel's tour concert was indeed a tour-de-force. The audience seemed a bit lost at times as he first concentrated on the new material, but the old hits were woven in, came alive. Peter seems to grow stronger as the concert progressed, feeding off the crowd's energy. His graphic images were stunning and fit the music well. This was my first Gabriel concert and am very glad I attended.
It's refreshing to hear a review of the album that doesn't refer back (too much) to earlier work. Like the new Stones release a few months back, I was getting sick to death of critics harking on how it stood up to previous albums. The truth is, this late in the day, they're not going to, but both Gabriel and The Stones newest releases are both pretty good and lets just rejoice in the fact that both artists gave us something new in 2023....and a new Beatles single to boot. Kate Bush in 2024 anyone 🤞
“But Is it Any Good?” It is not good, it is Superb. As always PG delivers a well thought out and highly moving album. Good review. Wish I had seen the tour. Rock on!👏🏽
Very thoughtful, very well-spoken. This reviewer has taken the time and effort to carefully describe the messages inscribed in the 12 songs of I/O. Said album just might be for me a new favorite and possibly on the short list of my ALL-TIME greatest albums.
I'm listening to this with high resolution streaming, and not only are the writing and performances both mature, yet accessible, but the production is nothing short of astonishing.
For an artist who's less than half a year younger than me, this is an astonishing album. No other singer/songwriter well into their 70s (or over 50, for that matter) comes within light years of PG. I listened to it today (while watching football with the sound off) and I'm absolutely floored by the sonic majesty of the proceedings. Eno and Levin are untouchable musicians. The sound is flawless, and I think it even tops the excellent aural art of So and Us that were landmarks of engineering in their day. Thanks for highlighting the lyrics because at my age it's harder than ever to make out all the words. Record of the century in my estimation.
....care to name the female artist(s) over 70 you are referring to? Joni Mitchell hasn’t put out an album since 2007. Kate Bush is 65, her last album was 2011. These ladies are as good as it gets for me, if you can name someone better than them still putting out superior material over the age of 50 or 70, I would be genuinely curious to know.
"No other singer/songwriter well into their 70s (or over 50, for that matter) comes within light years of PG" I am guessing you've never heard, or heard of, a musician named Steve Hackett?
I saw the tour in Berlin and the last show in Houston. The performance was dynamic. The band nicely organic, Peter still has his voice. The light show featured conceptual artists. Wonderful. The songs really came together live.
In one of his last Interviews, a german Journalist of " Süddeutsche Zeitung" wanted Lemmy to bash Genesis and Phil. Asking if Mötorhead weren t the complete anti thesis of Genesis and how horrible they were. Lemmy bashed back, claiming that he was about the 100th Journalist who made that comparison to him. He then went on to say, that he had no Problem with Genesis at all, praised Phil s songwriting skills, and also pointed out what a brilliant Drummer he was. Saying " If Our Drummer ever was sick and Phil Collins was around, he would politely ask him to play the set, and he would do so flawlessly. Just as an aside
I was a huge Gabriel fanatic back in the day. Saw every tour (some more than once) from his first album in '77 up to _So,_ which I was a bit less than enamored with and really started drifting away. At least for me, this release is rather somber and melancholy (not in a Genesis like way), with a bit too much sameness to it. Lyrically he's on top of his game, but so is Ian Anderson. There was a time when he'd do several iterations of a song, but he was never at a loss as to how to assemble his albums, which is what made the first 4 such dynamic, different and powerful pieces. I'll keep trying, but it certainly hasn't grabbed me after a few rounds. Glad others are loving it though!
You've expressed how I've felt about PG over the last 20 plus years. I grew up with and loved his work with Genesis, and felt equally enamoured with his first four solo albums. With the exception of a few obviously excellent songs, his albums from So onwards haven't worked for me. They feel overproduced, which I'm sure is not unrelated to the time it takes him to finish them. My favourite of his is PG2, which Robert Fripp forced him to complete quickly. I understand it's Gabriel's least favourite album, which explains why I've drifted away from him. But I admire what he's done as an artist, and I wish him well with this new work.
I kind of deserted after his 4th album but being bored after an operation in 2010 my children pushed a computer tablet into my grip & made me join the modern world somewhat - where I encountered the strange phenomenon of retro future by seeing & listening to what all the musicians I’d drifted away from in the mid 1980s had done since & found many ‘new’albums beyond my world in 1985 . I couldn’t believe Yes hadn’t fizzled out beneath the world of over production sometime in 1988 & ancient acts producing albums like PGs’ Up & Yes’ The Ladder & Magnification was a revelation to me. I respect PG but struggle with overtly dark emotional/ intellectual stuff as music but if I enjoy this latest works as much as the first track on Up ( about the monster beneath the table / dealing with your fears & makes you jump out of your skin )then that’ll do me . 😁👍
Great review! I was a teenager when US was released and it’s still an all time favourite. I of course remember the phenomenon that was SO as well and went back to his 80’s solo albums. I began at 14 in the early 90’s as a Genesis/Gabriel fan. And I bought UP the day of release and saw the tour, UP never and still hasn’t sank in with me. However I/o I’ve listened to all afternoon today and it’s still sinking in, the musicianship on I/o is much brighter and vivid than UP and I’m immediately grasped by it than UP’s darker tones.
Thanks for this thoughtful review. An absolutely brilliant album, emotionally and lyrically powerful, with lush meticulously and intricately crafted soundscapes that convey so much depth and spirit. Best album of the year, and quite possibly the best of Gabriel’s solo albums (need more time with it, but is up there). Superb.
