Excellent ranking and review. I wouldn't change a thing, especially with your top 4 choices. PG3 was the first Gabriel solo album I purchased. I remember being blown away from the very first listen to "Intruder" with Gabriel's eerie vocal over Phil Collins' powerhouse gated snare, through the hair raising "I Don't Recall." A masterpiece of an album.
I have to rate “Scratch” as the best PG album. He was deep into the Fripp, Hammill, Bowie phase then, with the cover art by the (very subversive) Peter Christopherson. It was a cold, stark, contemporary rebuff to his former band, who were by now increasingly gravitating toward the safe, lucrative commercial market (as Peter would later with “So”) and prior to his socially conscious, then elder statesmen trajectory, which he is now comfortably settled in.
Just one disagreement there...."SO" was not an easy sell to the rock radio world. If it had NOT been for MTV and the Sledgehammer video, I am not sure that SO would have been more than a critics darling. I absolutely LOVE the album, but...its an album that you must sit down and listen to, and sometimes get up and dance to. There are heartbreaking songs on that album. "Don't Give Up" gets to me every time I hear it. But, as far as being a "commercial" album. If it had not been, again, for MTV and the two singles initially off of it...I'm not sure.
@@mayhem492 I’m with you, brother. As a lover of Mr Fripp’s work (and I’d like to think something of a completist of his massive discography) I rate his solo at the end of White Shadow on PG2 as one of his finest moments. An amazing album.
"Melt" is my favorite PG album as well. It's nearly 4 AM as I write this and I've just finished a 16 hr work day so I'm in no condition to accurately rank the rest....just to say that Mr. Gabriel is always an interesting listen. Thanks, Barry.
Great review as always! When my late mother moved into a private dementia home her room overlooked Real World studios and when I quietly mentioned this she just said ‘ooh, should I move rooms?’ 😂😂 Solsbury Hill was only a stone’s throw away too!!😜
Hi Barry, mentioned a couple of times in this video as a contributor, but how about a top 10 of Peter Hammill's work, either with or without VDGG? A shockingly overlooked artist.
PG 3 to Us is one of the greatest album runs in modern music history. You can put them in any order, they're all brilliant. Added to those, Secret World Live is essential, as I find most of these live versions to be superior to the album versions.
I bought the LP of Us in Kazakhstan in 1994. It was a rainy summer and I was entering university. And in my head I was playing I love to be loved. I adore this song. It is always associated with warm summer rain and green maples. Now I have collected Gabriel's entire discography on CD. And the best album is Passion. Thank you!
Pity not including his soundtrack work. Passion is absolutely his best album. . . And I still say that as someone who loves his voice more than most singers in the world. Also, raise your hand if you're surprised at the choice of Peter Gabriel 3 as #1. Yeah, me either. 😆
"Up" is an interesting one, for it's one I didn't like so much on the first listen-through, but after running through it a few times, it kept growing on me, and I now am more likely to put it on than many of the others. In my view it lacks any stand-out hit single, and I usually think that's a good sign. "So" is still my favourite, though, possibly because that's the one that got released in my teens during what I call my "MTV Years", and tracks like "Blood of Eden" and - perhaps an odd choice in what is probably the most obscure track on the album - "Fourteen Black Paintings", are songs I could never tire of.
Not bad. However, I'd have "Scratch" switch places with "Up." And I'd have to put "Us" at the apex of the list. It came out when I was dealing with a failed marriage and also a subsequent love relationship that didn't flourish as I'd hoped, so my emotional connection to that album causes me to be unashamedly biased towards its naked brilliance.
I've always enjoyed the eclectic mix of songs on Car... given that I'm a huge fan of Gabriel-era Genesis it was quite a surprise to see what he had for his first solo effort
Security my favourite but I think Scratch is very underrated. For me the first 4 albums were the best 4. The rest are all worth listening to. He never made a crap album
I agree I find Scratch to be possibly my favorite. There are some weaknesses - including the cold distant feeling - but it is so ambitious and aggressive I listen to it a lot!
As a listener familiar with all his albums through Us,But almost no Gabriel-era Genesis, And not knowing the later stuff - I’d have to go with Security because it has my fav Gabriel track Shock the Monkey. But they all have interesting stuff. So isn’t the one I listen to most often now- But Hey I’ve listened to it on and off the radio so many times. ✌️
Well done! I missed deserved praise for 3 of my favourite tracks. Wallflower from Security is his most powerful political statement and most emotional IMO. Excellent Birds - the version on Laurie Anderson's 1984 Mr Heartbreak LP - is very compelling, but PG's single b-side version pales in comparison. And Digging in the Dirt is his best video and 'therapy song', and I'll always remember the first time I saw and heard it. Red Rain was a great start to 'So', but the rest of it became increasingly dull IMO... Up was such a refreshing return to form with the best concert video- though for So fans that band reunion concert is excellent.
