- Audio CD (May 27 2002)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Umvd Labels
- ASIN: B000065VB9
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #215,994 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Amazon.com essential recording
An epic production highlighted by the clockwork undertones of "Intruder" and the Afro-prog-rock of "Biko," the third in Peter Gabriel's trilogy of eponymous solo titles is a watermark of the former Genesis singer's career. Drummer Jerry Marotta's tight global-groove templates drive the edgy guitar pastiches of Robert Fripp, David Rhodes, Paul Weller, and XTC's Dave Gregory. Yielding the enigmatic 1980 hit "Games Without Frontiers," the Steve Lillywhite-produced opus travels the dark psychic corners of its narrator with a then-profoundly futuristic sound that's no less compelling than Bowie's Scary Monsters, which was released the same year. The cover may depict Gabriel's melting face, but the album marks Gabriel's arrival as a solid solo artist. --James Rotondi
Album Description
2002 remastered pressing. Peter Gabriel's third self-titled album pushed the boundaries of recording technology (it was among the first to experiment with gating acoustic drums, an effect Phil Collins usedlater in his song "In The Air Tonight"). Gabriel's mix of electronic sounds and alienated lyrics created a mood captured in the eerie single "Games Without Frontiers". The song "Biko", which became a Gabriel standard, concerned the death of South African activist Steven Biko during interrogation by police. The song inspired Little Steven to start the Artists Against Apartheid project.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The face melts, the artist pulls together,
By Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 3 (Audio CD)
Peter Gabriel has always been at his best when he explores his almost existential sense of dread. But it wasn't till his third solo album that he gave the paranoia free reign. While the first two albums seemed more self consciously eccentric, PG3 dropped the quirkiness in favor of characters that were scary and foreboding. "Intruder" sets the stage for the rest of the album. Having removed all the metal percussion from the studio, the forbidding sounds of the drums and the creaking scratch of the piano string remain one of the most frightening introductions to kick off an album. It was also an environment that Gabriel held through the duration of PG3, be it from the alienation of "Family Snapshot" to the slyly political "Games Without Frontiers;" that atmosphere of impending disaster sucks you in. This was also the album where Gabriel discovered the earthy rythms that became central to his future albums. Both "Intruder" and "Not One Of Us" take a significant amount of their edge from these arrangements, and producer Steve Lillywhite knew exactly how to make that kind of percussive sound work in favor of the artist. Perhaps it is best exemplified by "Biko," one of the finest politically tinged songs of the eighties and one that still holds up well today. "It was business as usual in police room 619" Gabriel informs us, as chants and drums give us a greater sense of place. It's a relatively simple sound with a softly delivered message ("the eyes of the world are watching now"), and brings PG3 to a satisfying and emotionally charged conclusion. The remaster really does make a difference for this CD, and I already consider this Peter Gabriel's high water mark. But it's also the first of three five star recordings, and a great place to start.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible,
By Brian Ogilby "Ogi" (Worcester, VT USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 3 (Rm) (Audio CD)
On Peter Gabriel 3 Gabriel fully abandoned his Prog Rock past but came up with a dissonant and disturbing masterpiece which also featured world music suiting his soulfull voice. Gabriel writes all the lyrics without a single cowritter for the first time and he also plays instruments on all but one of the songs which add to the albums appeal. Gabriels songwritings incredible particularly on the scairy Intruder, No Self Control, the menacing (ballad!) Family Snapshot and the haunting Biko. This album also earns kudos for featuring Gabriels only studio album instrumental, Start.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Experimental Music,
This review is from: 3 (Rm) (Audio CD)
Peter Gabriel's "melting face" album is an album that I have just discovered, and I can't stop listening to it. It seems to be one of the great post -punk new wave albums to come out in the late seventies to early eighties. The experimentation on this album is amazing, and the thought behind it convinces me that Peter Gabriel is a genius. The only songs that I think slightly degrade the album's perfection (hence the 4 star rating), are "And Through the Wire," and "Games Without Frontiers." These songs are more commercial than the rest of the album's experimental attitude. But, even though I can't stand "And Through the Wire," "Games Without Frontiers" is an ok song, it is just not up to the genius of the other songs. But, these 2 songs are just 2 out of 10 songs. Do yourself a musical favor if you like experimental music and get this album as soon as possible.
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