I saw Peter Gabriel recently in Vancouver. Hard to believe that after being a huge fan for so many decades, I had never seen him live before. I had not heard any of these songs before. But I thought they were just brilliant. There was one in particular - very heavy on the arrangement for string trio, that just amazed me. Now that the album is out, I really look forward to listening to it.
Both main mixes are interesting in their own right, and I can’t say either one as a whole surpasses the other. It’s rather a mix of the mixes that creates the best overall album. Some I prefer the Bright-Side and some I prefer the Dark-Side. I listened to each track when they came out over the months but man, listened to all at once as a whole entity, they resonate so much more. As you said, Panopticom is fantastic, Four Kinds of Horses is excellent, and for me the top of the pack is Playing For Time. A beautiful and haunting track. Haven’t yet explored the In-Side Atmos mix but I’m looking forward to it. Nice review. I’ll be watching for your review of the mixes.
Although I was initially against the drip feed approach of releases I think it did actually make me listen to each track on its own merit and so when I eventually listened to the album in its entirety it was like greeting 12 old friends. Perhaps because of this I can't find any weak material on this album. One of his best.
Well said, and you've captured my exact feeling about it. There's something surprisingly magical that has happened when the songs finally all culminated into one complete album. Like you said, one of his best - right up there with Security and So, my favorites of his.
I feel the opposite. I was quite alienated by the drip feed thing, and I haven't even gotten or listened to the entire album yet. I've seen PG 23 times and this was the absolute worst tour I've ever seen. Playing the entire new album in its entirety was overkill and again, alienating. I'll get the new album and listen to it, but this method of drip feed I found infuriating.
@@michaelmclaughlin6376 not really the opposite as I said I was against the drip feeding of the tracks as well and only really appreciated it after I listened to the whole album (which you haven’t yet done). One positive of this approach which I hadn’t mentioned was having Peter Gabriel explain in detail what each track meant and the process of writing and recording. The individual artwork for each track was also a nice touch.
This record is the most heartfelt, emotional musical journey of all time. Yes I said it, this One has touched me deeper than any piece of music in my 50 yrs of rocking on this Earth... and I have rocked my friends! I thank you Peter Gabriel, for this gift of sonic perfection you have bestowed upon me...
I feel that this was the most amazing concert and Album. I’ve heard in a very long time. Thank you Peter Gabriel for giving us this incredible journey.
I had become disenchanted with I/O mainly because I caved and listened to most of the songs as they were released and most of that listening was on my computer speakers so I wasn't sonically moved by any of it. So being a lifelong PG fan from the early '70's I bought the 3 disc set and the fist listen on my home stereo system I was blown away by the sound especially the bottom end full and (almost) bottom heavy...nice it was like hearing for the first time 👍 My 2 favorite PG albums are UP and PG1, And very happy to hear on I/O he has continued with that wonderful layered sound full of texture and depth which requires your attention. I'm still puzzled by the differing mixes...what's that all about? But maybe someday I'll take the time to explore further, it will be time well spent. One last thing, I have never heard of touring without having a new release first that's bassackwards...a real head scratcher.
I have been enjoying the full moon releases that have made up this new record and had the good fortune to see Gabriel on this tour a couple of months ago. Great multimedia experience. A true artist and comes across as a real humanitarian.
Having bought each track month by month, it's been a joy to slowly build an album of remarkable tracks... I've yet to listen to it as a whole, but it already feels like an old friend. I managed to sell a kidney and see his show in Manchester (it wasnt full).... I so wished I sold the other one to see it a second time
I first pissed & moaned how much TicketGouger was charging as well, but glad I finally coughed up & saw PG in San Francisco. It was a fantastic show. Excellent musicians, excellent staging & visuals, with PG's voice in amazingly good form. Taking a 15 min+ break in the middle & pacing himself worked brilliantly. Considering I had no idea if & when he'd tour again I figured I better go...
“I/O” could possibly be my new favorite Peter Gabriel album. I already liked the songs as Peter slowly introduced them to us over the last year (one new song per month), and of course I also immensely enjoyed the live renditions of the “I/O” songs at the concert I saw him do in October. But finally getting to hear all the songs together at last as a complete album….wow. This is a fantastic work. It’s definitely Peter at his most reflective, and at his most introspective too. With age comes wisdom, and Peter has tons of it to share with us all on this album. There’s something for everybody here on “I/O.” Of course I love all of Peter’s previous albums, he’s a musical genius. But man, “I/O” is truly something special. We had to wait a very long time for this new album -21 years- but it was so worth it. You can’t rush perfection. Thank you so very much Peter for this marvelous new album, and the equally marvelous tour from earlier this year. Welcome back sir. ❤️
Great video I have the vinyl on my Xmas list. But have been listening to the songs we have be dropped over the past few months and agree with you they are first class.
Thanks for the review. Was hoping the local shop would have it today but hasn't made it here yet. Just as well, I haven't decided which version to get yet. Cheers
Only just got the last tracks, looking forward to playing back 24 bit versions of both mixes. Had a sneak preview of 10 tracks a few weeks back and felt it hung together well. Gabriel's voice is still beautiful - not quite as powerful but like Robert Plant, he has found that sweet spot. The supporting cast are off the scale - it must have been incredible to work with him on this.