Peter Gabriel 2 (Scratch) will always be my personal favourite, although he has had better songs on other albums, I find that the production and the flow of this album is the most unique and best
Once again brilliant stuff Barry! I always find these single artist focuses to be your strongest suit. While I don't agree with your list entirely - I notice something about his canon: there's always a few tracks that I don't care for. Funny thing: years later, the songs I didn't like are now my faves! PG's music is so rich in maturity and nuance that it evolves with his audience. I for one am so grateful this brilliant artist has shared his lifetime in the music he makes. Cheers!
I have appreciated Gabrial from his Genesis days. I thought his solo albums were dark and somewhat disturbing all the while being sonically cutting edge. Over the years I have seen Peter in concert several times. An amazing performer. Through his darkest works came some of the most beautiful and uplifting works. Sublime pieces that soar. Signal to Noise moves me deeply. as does Suppers Ready. Here comes the Flood is lovely. as is Wallflower.
Melt is my top LP also. I knew how important this LP was aged 10 when my mum stopped the car in Tamworth, half way home after a bank holiday trip. I went to a record shop and eyed it on display. As I did a red vinyl 7” of Pulling Mussels by Squeeze. Alas I only had a few pennies of pocket money left so I bought a PiL button badge.
No problems with the ranking from this end. When I bought PG III and the needle dropped on 'intruder' boom boom ba boom, boom boom never heard before gated reverb drums, creaking hinges and Kate Bush wailing I knew this record was going to be something unique and special. It was, and still is.
I've always loved the synth work from Larry Fast (whose solo outings were recorded under the moniker of Synergy) on Gabriel's first five albums (PG1 through Birdy).
I've always said the thing missing on So was Larry Fast. It would have balanced some of the commercial leanings on it. I do think some great atmospheres returned on US, although Larry isn't on it
Another fantastically rich and incredibly thought out review. Whether I actually agree with your rankings or views is, as always, very much secondary to the compelling content.
I was surprised that Scratch was ranked so low, it is perhaps my favourite Gabriel solo album. I fancy the songs Indigo and White Shadow. I love the starkness of this album.
My favourite too!! But then, perhaps through the years I've become more of a Fripp and Levin fan than PG fan. PG's latest, I honestly couldn't get through it anymore. This (the 2nd) was the first PG album really, because the actual first one was more like a Bob Ezrin album through PG. And Fripp was the first to bring out PG himself. The third and the fourth are also pretty good, but I would put the 2nd on top. I saw him live twice, after the third and fourth, so in 1980 and 1982. Anyway, do not be surprised. Any ranking, mine and yours as well, is always more informative about the ranker than about the artist. Not to mention the T-shirt he decided to put on for this video.
Great stuff as always. Personally I'd have album 2 at the top. Unlike you I think it's a masterpiece which flows and is as fresh today as when I first bought it. But the real winner is Gabriel - what an incredible collection of albums.
Definitely agree with your choice of Number one . I seem to remember the Cassette I had of the album had a different cover. I wonder why? How many albums had different cover artwork for different formats? 🤷🏻♂️
Totally agree with your #1. I've been fortunate enough to have seen all of Peter's tours since Security in '82. He continues to evolve as an artist in ways few others can match.
Great review, Barry. I agree that PG3 was an artistic handbrake turn for him, and is admirable for this reason alone. I have a real soft spot for PG2 - through which I accidentally discovered him and his rabbit hole as a 15 year-old when a school friend’s brother put the needle into the groove and he came “On The Air”. Thanks again Barry.
thank you - a good insight into some varied albums by the amazing PG. I've never heard 'up'- I had bailed out by that time - after your comment of it being 'sombre & a dense and difficult trudge' I'll definitely give it a listen - I prefer that than his more pop type music of the late eighties. He has the most varied styles of music - and I like the darker/more reflective style.
Melt. By a mile. My uncle took me to see him at the old Sophia Gardens in Cardiff when I was ten, just before the album came out. Even through my wonky NHS specs, I could tell I was watching something a bit special.
Totally agree with regards the Top 2. The third album is a masterpiece and the fourth nearly as strong (there have been times when I've preferred it). I would rank 'Us' way lower. Love 'My Head Sounds Like That' from 'Up', I think it's one of the best things he's ever done.
Great ranking video and I agree with your top 5, but have PG3 at 3, Us at 2 & PG4 at 1. I am so glad you rate Us so highly. I have read a number of reviews that sh!t upon it to some degree. For me, Up is an album with many fine moments but I never quite bought into it as a whole. Interestingly, it is very highly rated on ProgArchives.
Great ranking, and very similar to mine (I rank 4 above 3, and 2 above 1). I'd also be interested to hear where you'd place his four soundtrack albums among this list.
