If you have a Spotify or any other music streaming service that lets you listen to entire albums in one go, I've got some homework for you.
I often wonder if Peter Gabriel knew he was going to have a huge solo career after he left Genesis. Even if he did, I then wonder if he realized what an epic album he created in the MTV-era masterpiece - 1986's 'So'.
Red Rain opens the album. This song, although it opens with thundering drums and powerful instruments, does not paint an accurate picture of what kind of adventure you've embarked upon, although their are thematic elements hinted at in the melody. If the opening cymbals sound familiar, it's because you're hearing the Police's Stewart Copeland on drums. Peter's voice has a great gravely edge to it. The song meanders along with an 80s beat and then finally closes framed just by Peter's voice. You're thinking you might be settling in for some quiet music for now, but it's a ruse.
The song that raised the bar at MTV and Much Music is next and it's a Sledgehammer. The ruse continues with the quiet, subtle opening flute. Then the horn section and that relentless thump announces that we're about to change music history. The lyrics are fromage, but that tune is catchier than Covid. The video for the song was sublime too. Well, that was a good album, eh? HA! We've barely gotten started.
Peter teams up with a few legends on this album and our first partnership is with the divine Kate Bush. A heartfelt ballad about hardship has Peter telling the story while Kate offers comfort in response. The song wanders into a gospel way both musically and even Peter's voice goes full-on gospel and it's a beautiful thing.
If you know Daniel Lanois' style after hearing what he did to U2's Joshua Tree, you can hear his influence here as well in the next two tracks, That voice again and Mercy street.
Then it's time for more MTV fun in Big Time. I love everything about this song. The wordplay and tongue in cheek innuendos are hilarious....
This is the picture features another legend, this time from the electronica genre, Laurie Anderson. The song was already featured on Laurie's album Mister Heartbreak, which also had Peter singing. But the new version is funked up a notched by none other than Nile Rodgers. The song was added to this epic album 48 hours before the whole package was submitted to the studio for final dubbing and mastering.
In your eyes features Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour and is considered by many to be one of the best modern love songs ever written. It also hints at the African influences Peter would incorporate into his later works.
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