This is one of the best reviews I have ever heard when it comes to this new album by PG. I would like to add that this album requires Mental listening.. The music satisfies pretty much everything other than the want for MORE...PG is gonnna have to do something about that :)
Wow that review was hard going! I’ve got the album which contains well written songs with PG sounding in good voice and whilst some of the themes are deep thinking and thought provoking I didn’t feel down or depressed listening to it… now hearing your review I’m in need of some light relief! ☺️
Just like a lot of his solo works, I didn't jive with a couple of tracks, but overall another brilliant album. Especially listening to the songs numerous times. It was a transcendental show here in Vancouver.
I’ve really enjoyed Gabriel’s idea of the lunar release. In the fickle era we live where most music consumers no longer listen to whole albums this is a clever and immersive way to listen to Peter’s work and wait with great anticipation for the next drop. I’m looking forward to getting this on vinyl and listening egregiously end-to-end.
Thank you for this thoughtful review which allows for me to have still my own take while giving me tools with which to proceed my own exploration of this work.
One of my favorites of Gabriel with many pleasant life experiences of loss love and harmony...great effort 👌 I wish I knew he was touring he's still fabulous 👌
I first heard i/o back in May and liked it immediately! I was determined to see Peter in concert. It was SO worth the 3 hour drive from AZ to CA! I received my copy of the new album last week. It's awesome! I'm so happy Peter is still here making great music! The band is incredible and hearing Tony Levin on bass is the icing on the cake!
Art rock at its best. I’ve been ‘with’ PG since 1980 and his generosity of spirit and expression is as wonderful as ever. Great achievement and, as we all hope, not his last.
Thanks for the review. Loved the album sooooo much, both the bright and the dark. Gabriel has been singing my life since I was around 8 years old. I used to live with 3 miles of the Real World Studios, but sadly, I never had the chance to meet the great man.
Saw him first in 1980 on the Melt tour. The theatre was hot as the ac was sketchy. This didn’t stop him! I was blown away by this guys energy. Man, I thought what a Genesis show would’ve been like with him. I have seen him many times since and never fails to impress. His performances and music motivate me. I’m sad I couldn’t make the I/O show. Hope he tours again.😮 Cheers to all pg fans!
I've mainly stuck to the Bright side stereo and ATMOS versions and it really is a stunning album, amazing production (of course) and how his vocals are still this good is beyond me. For me, Four Kinds of Horses is the stand out track. Great review thanks!
An excellent record. I'm not normally one for legacy artists making a big sweeping re-entry into the musical space, oftentimes it feels like their messages have been said, their statements finalised and their impact on the musical landscape felt in full, many years ago. PG has made an album of astonishing relevancy, intimate beauty, and for me is unquestionably one of his finest creations.
So you prefer legacy artists go away, give up on their artistic expression, decay and rot away into oblivion, get out of the way of the wonderfully creative musicians and artists that flood the airwaves today and apologise? Is that what you demand “legacy artists” devote what remains of their existence to? Well done Mr RhymeSignature - well done and congratulations
Got dragged by the good lady to see him in Glasgow earlier this year. My word, I left stunned at the end. Currently enjoying listening to the cd in my car. To me, a very thoughtful album and beautifully engineered.
Peter Gabriel is brilliant & humble. Since his days in Genesis, he has been re investing in his own very fabulously. Saw Genesis live minus him, pure pitch perfection. Saw him live in Monteal solo ..he just blew up my mind t5
Managed to get given tickets to Peter's show in Manchester and it was absolutely fantastic. One person commented on how it was nice that younger people like me (im 18) were interested in Peter's stuff. Also its one of my favourite albums at the moment.
I am a life long fan of PG and I am mightily impressed with this album ( both shades). I picked up double CD and Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos mix which is sublime. In these troubling times thank god first people like PG. it has been worth the wait - both he and Kate Bush enjoy having big gaps between their works of art. Long may he continue to produce work such as this..❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks! There are some artists I prefer to remember in their prime. PG is just as creative and fresh today as he was 40 years ago. He can still sing too, unlike some of his contemporaries. Thanks for your review. My guess is this is probably his last album of new material. So enjoy. 😊
@sumosonicman That could be true. However, it will probably take him 20 yrs to release the next batch, like this album of new material. So, he will be on or about 90 with the next release. 🤔
Being a mad PG fan, I've just ordered the album from my regular supplier and from your comments it looks like I'm in for a real treat. Many thanks for your excellent review.
I was lucky to catch his first i/o show in May in Krakow. We went in expecting to be blown away and indeed we were. When he played The Court for the first time I fell in love with it immediately but unable to listen to it as it was released much later. His other track here Live and Let Live is a worthy comparison in the vein of In Your Eyes.
Had the double cd for Christmas, it’s wonderful, saw PG a couple of times when he first left Genesis, the 2023 tour was far too expensive for me. Where are the new artists coming along with anything like PGs talent?
I've been a fan of Peter Gabriel for over 25 years. Oddly enough, in my puritanical upbringing, he is one of the few musicians who was not off-limits when I was growing up. My dad bought UP as soon as it came out in 2002, and I've been waiting YEARS for this album to come out. The bummer is that I learned of this new album (I/O) in the wee hours of the morning. I gotta fight the urge to stay up all night listening to it. It's been an exciting few years for new albums: Iron Maiden in 2021, Megadeth in 2022, Metallica in early 2023, and now Peter Gabriel.
I too am dithering over the different mixes. I would like to get just one mix on vinyl, but i don't know which, plus a Blu-ray of the atmos mix. I saw him on his first solo tour, PG1, and then Up. This is an album i would normally have pre-ordered but which? Dark or Bright?