I agree with your choice for #1 and 2. Personally, I loved his first 4 albums, and half of his fifth (So). After that, I gave up on Peter Gabriel. Of course, I loved his stuff with Genesis :)
Really great & articulate of review of PG thank you. Agree 100% with your choices, 3 stands out for me too, with 4 close behind & US. Reminds me how NME reviews always irritated me at the time.
One of my favorite artists ever was really interested to hear your takes on these. I agree mostly though depending on my mood I think any of the top 4 could easily change places. I think my personal favorite would be Security.
My order would be 1. PG3. It's where I came in after hearing Games Without Frontiers & realising the Genesis link but I've not heard many better albums by anyone. 2. Us. Fantastic songs. The Secret World tour was the best concert I've been to. 3. Up. I wish he'd do this album live in it's entirety like he did So. 4. PG4. Seven wonderful tracks & Shock The Monkey which I hate. 5. So. Maybe it suffers from two songs having too much airplay but I love Red Rain & Big Time.The live version of In Your Eyes is on a different level to the So track. 6. PG1. My tape got lost so I've not heard it in years. I loved side 2. I've never heard PG2 or i/o.
An interesting ranking, Barry, and I mostly agree. I would put 'Up' higher, though (probably swapped with 'So'); it tends to be my go-to PG album, despite the unsettling opening track. I think 'I Grieve' is one of the most sublime pieces of work he has ever created.
Very insightful and objective review that will be immensely useful for those who haven’t yet experienced PG’s great work. As for my personal taste, I can never make up my mind about which of your top two is my favourite. So it ends up being an imaginary double album of PG3 + 4. Along with your next two picks, the live album, and the great Athens concert video, I would suggest we have PGs absolutely essential works. Kindest regards. John
10-Scratch my Back, 9- New Blood, 8- I, 7-II , 6-Us, 5-Up , 4-i/o 3 -So, 2 - IV, 1 -III . Although I believe passion should be on the list, being an important bridge between So and all that came later. In that case Passion in between Up and i/o.
I definitely agree with 1 and 2, but I’d flip 3 and 4. Otherwise I’d say i like your rankings. Peter Gabriel is my favorite solo artist so I’m always curious to see other people’s takes on his music.
Very nice list here! Melt has definitely grown on me overtime, yet Car remains to be my favorite of his albums. A farewell to the Genesis years, but showing that he still had a little bit of that energy to show off before sailing on to bigger and better things.
First album will always be my favourite, in spite of the Ezrin intrusions. Nostalgia I guess. But I must confess Melt is probably the best of Gabriel's output.
Good job. Mostly agree with this, other than dropping I/O lower - I can't get into that album at all, feels like him revisiting his greatest hits. Thanks :)
Great reviews. For me, SO will always be his number 1 - full of brilliant songs and with no weak ones. All the others have some brilliant songs as well as some rubbish. I love SECURITY, especially San Jacinto, which I don't think you mentioned. You're absolutely right about US. It's a great album and also very consistently good. I really like his latest album a lot and would rank it really high aling with UP. His musical arrangements and quirky instrumentation have always excited me. A truly wonderful artist. No mention of OVO? Also some wonderful tracks eg Tomorrow Today.
I love most of 'US', but since it was released I've always felt the production was kind of muddy or 'thick', which is surprising as it's Lanois again.' The clarity of voice and instrument on 'SO' is incredible, but something is sludgy or not quite bright/clear enough for me on US.
Interesting thoughts...kinda agree with a lot of your points, maybe not as much on the rankings... But that's to be expected with an artist of such artistic caliber: each album may hit differently.
the soundtrack Passion, The Last Temptation of Christ is special to me. listened to it every day for over a year. in my top 3. was fortunate to see the Lam Lies Down tour(and every tour since except the most recent). been a PG fan since.
Should have included his soundtrack albums. Passion is easily his best album. Birdy is brilliant and Long Walk Home is also beautiful. I'd put Up second after Passion and I/O equal number 1 with Passion. Then the rest similar to you. Interesting video.
Great video. I agree with a lot in this ranking, but would change places between Us and I/o One interpretation of your that doesn’t hold up is the idea of Chernobyl having influence on So. The accident was in April 1986 and the album was released in the month after
"Up" I see much higher than no. 7. The first three tracks are absolutely awesome, including the opener - how disturbingly beautiful!. Also the first album is better than no. 6, and both are better than "I/O".
Shawn Colvin did an amazing covers album called Cover Girl. Her version of Talking Head's "This Must be the Place" is sublime as is her cover of Tom Wait's "The Heart of Saturday Night".
I love peter, but most of his fabulousness was in his Genesis. His solo stuff, is a little up and down, with moments of absolute genius, among the Crap. His good albums are probably 3, out of his output. I think to be honest, 3 outstanding albums. Wonderful video, with a guy who really knows his stuff. Fantastic.
I think "Up" is way too low - no way it's worse than his first album or "I/O" which while really pleasant kind of feels like a legacy record to me, with Peter not having to prove anything to anyone cause he obviously doesn't owe us. "Security" and "Us" being above "So" are debatable as well, but putting "Melt" in the top spot is completely understandable. Thanks for the video, I've only discovered this channel recently and have been really enjoying your content.
My top three starting at number 3 would be a tie between I/O & So. Both wildly different albums. You could say that So was Gabriel’s pension plan whilst I/O is his life insurance. Number 2 is Melt, I realise there might be much mashing & wailing regarding this choice I feel this is the more sterile production methods going forward, although the songs remain outstanding in their own right. For me the number one choice is Security. This for me is a more earthier album with ‘Lay your hands on me’ being an exorcism of the last remaining influences of Genesis. A new beginning, a new path towards an earthier percussive style which is why for me it wins out on Melt. Greatly enjoy your musings, keep up the excellent work.
Really interesting video. I do think the Peter Gabriel LP mix of Here Comes the Flood is bombastic though and the Fripp variant on Exposure is much more spare and powerful like something off The Lamb side 4.
Nick Park DID work on the "Sledgehammer" video, but the Brothers Quay (from Philadelphia, PA) were the ones who provided most of the animation. One of the professors who teaches at the art college I work at is good friends with them.
Brilliant. Really loved this Barry. You are so on point and my only swap would be So with Us....but theres not much in it. I find the sound of Us a little lacking in brightness, I must hear a remaster.
The Us album sounds like a blurred version of So. More impressionistic in its words, and more atmospheric in its music. So is the one with the pop anthems and razor sharp R and B bass lines.
I agree with the bottom 6 but the top 4 I do not but the choice would had been hard. I do agree the 80's was his best era. Us at 4, Melt at 3 , Security at 2 and So at 1. I do not know if you do Blues/Rock but I like somebody to rank all 18 studio albums of The Steve Miller Band. .
His best albums are Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel and Peter Gabriel.
Maybe, but not in that order.
Agreed
Car, Scratch, Melt, Scary face
Thanks for pointing that out
Not as big of a fan of Peter Gabriel, but absolutely the other 3.
Peter also did an incredible soundtrack 'Passion' that I consider one of the best soundtracks of all time. He also did the soundtrack for 'Birdie'
Fully agree.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails blocked me on Twitter years 9 years ago because I said he made a career out of ripping off Peter's Melt album. 😂
Well played, Sir!
@@Foul_Quince thank you!
That is a pretty silly thing to say though. The correct response would have been Depeche Mode!
Trent Reznor sucks.
Funny. I’ve gotten a similar response from Tori Amos fans by suggesting she’s made a career of mimicking Kate Bush.
Excellent ranking and review. I wouldn't change a thing, especially with your top 4 choices. PG3 was the first Gabriel solo album I purchased. I remember being blown away from the very first listen to "Intruder" with Gabriel's eerie vocal over Phil Collins' powerhouse gated snare, through the hair raising "I Don't Recall." A masterpiece of an album.
Melt is fabulous and I was lucky enough to see that tour.
As a lifelong Gabriel fan from back his Genesis days, I gotta say, you nailed it. Perfect.
I have to rate “Scratch” as the best PG album. He was deep into the Fripp, Hammill, Bowie phase then, with the cover art by the (very subversive) Peter Christopherson. It was a cold, stark, contemporary rebuff to his former band, who were by now increasingly gravitating toward the safe, lucrative commercial market (as Peter would later with “So”) and prior to his socially conscious, then elder statesmen trajectory, which he is now comfortably settled in.
Let's hear it for scratch! Love the fripp production
Just one disagreement there...."SO" was not an easy sell to the rock radio world. If it had NOT been for MTV and the Sledgehammer video, I am not sure that SO would have been more than a critics darling. I absolutely LOVE the album, but...its an album that you must sit down and listen to, and sometimes get up and dance to. There are heartbreaking songs on that album. "Don't Give Up" gets to me every time I hear it. But, as far as being a "commercial" album. If it had not been, again, for MTV and the two singles initially off of it...I'm not sure.
Love it. Always have, and PG1 too. Magnificent somgwriting with few gimmicks
@@mayhem492 I’m with you, brother. As a lover of Mr Fripp’s work (and I’d like to think something of a completist of his massive discography) I rate his solo at the end of White Shadow on PG2 as one of his finest moments. An amazing album.
"Melt" is my favorite PG album as well. It's nearly 4 AM as I write this and I've just finished a 16 hr work day so I'm in no condition to accurately rank the rest....just to say that Mr. Gabriel is always an interesting listen. Thanks, Barry.
I'm just out of a bakery shift bk in at midnight. Busy time,all the chocolates and pork pies, always hungry when they come out of the oven.
Great review as always!