Each Peter Gabriel Album has its own quality an this new one will also be often played (in opposite to the most mainstream chart hits of the last years) in the next decades.
A choir where there is no salvation. You’ve done an extra wonderful job on this review… Thoughtfulness your insights, your inclusion of quotes from other writers… Well done
I think I prefer the dark side mix generally, it feels more cohesive as an album. Some great bright side mixes, although the bass drum on the song i/o is absolutely ridiculous! Some songs i've listened to more than others since their monthly releases and its nice to have a physical product to listen to in full. A slow burner I think this one.
Inspiring review. My first impression was full of doubts, personally I think Peter was born to record PG3 and PG4, those are his masterpieces. I found the lyrics in i/o stronger than the music. Got to listen it again. Regards from Mexico City.
Interestingly, this may be Gabriel's best album to date. It's between this and "So" obviously - "So" is maybe a bit too commercial and very 80s sounding, but it has some of the most beautiful songs written by Peter (Don't Give Up & In Your Eyes, which is arguably his greatest song). It's simply beautiful (and maybe paradoxical) that his (probably) last album turns out to be his best.
I'm now looking forward to hearing this complete album. I've been frustrated by all the entrepreneurial marketing hype of the monthly moon cycle releases to date- bright side/dark side, surrounding this, and I don't like this particular promotional/cottage industry 'tease' approach to his music releases. Something that PG has had a tendency, in his latter years to fall into,. A way of using music streams and social media as a drip feed first. Please just let us hear the songs otherwise it's too contrived. Having opted out of all that, and saved some of what time Ive got left, I can now enjoy the work completely in one listen. And Hey! Who knows? Maybe a complete YT video of each monthly release.Anyone else notice The Blue Nile inflicted influences on PG?
Couldn't agree more. This drip feet shit has been simply annoying, as well as the "dark side" "light side" mixes. NO alternate mix is the slightest bit interesting until you KNOW the song already.
My children and my lovely grandchildren, resemble me physically. Some have my nose and my smile. It's easy to see we're... connected, somehow. That's before we come to some intellectual traits that we seem to share; like we're all really, really, good at numbers/mathematics, which is slightly strange really. Where did that come from? So, it would appear that bits of us, by some interesting process, don't die and vanish, but live on and repeat.
“The Court” wasn’t written about cancel culture. Thought it had to do with the wider scope of social media justice, but I was wrong too. Peter discussed the track and said it’s inspired by justice systems without much corruption. Here is the full clip: “In The Court I’m talking about the justice system which clearly works much better for those in countries without a lot of corruption and able to pay good lawyers. There’s a brilliant organisation called NAMATI whose mission is to provide people around the world access to justice. They do a brilliant job assembling teams around the world to help with different issues, so their work is also an inspiration.”
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There are very few artists of his vintage able to produce quality writing like this, and deliver the songs with a voice that's barely diminished over all those years. Astonishing really.
Ah, if only the writing were, as you say, quality. Sadly it's not.
Peter Gabriel has been a mainstay in my record collection and in my life too since early 70's. Ever since Genesis, Peter has had a place with all my ups and downs in life. Liking his album because it is him, is something I don't do, every album has songs which I relate to. Now I'm terminally ill, ever song can have a different meaning for me. Superb album from a superb storyteller ❤❤❤❤
I saw the IO tour earlier this year in Manchester. It was my 7th Peter Gabriel concert. This one blew me away like nothing I've ever seen before. It was a sensory overload, a feast of sound and vision. This new material is worth playing in full and is up there with his finest musical compositions. For me, Peter Gabriel is still creating optimal content and is not on the decline that many of his contemporaries are experiencing.
Gabriel's tour concert was indeed a tour-de-force. The audience seemed a bit lost at times as he first concentrated on the new material, but the old hits were woven in, came alive. Peter seems to grow stronger as the concert progressed, feeding off the crowd's energy. His graphic images were stunning and fit the music well. This was my first Gabriel concert and am very glad I attended.
It's refreshing to hear a review of the album that doesn't refer back (too much) to earlier work. Like the new Stones release a few months back, I was getting sick to death of critics harking on how it stood up to previous albums. The truth is, this late in the day, they're not going to, but both Gabriel and The Stones newest releases are both pretty good and lets just rejoice in the fact that both artists gave us something new in 2023....and a new Beatles single to boot. Kate Bush in 2024 anyone 🤞
“But Is it Any Good?” It is not good, it is Superb. As always PG delivers a well thought out and highly moving album. Good review. Wish I had seen the tour. Rock on!👏🏽
Very thoughtful, very well-spoken. This reviewer has taken the time and effort to carefully describe the messages inscribed in the 12 songs of I/O. Said album just might be for me a new favorite and possibly on the short list of my ALL-TIME greatest albums.
I'm listening to this with high resolution streaming, and not only are the writing and performances both mature, yet accessible, but the production is nothing short of astonishing.
5* album. A fan of most of the Dark Side cuts. Maybe the Bright Side for The Court.
@@jml-rj5re I have a pair of cans for critical listening, and found the Bright side mix a little cleaner, but it's good to have both to compare.
The album really clicked for me when I saw him live on the tour. The vinyl pressing sounds amazing
For an artist who's less than half a year younger than me, this is an astonishing album. No other singer/songwriter well into their 70s (or over 50, for that matter) comes within light years of PG. I listened to it today (while watching football with the sound off) and I'm absolutely floored by the sonic majesty of the proceedings. Eno and Levin are untouchable musicians. The sound is flawless, and I think it even tops the excellent aural art of So and Us that were landmarks of engineering in their day. Thanks for highlighting the lyrics because at my age it's harder than ever to make out all the words. Record of the century in my estimation.
Agree I listened to the album the same way. Love listening to music while watching sports. Great to have new music from PG.
Male maybe, female I would differ
....care to name the female artist(s) over 70 you are referring to? Joni Mitchell hasn’t put out an album since 2007. Kate Bush is 65, her last album was 2011. These ladies are as good as it gets for me, if you can name someone better than them still putting out superior material over the age of 50 or 70, I would be genuinely curious to know.
Laurie Anderson?@@jimmycampbell78
"No other singer/songwriter well into their 70s (or over 50, for that matter) comes within light years of PG"
I am guessing you've never heard, or heard of, a musician named Steve Hackett?
I saw the tour in Berlin and the last show in Houston. The performance was dynamic. The band nicely organic, Peter still has his voice. The light show featured conceptual artists. Wonderful. The songs really came together live.
A man in a Motorhead shirt giving an in-depth review of a Peter Gabriel album is really what it's all about!🤘
Indeed
In one of his last Interviews, a german Journalist of " Süddeutsche Zeitung" wanted Lemmy to bash Genesis and Phil. Asking if Mötorhead weren t the complete anti thesis of Genesis and how horrible they were. Lemmy bashed back, claiming that he was about the 100th Journalist who made that comparison to him. He then went on to say, that he had no Problem with Genesis at all, praised Phil s songwriting skills, and also pointed out what a brilliant Drummer he was. Saying " If Our Drummer ever was sick and Phil Collins was around, he would politely ask him to play the set, and he would do so flawlessly. Just as an aside
Was able to see Gabriel in Vancouver he was really good played for 2 hours and 30 minutes, can’t wait to get a physical copy of I.o.
I was a huge Gabriel fanatic back in the day. Saw every tour (some more than once) from his first album in '77 up to _So,_ which I was a bit less than enamored with and really started drifting away. At least for me, this release is rather somber and melancholy (not in a Genesis like way), with a bit too much sameness to it. Lyrically he's on top of his game, but so is Ian Anderson. There was a time when he'd do several iterations of a song, but he was never at a loss as to how to assemble his albums, which is what made the first 4 such dynamic, different and powerful pieces. I'll keep trying, but it certainly hasn't grabbed me after a few rounds. Glad others are loving it though!
You've expressed how I've felt about PG over the last 20 plus years. I grew up with and loved his work with Genesis, and felt equally enamoured with his first four solo albums. With the exception of a few obviously excellent songs, his albums from So onwards haven't worked for me. They feel overproduced, which I'm sure is not unrelated to the time it takes him to finish them. My favourite of his is PG2, which Robert Fripp forced him to complete quickly. I understand it's Gabriel's least favourite album, which explains why I've drifted away from him.
But I admire what he's done as an artist, and I wish him well with this new work.
@@stefanlacny814I agree about pg2 its brilliant.. I also cant get into this new material.
I kind of deserted after his 4th album but being bored after an operation in 2010 my children pushed a computer tablet into my grip & made me join the modern world somewhat - where I encountered the strange phenomenon of retro future by seeing & listening to what all the musicians I’d drifted away from in the mid 1980s had done since & found many ‘new’albums beyond my world in 1985 . I couldn’t believe Yes hadn’t fizzled out beneath the world of over production sometime in 1988 & ancient acts producing albums like PGs’ Up & Yes’ The Ladder & Magnification was a revelation to me. I respect PG but struggle with overtly dark emotional/ intellectual stuff as music but if I enjoy this latest works as much as the first track on Up ( about the monster beneath the table / dealing with your fears & makes you jump out of your skin )then that’ll do me . 😁👍
The tour for this album was fantastic, he was outstanding
Fox head deployed ?
Great review! I was a teenager when US was released and it’s still an all time favourite. I of course remember the phenomenon that was SO as well and went back to his 80’s solo albums. I began at 14 in the early 90’s as a Genesis/Gabriel fan. And I bought UP the day of release and saw the tour, UP never and still hasn’t sank in with me. However I/o I’ve listened to all afternoon today and it’s still sinking in, the musicianship on I/o is much brighter and vivid than UP and I’m immediately grasped by it than UP’s darker tones.
Thanks for this thoughtful review. An absolutely brilliant album, emotionally and lyrically powerful, with lush meticulously and intricately crafted soundscapes that convey so much depth and spirit. Best album of the year, and quite possibly the best of Gabriel’s solo albums (need more time with it, but is up there). Superb.
I saw Peter Gabriel recently in Vancouver. Hard to believe that after being a huge fan for so many decades, I had never seen him live before. I had not heard any of these songs before. But I thought they were just brilliant. There was one in particular - very heavy on the arrangement for string trio, that just amazed me. Now that the album is out, I really look forward to listening to it.
Olive tree is my fave off the record,loved the tour.
Both main mixes are interesting in their own right, and I can’t say either one as a whole surpasses the other. It’s rather a mix of the mixes that creates the best overall album. Some I prefer the Bright-Side and some I prefer the Dark-Side. I listened to each track when they came out over the months but man, listened to all at once as a whole entity, they resonate so much more. As you said, Panopticom is fantastic, Four Kinds of Horses is excellent, and for me the top of the pack is Playing For Time. A beautiful and haunting track. Haven’t yet explored the In-Side Atmos mix but I’m looking forward to it. Nice review. I’ll be watching for your review of the mixes.