When my late mother moved into a private dementia home her room overlooked Real World studios and when I quietly mentioned this she just said ‘ooh, should I move rooms?’ 😂😂
Solsbury Hill was only a stone’s throw away too!!😜
PG3/Melt is a masterpiece. I bought it at the tender age of 14, but made the mistake of playing it to my new girlfriend. Reader, she did not marry me.
It's a shame you didn't know her when SO came out
Hi Barry, mentioned a couple of times in this video as a contributor, but how about a top 10 of Peter Hammill's work, either with or without VDGG? A shockingly overlooked artist.
I'm THRILLED to not see So at the top!!
PG 3 to Us is one of the greatest album runs in modern music history. You can put them in any order, they're all brilliant. Added to those, Secret World Live is essential, as I find most of these live versions to be superior to the album versions.
I bought the LP of Us in Kazakhstan in 1994. It was a rainy summer and I was entering university. And in my head I was playing I love to be loved. I adore this song. It is always associated with warm summer rain and green maples. Now I have collected Gabriel's entire discography on CD. And the best album is Passion. Thank you!
Pity not including his soundtrack work. Passion is absolutely his best album. . . And I still say that as someone who loves his voice more than most singers in the world.
Also, raise your hand if you're surprised at the choice of Peter Gabriel 3 as #1. Yeah, me either. 😆
Agree with #1. Sometimes our opinions change over time. Today I appreciate the 'Up' album more than before.
"Up" is an interesting one, for it's one I didn't like so much on the first listen-through, but after running through it a few times, it kept growing on me, and I now am more likely to put it on than many of the others. In my view it lacks any stand-out hit single, and I usually think that's a good sign. "So" is still my favourite, though, possibly because that's the one that got released in my teens during what I call my "MTV Years", and tracks like "Blood of Eden" and - perhaps an odd choice in what is probably the most obscure track on the album - "Fourteen Black Paintings", are songs I could never tire of.
My top 5:- (including all releases)
1) Peter Gabriel 3
2) Peter Gabriel 1
3) Peter Gabriel 2
4) Peter Gabriel 4
5) Peter Gabriel Plays Live
That pretty matches mine. 1 and 2 are a little interchangeable for me
Not bad. However, I'd have "Scratch" switch places with "Up." And I'd have to put "Us" at the apex of the list. It came out when I was dealing with a failed marriage and also a subsequent love relationship that didn't flourish as I'd hoped, so my emotional connection to that album causes me to be unashamedly biased towards its naked brilliance.
I've always enjoyed the eclectic mix of songs on Car... given that I'm a huge fan of Gabriel-era Genesis it was quite a surprise to see what he had for his first solo effort
Security my favourite but I think Scratch is very underrated. For me the first 4 albums were the best 4. The rest are all worth listening to. He never made a crap album
True. But "In Your Eyes" is the worst song ever written, recorded and performed by any British artist in history.
I agree I find Scratch to be possibly my favorite. There are some weaknesses - including the cold distant feeling - but it is so ambitious and aggressive I listen to it a lot!
For me, Peter's first album is easily his best. Melt is #2, though it contains perhaps his 2 greatest songs (Games and Biko.)
As a listener familiar with all his albums through Us,But almost no Gabriel-era Genesis,
And not knowing the later stuff -
I’d have to go with Security because it has my fav Gabriel track Shock the Monkey.
But they all have interesting stuff.
So isn’t the one I listen to most often now-
But Hey I’ve listened to it on and off the radio so many times. ✌️
Nice. At LAST the ranking of this amazing artist and his wonderfull solo discography. Great vídeo.
Glad you enjoyed it
Well done! I missed deserved praise for 3 of my favourite tracks. Wallflower from Security is his most powerful political statement and most emotional IMO. Excellent Birds - the version on Laurie Anderson's 1984 Mr Heartbreak LP - is very compelling, but PG's single b-side version pales in comparison. And Digging in the Dirt is his best video and 'therapy song', and I'll always remember the first time I saw and heard it. Red Rain was a great start to 'So', but the rest of it became increasingly dull IMO... Up was such a refreshing return to form with the best concert video- though for So fans that band reunion concert is excellent.
Humdrum: one of PG's great songs.
Fantastic video. You sound like a fusion of Whispering Bob and John Peel. And that is no bad thing.
Many years ago I named a house Humdrum after that song.
That's right. Long may he reign.
Peter Gabriel 2 (Scratch) will always be my personal favourite, although he has had better songs on other albums, I find that the production and the flow of this album is the most unique and best
Once again brilliant stuff Barry! I always find these single artist focuses to be your strongest suit. While I don't agree with your list entirely - I notice something about his canon: there's always a few tracks that I don't care for. Funny thing: years later, the songs I didn't like are now my faves! PG's music is so rich in maturity and nuance that it evolves with his audience. I for one am so grateful this brilliant artist has shared his lifetime in the music he makes. Cheers!