Although I was initially against the drip feed approach of releases I think it did actually make me listen to each track on its own merit and so when I eventually listened to the album in its entirety it was like greeting 12 old friends. Perhaps because of this I can't find any weak material on this album. One of his best.
Well said, and you've captured my exact feeling about it. There's something surprisingly magical that has happened when the songs finally all culminated into one complete album. Like you said, one of his best - right up there with Security and So, my favorites of his.
I feel the opposite. I was quite alienated by the drip feed thing, and I haven't even gotten or listened to the entire album yet. I've seen PG 23 times and this was the absolute worst tour I've ever seen. Playing the entire new album in its entirety was overkill and again, alienating. I'll get the new album and listen to it, but this method of drip feed I found infuriating.
@@michaelmclaughlin6376 not really the opposite as I said I was against the drip feeding of the tracks as well and only really appreciated it after I listened to the whole album (which you haven’t yet done).
One positive of this approach which I hadn’t mentioned was having Peter Gabriel explain in detail what each track meant and the process of writing and recording. The individual artwork for each track was also a nice touch.
This record is the most heartfelt, emotional musical journey of all time. Yes I said it, this One has touched me deeper than any piece of music in my 50 yrs of rocking on this Earth... and I have rocked my friends! I thank you Peter Gabriel, for this gift of sonic perfection you have bestowed upon me...
I feel that this was the most amazing concert and Album. I’ve heard in a very long time. Thank you Peter Gabriel for giving us this incredible journey.
I had become disenchanted with I/O mainly because I caved and listened to most of the songs as they were released and most of that listening was on my computer speakers so I wasn't sonically moved by any of it. So being a lifelong PG fan from the early '70's I bought the 3 disc set and the fist listen on my home stereo system I was blown away by the sound especially the bottom end full and (almost) bottom heavy...nice it was like hearing for the first time 👍 My 2 favorite PG albums are UP and PG1, And very happy to hear on I/O he has continued with that wonderful layered sound full of texture and depth which requires your attention. I'm still puzzled by the differing mixes...what's that all about? But maybe someday I'll take the time to explore further, it will be time well spent. One last thing, I have never heard of touring without having a new release first that's bassackwards...a real head scratcher.
I have been enjoying the full moon releases that have made up this new record and had the good fortune to see Gabriel on this tour a couple of months ago. Great multimedia experience. A true artist and comes across as a real humanitarian.
Having bought each track month by month, it's been a joy to slowly build an album of remarkable tracks... I've yet to listen to it as a whole, but it already feels like an old friend.
I managed to sell a kidney and see his show in Manchester (it wasnt full).... I so wished I sold the other one to see it a second time
I first pissed & moaned how much TicketGouger was charging as well, but glad I finally coughed up & saw PG in San Francisco. It was a fantastic show. Excellent musicians, excellent staging & visuals, with PG's voice in amazingly good form. Taking a 15 min+ break in the middle & pacing himself worked brilliantly. Considering I had no idea if & when he'd tour again I figured I better go...
“I/O” could possibly be my new favorite Peter Gabriel album. I already liked the songs as Peter slowly introduced them to us over the last year (one new song per month), and of course I also immensely enjoyed the live renditions of the “I/O” songs at the concert I saw him do in October. But finally getting to hear all the songs together at last as a complete album….wow. This is a fantastic work. It’s definitely Peter at his most reflective, and at his most introspective too. With age comes wisdom, and Peter has tons of it to share with us all on this album. There’s something for everybody here on “I/O.” Of course I love all of Peter’s previous albums, he’s a musical genius. But man, “I/O” is truly something special. We had to wait a very long time for this new album -21 years- but it was so worth it. You can’t rush perfection. Thank you so very much Peter for this marvelous new album, and the equally marvelous tour from earlier this year. Welcome back sir. ❤️
Great video I have the vinyl on my Xmas list. But have been listening to the songs we have be dropped over the past few months and agree with you they are first class.
Thanks for the review. Was hoping the local shop would have it today but hasn't made it here yet. Just as well, I haven't decided which version to get yet. Cheers
I found I much preffered the darker mixes of his new songs.
Great video, and great quotations from other artists👍👍. It might be his last studio album, so i'll buy it of course but nostalgia plays mindgames here
Only just got the last tracks, looking forward to playing back 24 bit versions of both mixes. Had a sneak preview of 10 tracks a few weeks back and felt it hung together well. Gabriel's voice is still beautiful - not quite as powerful but like Robert Plant, he has found that sweet spot.
The supporting cast are off the scale - it must have been incredible to work with him on this.
This is one of the best reviews I have ever heard when it comes to this new album by PG. I would like to add that this album requires Mental listening.. The music satisfies pretty much everything other than the want for MORE...PG is gonnna have to do something about that :)
Wow that review was hard going! I’ve got the album which contains well written songs with PG sounding in good voice and whilst some of the themes are deep thinking and thought provoking I didn’t feel down or depressed listening to it… now hearing your review I’m in need of some light relief! ☺️
Thanks for the heads-up, the album will be in my hands very soon !
Just like a lot of his solo works, I didn't jive with a couple of tracks, but overall another brilliant album. Especially listening to the songs numerous times. It was a transcendental show here in Vancouver.
I’ve really enjoyed Gabriel’s idea of the lunar release. In the fickle era we live where most music consumers no longer listen to whole albums this is a clever and immersive way to listen to Peter’s work and wait with great anticipation for the next drop. I’m looking forward to getting this on vinyl and listening egregiously end-to-end.