I have appreciated Gabrial from his Genesis days. I thought his solo albums were dark and somewhat disturbing all the while being sonically cutting edge. Over the years I have seen Peter in concert several times. An amazing performer. Through his darkest works came some of the most beautiful and uplifting works. Sublime pieces that soar. Signal to Noise moves me deeply. as does Suppers Ready. Here comes the Flood is lovely. as is Wallflower.
Melt is my top LP also. I knew how important this LP was aged 10 when my mum stopped the car in Tamworth, half way home after a bank holiday trip. I went to a record shop and eyed it on display. As I did a red vinyl 7” of Pulling Mussels by Squeeze. Alas I only had a few pennies of pocket money left so I bought a PiL button badge.
Peter Gabriel 2 (Scratch) is my top PG album. It's a very melancholy album but the arrangements are superb.
No problems with the ranking from this end. When I bought PG III and the needle dropped on 'intruder' boom boom ba boom, boom boom never heard before gated reverb drums, creaking hinges and Kate Bush wailing I knew this record was going to be something unique and special. It was, and still is.
I've always loved the synth work from Larry Fast (whose solo outings were recorded under the moniker of Synergy) on Gabriel's first five albums (PG1 through Birdy).
I've always said the thing missing on So was Larry Fast. It would have balanced some of the commercial leanings on it. I do think some great atmospheres returned on US, although Larry isn't on it
@@mdrouin4885 Yeah, Larry said that he recorded for _So_, but the parts were ultimately rejected.
Another fantastically rich and incredibly thought out review. Whether I actually agree with your rankings or views is, as always, very much secondary to the compelling content.
Much appreciated!
Pretty much in agreement, Barry, although I'd swap 3 & 4 for his top two.
Melt is a chef's kiss album! It refuses to age, still sounds incredible and as fresh as when it came out 😍
I was surprised that Scratch was ranked so low, it is perhaps my favourite Gabriel solo album. I fancy the songs Indigo and White Shadow. I love the starkness of this album.
Agreed. Surprised by the low ranking as well.
I've always felt Scratch was an under appreciated album.
My favourite too!! But then, perhaps through the years I've become more of a Fripp and Levin fan than PG fan. PG's latest, I honestly couldn't get through it anymore. This (the 2nd) was the first PG album really, because the actual first one was more like a Bob Ezrin album through PG. And Fripp was the first to bring out PG himself. The third and the fourth are also pretty good, but I would put the 2nd on top. I saw him live twice, after the third and fourth, so in 1980 and 1982. Anyway, do not be surprised. Any ranking, mine and yours as well, is always more informative about the ranker than about the artist. Not to mention the T-shirt he decided to put on for this video.
Peter Sinfield, co founder and lyricist of King Crimson has died age 80,he also wrote songs for other artists
Great stuff as always. Personally I'd have album 2 at the top. Unlike you I think it's a masterpiece which flows and is as fresh today as when I first bought it.
But the real winner is Gabriel - what an incredible collection of albums.
Nice to see a bit of appreciation for gabriel "4" / security... personally his most innovative album...
Definitely agree with your choice of Number one . I seem to remember the Cassette I had of the album had a different cover. I wonder why? How many albums had different cover artwork for different formats? 🤷🏻♂️
Totally agree with your #1. I've been fortunate enough to have seen all of Peter's tours since Security in '82. He continues to evolve as an artist in ways few others can match.
Very nice ranking. Melt is my personal favorite, and Us is way up there fir me
Great review, Barry. I agree that PG3 was an artistic handbrake turn for him, and is admirable for this reason alone. I have a real soft spot for PG2 - through which I accidentally discovered him and his rabbit hole as a 15 year-old when a school friend’s brother put the needle into the groove and he came “On The Air”. Thanks again Barry.
thank you - a good insight into some varied albums by the amazing PG. I've never heard 'up'- I had bailed out by that time - after your comment of it being 'sombre & a dense and difficult trudge' I'll definitely give it a listen - I prefer that than his more pop type music of the late eighties. He has the most varied styles of music - and I like the darker/more reflective style.
Melt. By a mile. My uncle took me to see him at the old Sophia Gardens in Cardiff when I was ten, just before the album came out. Even through my wonky NHS specs, I could tell I was watching something a bit special.
I was a teenager when Melt came out and it was a complete game changer for me. It is the Album Zero of my musical taste expansion.
Totally agree with regards the Top 2. The third album is a masterpiece and the fourth nearly as strong (there have been times when I've preferred it). I would rank 'Us' way lower. Love 'My Head Sounds Like That' from 'Up', I think it's one of the best things he's ever done.
His first album still feels contemporary today. I have a lot of time for number 2 as well. Cheers.
Scratch is one of my favourite.
huge Gabriel fan, got to see him on the SO tour in the 80s. Great content and good insight to albums I wasn’t familiar with, thank you!
I saw him on that tour in 1986 at Earls Court 😊
Great ranking video and I agree with your top 5, but have PG3 at 3, Us at 2 & PG4 at 1. I am so glad you rate Us so highly. I have read a number of reviews that sh!t upon it to some degree. For me, Up is an album with many fine moments but I never quite bought into it as a whole. Interestingly, it is very highly rated on ProgArchives.
Interesting insights as always. Least favourite to favourite for me: Scratch, Up, Car, Security, i/o, Melt, So, Us.
Great ranking, and very similar to mine (I rank 4 above 3, and 2 above 1). I'd also be interested to hear where you'd place his four soundtrack albums among this list.
I agree with your choice for #1 and 2. Personally, I loved his first 4 albums, and half of his fifth (So). After that, I gave up on Peter Gabriel. Of course, I loved his stuff with Genesis :)
Really great & articulate of review of PG thank you. Agree 100% with your choices, 3 stands out for me too, with 4 close behind & US.
Reminds me how NME reviews always irritated me at the time.
Thanks for watching!
One of my favorite artists ever was really interested to hear your takes on these. I agree mostly though depending on my mood I think any of the top 4 could easily change places. I think my personal favorite would be Security.
My order would be 1. PG3. It's where I came in after hearing Games Without Frontiers & realising the Genesis link but I've not heard many better albums by anyone. 2. Us. Fantastic songs. The Secret World tour was the best concert I've been to. 3. Up. I wish he'd do this album live in it's entirety like he did So. 4. PG4. Seven wonderful tracks & Shock The Monkey which I hate. 5. So. Maybe it suffers from two songs having too much airplay but I love Red Rain & Big Time.The live version of In Your Eyes is on a different level to the So track. 6. PG1. My tape got lost so I've not heard it in years. I loved side 2. I've never heard PG2 or i/o.
Very good ranking, and very precise rewiews. My ranking is: 1) Melt, 2) Security, 3) So, 4) i/o, 5) Us
I liked Cars and Scratch when they came out . He still had that bit of his Genesis feel left in the tank for those two.
An interesting ranking, Barry, and I mostly agree. I would put 'Up' higher, though (probably swapped with 'So'); it tends to be my go-to PG album, despite the unsettling opening track. I think 'I Grieve' is one of the most sublime pieces of work he has ever created.
I generally agree with your ordering, although perhaps I enjoy the lower-ranked ones more. I also learned a thing or two. Thanks!
Thank you Barry,a top notch albums review.
Very welcome
Melt is the one for sure. Masterpiece.
Great video. Feels like the good old days of rankings and reviews videos might actually be back!
I upload an album review video twice a month.
Very insightful and objective review that will be immensely useful for those who haven’t yet experienced PG’s great work. As for my personal taste, I can never make up my mind about which of your top two is my favourite. So it ends up being an imaginary double album of PG3 + 4. Along with your next two picks, the live album, and the great Athens concert video, I would suggest we have PGs absolutely essential works. Kindest regards. John
10-Scratch my Back, 9- New Blood, 8- I, 7-II , 6-Us, 5-Up , 4-i/o 3 -So, 2 - IV, 1 -III . Although I believe passion should be on the list, being an important bridge between So and all that came later. In that case Passion in between Up and i/o.
I definitely agree with 1 and 2, but I’d flip 3 and 4. Otherwise I’d say i like your rankings. Peter Gabriel is my favorite solo artist so I’m always curious to see other people’s takes on his music.
Very nice list here! Melt has definitely grown on me overtime, yet Car remains to be my favorite of his albums. A farewell to the Genesis years, but showing that he still had a little bit of that energy to show off before sailing on to bigger and better things.
First album will always be my favourite, in spite of the Ezrin intrusions. Nostalgia I guess. But I must confess Melt is probably the best of Gabriel's output.
A controversial ranking & here goes..
10 - Scratch My Back 1/5
9 - I/O 1.5/5
8 - New Blood 1.5/5
7 - Up 2/5
6 - Security 2.5/5
5 - So 3/5
4 - Us 3.5/5
3 - Car 3.5/5
2 - Scratch 4.5/5
1 - Melt 5/5
Your opinion, but don't you think PGII (Scratch) suffers from thin, tinny, diluted, pale, frail sound, especially after full-blooded PGI?
Good job. Mostly agree with this, other than dropping I/O lower - I can't get into that album at all, feels like him revisiting his greatest hits. Thanks :)
I adore all these albums, but don't argue with the rankings.
Great reviews. For me, SO will always be his number 1 - full of brilliant songs and with no weak ones. All the others have some brilliant songs as well as some rubbish. I love SECURITY, especially San Jacinto, which I don't think you mentioned. You're absolutely right about US. It's a great album and also very consistently good. I really like his latest album a lot and would rank it really high aling with UP. His musical arrangements and quirky instrumentation have always excited me. A truly wonderful artist. No mention of OVO? Also some wonderful tracks eg Tomorrow Today.