Thank you for this thoughtful review which allows for me to have still my own take while giving me tools with which to proceed my own exploration of this work.
One of my favorites of Gabriel with many pleasant life experiences of loss love and harmony...great effort 👌 I wish I knew he was touring he's still fabulous 👌
I first heard i/o back in May and liked it immediately! I was determined to see Peter in concert. It was SO worth the 3 hour drive from AZ to CA! I received my copy of the new album last week. It's awesome! I'm so happy Peter is still here making great music! The band is incredible and hearing Tony Levin on bass is the icing on the cake!
Really value your thoughtful (& artful) analysis of this new PG work. Thank you for this review!
My pleasure
Beat album since US (1992) and I think I may like it MORE. Really a treat to have a new PG album and even better since its actually good.
Art rock at its best. I’ve been ‘with’ PG since 1980 and his generosity of spirit and expression is as wonderful as ever. Great achievement and, as we all hope, not his last.
Thanks for the review. Loved the album sooooo much, both the bright and the dark. Gabriel has been singing my life since I was around 8 years old. I used to live with 3 miles of the Real World Studios, but sadly, I never had the chance to meet the great man.
Saw him first in 1980 on the Melt tour. The theatre was hot as the ac was sketchy. This didn’t stop him! I was blown away by this guys energy. Man, I thought what a Genesis show would’ve been like with him. I have seen him many times since and never fails to impress. His performances and music motivate me.
I’m sad I couldn’t make the I/O show.
Hope he tours again.😮
Cheers to all pg fans!
I have yet to hear any of it, but the complete I/O is on my want list for sure! Thanks for the review!
I've mainly stuck to the Bright side stereo and ATMOS versions and it really is a stunning album, amazing production (of course) and how his vocals are still this good is beyond me. For me, Four Kinds of Horses is the stand out track. Great review thanks!
An excellent record. I'm not normally one for legacy artists making a big sweeping re-entry into the musical space, oftentimes it feels like their messages have been said, their statements finalised and their impact on the musical landscape felt in full, many years ago. PG has made an album of astonishing relevancy, intimate beauty, and for me is unquestionably one of his finest creations.
So you prefer legacy artists go away, give up on their artistic expression, decay and rot away into oblivion, get out of the way of the wonderfully creative musicians and artists that flood the airwaves today and apologise?
Is that what you demand “legacy artists” devote what remains of their existence to?
Well done Mr RhymeSignature - well done and congratulations
@@PetraKann not entirely sure where you got this assumption of my opinions from, cool cool cool, good conversation.
Thank you for this beautifully done video. I'll go and listen to this one now!
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Just listened to it in Dolby Atmos (in-side mix)
Wow….sounds brilliant
Mixed so well.
Was a fan of the dark mix version until I heard this. 👍
Got dragged by the good lady to see him in Glasgow earlier this year. My word, I left stunned at the end. Currently enjoying listening to the cd in my car. To me, a very thoughtful album and beautifully engineered.
Peter Gabriel is brilliant & humble. Since his days in Genesis, he has been re investing in his own very fabulously. Saw Genesis live minus him, pure pitch perfection. Saw him live in Monteal solo ..he just blew up my mind t5
A great review Barry, very thoughtful and revealing.
I’m not quite into the album yet, but I’m sure it will come!
on the Christmas present list wonderful and welcome a new Peter album cant wait to purchase Mr G has still got it.
Managed to get given tickets to Peter's show in Manchester and it was absolutely fantastic. One person commented on how it was nice that younger people like me (im 18) were interested in Peter's stuff. Also its one of my favourite albums at the moment.
I am a life long fan of PG and I am mightily impressed with this album ( both shades). I picked up double CD and Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos mix which is sublime.
In these troubling times thank god first people like PG. it has been worth the wait - both he and Kate Bush enjoy having big gaps between their works of art.
Long may he continue to produce work such as this..❤❤❤❤❤
I didn't get to see the concert here in Copenhagen , it got very good reviews Peter's singing was highlighted.
The gigs were a bit pricy for me
Thanks! There are some artists I prefer to remember in their prime. PG is just as creative and fresh today as he was 40 years ago. He can still sing too, unlike some of his contemporaries. Thanks for your review. My guess is this is probably his last album of new material. So enjoy. 😊
Thank you for your generosity, and I agree with everything you say about Gabriel's voice
PG said he has 150 songs in various stages of composition
@sumosonicman That could be true. However, it will probably take him 20 yrs to release the next batch, like this album of new material. So, he will be on or about 90 with the next release. 🤔
Being a mad PG fan, I've just ordered the album from my regular supplier and from your comments it looks like I'm in for a real treat. Many thanks for your excellent review.
I was lucky to catch his first i/o show in May in Krakow. We went in expecting to be blown away and indeed we were. When he played The Court for the first time I fell in love with it immediately but unable to listen to it as it was released much later. His other track here Live and Let Live is a worthy comparison in the vein of In Your Eyes.
Had the double cd for Christmas, it’s wonderful, saw PG a couple of times when he first left Genesis, the 2023 tour was far too expensive for me. Where are the new artists coming along with anything like PGs talent?
Saw him in Cleveland, Ohio a few months ago....incredible show. His voice was still fantastic. If you folks can see him in concert - do so!
Same. Was in the front row for that one and what a show! He sounds amazing!
Thank you for this insightful video.
My pleasure!
I think it's my album of the year can't deny it
It's an absolutely fantastic album. IMO, his most complete and solid release since 'So'. And yes, the accompanying tour was equally stunning.