I love most of 'US', but since it was released I've always felt the production was kind of muddy or 'thick', which is surprising as it's Lanois again.' The clarity of voice and instrument on 'SO' is incredible, but something is sludgy or not quite bright/clear enough for me on US.
Interesting thoughts...kinda agree with a lot of your points, maybe not as much on the rankings...
But that's to be expected with an artist of such artistic caliber: each album may hit differently.
the soundtrack Passion, The Last Temptation of Christ is special to me. listened to it every day for over a year. in my top 3. was fortunate to see the Lam Lies Down tour(and every tour since except the most recent). been a PG fan since.
Your top two albums are the only ones I ever go back to listen to, so it's good to be validated, I guess.
Should have included his soundtrack albums. Passion is easily his best album. Birdy is brilliant and Long Walk Home is also beautiful. I'd put Up second after Passion and I/O equal number 1 with Passion. Then the rest similar to you. Interesting video.
Great video. I agree with a lot in this ranking, but would change places between Us and I/o
One interpretation of your that doesn’t hold up is the idea of Chernobyl having influence on So. The accident was in April 1986 and the album was released in the month after
Love Melt it would be my number one album also from Peter
"Up" I see much higher than no. 7. The first three tracks are absolutely awesome, including the opener - how disturbingly beautiful!. Also the first album is better than no. 6, and both are better than "I/O".
Shawn Colvin did an amazing covers album called Cover Girl. Her version of Talking Head's "This Must be the Place" is sublime as is her cover of Tom Wait's "The Heart of Saturday Night".
I love peter, but most of his fabulousness was in his Genesis. His solo stuff, is a little up and down, with moments of absolute genius, among the Crap. His good albums are probably 3, out of his output. I think to be honest, 3 outstanding albums. Wonderful video, with a guy who really knows his stuff. Fantastic.
Always had a soft spot for the first one. Even remember his first solo video for Modern Love.
I think "Up" is way too low - no way it's worse than his first album or "I/O" which while really pleasant kind of feels like a legacy record to me, with Peter not having to prove anything to anyone cause he obviously doesn't owe us. "Security" and "Us" being above "So" are debatable as well, but putting "Melt" in the top spot is completely understandable.
Thanks for the video, I've only discovered this channel recently and have been really enjoying your content.
My top three starting at number 3 would be a tie between I/O & So. Both wildly different albums. You could say that So was Gabriel’s pension plan whilst I/O is his life insurance. Number 2 is Melt, I realise there might be much mashing & wailing regarding this choice I feel this is the more sterile production methods going forward, although the songs remain outstanding in their own right. For me the number one choice is Security. This for me is a more earthier album with ‘Lay your hands on me’ being an exorcism of the last remaining influences of Genesis. A new beginning, a new path towards an earthier percussive style which is why for me it wins out on Melt. Greatly enjoy your musings, keep up the excellent work.
Clapton Me & Mr. Johnson I like, all Robert Johnson covers.
As for Peter Gabriel Plays Live as So are my favorites. So with Laurie Anderson 👍
I completely agree with your ranking But why do I listen to so the most 🤔
Really interesting video. I do think the Peter Gabriel LP mix of Here Comes the Flood is bombastic though and the Fripp variant on Exposure is much more spare and powerful like something off The Lamb side 4.
Agree with the list apart from the top 2. For me the fourth album edges it to the top spot, but the third is snapping at its heals.
Nick Park DID work on the "Sledgehammer" video, but the Brothers Quay (from Philadelphia, PA) were the ones who provided most of the animation. One of the professors who teaches at the art college I work at is good friends with them.
Love Gabriel, agree with yourrankings
I actually agree with your top 4, and in that order.
Kicking against the pricks is amazing . Love em or hate em , every three dog night album is covers:)
Brilliant. Really loved this Barry. You are so on point and my only swap would be So with Us....but theres not much in it. I find the sound of Us a little lacking in brightness, I must hear a remaster.
Thanks so much!
Excellent review Barry nice one👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it
I think i like scratch more than most people. White shadow could be my all time fav rogue Gabriel song
The Us album sounds like a blurred version of So. More impressionistic in its words, and more atmospheric in its music. So is the one with the pop anthems and razor sharp R and B bass lines.
I've always struggled to decide which is his best... Could be Security, could be Us, could be Up....but Scratch is the most interesting
Another excellent ranking video 👏🏻
Glad you enjoyed it
@classicalbum To be honest, I don't really know much of his discography after SO. It looks like US and his recent album need to be checked out asap!
I agree with the bottom 6 but the top 4 I do not but the choice would had been hard. I do agree the 80's was his best era. Us at 4, Melt at 3 , Security at 2 and So at 1.
I do not know if you do Blues/Rock but I like somebody to rank all 18 studio albums of The Steve Miller Band. .