I've been a fan of Peter Gabriel for over 25 years. Oddly enough, in my puritanical upbringing, he is one of the few musicians who was not off-limits when I was growing up. My dad bought UP as soon as it came out in 2002, and I've been waiting YEARS for this album to come out.
The bummer is that I learned of this new album (I/O) in the wee hours of the morning. I gotta fight the urge to stay up all night listening to it.
It's been an exciting few years for new albums: Iron Maiden in 2021, Megadeth in 2022, Metallica in early 2023, and now Peter Gabriel.
I’ve lived with the drip feed all year and saw the gig at the O2 - it definitely stands up! 🥂
I too am dithering over the different mixes. I would like to get just one mix on vinyl, but i don't know which, plus a Blu-ray of the atmos mix. I saw him on his first solo tour, PG1, and then Up. This is an album i would normally have pre-ordered but which? Dark or Bright?
I need to get more into it but love Playing For Time, The Court, and i/o.
Educated guess: Peter Gabriel´s next album is likely to be released in 2049, same year as the iPhone 39 Pro Max.
What a thoughtful review. My wife is already enjoying the album. Nice job!
Awesome! Thank you!
Well going to put it on order always a fan!
Best album of the year.
Fantastic review thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Each Peter Gabriel Album has its own quality an this new one will also be often played (in opposite to the most mainstream chart hits of the last years) in the next decades.
A choir where there is no salvation. You’ve done an extra wonderful job on this review… Thoughtfulness your insights, your inclusion of quotes from other writers… Well done
Thanks for the early review! 😎😎
My pleasure
I think I prefer the dark side mix generally, it feels more cohesive as an album. Some great bright side mixes, although the bass drum on the song i/o is absolutely ridiculous! Some songs i've listened to more than others since their monthly releases and its nice to have a physical product to listen to in full. A slow burner I think this one.
It's an album that give emotions! I know it's a quality of PG, but from Panopticom until the end it's a boom of emotions! I already love it!
Just listened to the new album I/O I loved it.
Brilliant as ever - wish I could have afforded the concerts!
Me to... they were a bit pricey
Inspiring review. My first impression was full of doubts, personally I think Peter was born to record PG3 and PG4, those are his masterpieces. I found the lyrics in i/o stronger than the music. Got to listen it again. Regards from Mexico City.
Solid music from PG
I like ‘’the court’’. Sticks in my head. I/o is pretty cool too.
I haven't heard them all, but I've liked a lot of the releases so far. I saw The Lamb on LSD!
I thought it was the Lamb on Broadway?
@@classicalbum D'oh! It took me a minute to get it! lol! Rock on!
As a big fan of surround sound I would be interested in a review of the Dolby Atmos Mix.
Peter continues to operate at "God Level" like no other can.
Just read the 5 star review in The Telegraph, but will take your analysis as confirmation, thank you 🙏
Glad it was helpful! I've been listening to the bright side mix non-stop for a few days now
It is superb.
Nice one Barry. Peter Gabriel io is a masterpiece of epic proportions probably the best record of the 21st century I love it to the moon and back
I was not halfway through my first listen when I preordered the 4LP/2CD/BR box set version out in March. SO GOOD. YAY!!!!
It's very good. Not as good as "Up" but certainly among the best Peter Gabriel albums. Did NOT expect that!
Interestingly, this may be Gabriel's best album to date. It's between this and "So" obviously - "So" is maybe a bit too commercial and very 80s sounding, but it has some of the most beautiful songs written by Peter (Don't Give Up & In Your Eyes, which is arguably his greatest song). It's simply beautiful (and maybe paradoxical) that his (probably) last album turns out to be his best.
It's very good along with the new Steven Wilson album which hasn't been reviewed yet
I'm now looking forward to hearing this complete album. I've been frustrated by all the entrepreneurial marketing hype of the monthly moon cycle releases to date- bright side/dark side, surrounding this, and I don't like this particular promotional/cottage industry 'tease' approach to his music releases. Something that PG has had a tendency, in his latter years to fall into,. A way of using music streams and social media as a drip feed first. Please just let us hear the songs otherwise it's too contrived. Having opted out of all that, and saved some of what time Ive got left, I can now enjoy the work completely in one listen. And Hey! Who knows? Maybe a complete YT video of each monthly release.Anyone else notice The Blue Nile inflicted influences on PG?
Couldn't agree more. This drip feet shit has been simply annoying, as well as the "dark side" "light side" mixes. NO alternate mix is the slightest bit interesting until you KNOW the song already.
@@michaelmclaughlin6376 Brian Pern no self awareness type irony from the great man I'm afraid? 😉
GABRIEL'S NEW RELEASE IS "BRILLIANT" !
My children and my lovely grandchildren, resemble me physically. Some have my nose and my smile. It's easy to see we're... connected, somehow. That's before we come to some intellectual traits that we seem to share; like we're all really, really, good at numbers/mathematics, which is slightly strange really. Where did that come from? So, it would appear that bits of us, by some interesting process, don't die and vanish, but live on and repeat.
Thank you!
“The Court” wasn’t written about cancel culture. Thought it had to do with the wider scope of social media justice, but I was wrong too. Peter discussed the track and said it’s inspired by justice systems without much corruption. Here is the full clip:
“In The Court I’m talking about the justice system which clearly works much better for those in countries without a lot of corruption and able to pay good lawyers. There’s a brilliant organisation called NAMATI whose mission is to provide people around the world access to justice. They do a brilliant job assembling teams around the world to help with different issues, so their work is also an inspiration.”