III is timeless, as many others for me.
III is timeless, as many others for me.
What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
I agree with this. But I agree that there are some real good ones on the debut, such as 'Humdrum' and 'Down the Dolce Vita'.Originally Posted by firth5th
Debut album for me, and half of the second album - I like very much 5 songs on it. Mother of Violence, White Shadow, Indigo, Flotsam & Jetsam, Exposure.
Third album maybe his best, objectively, but I wouldn't vote for this.
Those are the very 5 I like too. I suppose White Shadow and Flotsam & Jetsam are my faves.
I couldn't tell what Flotsam and Jetsam was about... seemed like its about touching someone he shouldn't be touching!
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
Ugh. Hope not, there's too many songs already about that.I couldn't tell what Flotsam and Jetsam was about... seemed like its about touching someone he shouldn't be touching!
I am going to have to go back and listen to his 80s albums. Back at the time, I thought they were brilliant and felt he was at the top of his game. Particularly on Security (IV). That said, I played them so much back in the day that it would be hard to listen with fresh ears. It's been a few years though since I've listened to them. I do like most of his albums though and disappointed with his lack of original output in the last 10 years.
I agree. III is the album in which Peter reinvented himself. Even now listening to those first few seconds of 'Intruder' reminds me of how exciting it was to hear this for the first time back in the day. Awesome! 'The Rhythm of the Heat' on IV had a similar effect on me. This was a great creative period for Peter.
"Melt / 3" is my favorite. I also really like "Up" and think it is one of his most underated albums. My least favorite song is the one he choose to release as a single ("Barry Williams Show) which I think was a mistake. The rest of the album is great.
I've seen no mention of his live albums. Personally they are my favorites. "Plays Live" and "Secret World Live" are both outstanding in my opinion.
Steve Sly
I can see where Firth is coming from... And indeed Security and So are albums that are produce of the 80's, with what that encompasses in terms of sonic production... Hpowever there are manu albums of the 80's of 70's bands which fare worst , including in Genesis: I'm thinkling of Shapes (which I like side A) or Invisible Touch (whivj I loathe)
It took me years to ppreciate Security (and even Melt), while So was an instant hit (so the Sledge/Big Time sonics went down well with me)... I learned to cope with that 80's sound on those, but even nowadays, if I'm not careful or really in the mood, I will cringe At Shock The Monkey or I Have The Touch....Or for that matter, Games Without Frontier or Don't Remember on Melt
For ex: this "new old track" is definitely something I WTFed/cringed at this morning
Last edited by Trane; 12-21-2013 at 03:36 AM.
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
Why not more love for Up? Very solid in my opinion.
Check out my concert videos on my youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/broadaccent
Plays Live is my favorite even if it isn't totally live. I rather like the renditions of songs from his first four albums (plus non album tracks) that are presented on this collection. The version of "DIY" is far superior to the studio one.
Only place to get I Go Swimming. I saw him do that live for this tour in SF.
Totally agree. I have it in 2.0 and SACD 5.1 which is beyond stunning sonically speaking. The Drop always made me think of the 9/11 jumpers trying to die by being splattered on the concrete and glass below instead of being incinerated to death. Then I think it was in here someone explained that I should re-examine the lyrics because the song is not about that at all.
III
I
Up
IV-Security
II
Plays Live
So
Us
Passion
Birdy
Rabbit Proof Fence
What's with you people saying Scratch has just two good songs? Indigo, Mother of Violence, Perspective, On the Air, Home Sweet Home? I think some of you don't like a subdued Gabriel, but IMO that's when he's best.
Barry Williams Show is definitely what I like to call his Space Balls moment (a point or joke made far too late) but I still enjoy the song and I love that it finally allows me to connect Robert Fripp to Florence Henderson.
I don't necissarliy hate the song, but I think it was a poor choice for the leadoff single.
Steve Sly
I agree about his subdued side being his best. It's the screaming that I don't like. On the air has that cringe inducing screaming. Mother of Violence is ok. Indigo is about giving up and dying! I don't need to subject myself to that kind of lyric thank you. I'll listen again to Perspective and Home Sweet Home to see if I missed something great.
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
2 is hugely underrated, 3 is lifeless, sterile, clunky and downright ugly sounding.
My PG playlist--what remains of it
DIY
Humdrum
San Jacinto
The Rhythm of the Heat
Here Comes the Flood
On the Air
A large part of Passion
mercy Street
Mother of Violence is far and beyond my favourite on II.
What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
3 and Passion are really the only ones I still listen too. Up is a bit of a mixed bag, but when it's good it's excellent. 4 is decent but falls short to my ears. Don't really care for 1, 2, or Us.
I think that's as far as I went with his solo career.
Please don't ask questions, just use google.
Never let good music get in the way of making a profit.
I'm only here to reglaze my bathtub.
I
IV
Us
III
Up
So
II
Passion
the rest
I still have the German LPs of III and IV but I don't have a turntable anymore. I also have a few 12" EPs, and the movie soundtrack with his version of "Strawberry Fields Forever" that I borrowed from the library when I was about twelve years old and never returned. Yep, I'm a serious badass.
Oh, and I love "Barry Williams Show". Sure, it was a few years behind the times but hey, he's not in his twenties. He doesn't have to have his finger on the pulse of what makes America tick at all times. I love him and his band.... seen them three times and they were always 100% amazing. Just fantastic.
Interviewer of reprobate ne'er-do-well musicians of the long-haired rock n' roll persuasion at: www.velvetthunder.co.uk and former scribe at Classic Rock Society. Only vaguely aware of anything other than music.
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It actually had nothing to do with the guy from the Brady Bunch, but was a take-off on Jerry Springer-type junk TV. Then they put the ex-Brady Bunch guy in a cameo for the video.
Last edited by Dave (in MA); 12-21-2013 at 08:46 PM.
I agree. I thought it was a return to Peter not gunning for the single and being his old out-there self. I know many people bag on The Barry Williams Show, but I think it is a great tune. Sky Blue, I Grieve, Darkness and Signal To Noise are all mindblowing imo. I'd take Up before the second album, So and Us any day.
I agree, the songs you've chosen are the clear highlights and showed he still had something to offer. Most of the rest, though, I find too 'ploddy'...and 'Barry Williams' may be my least favourite song he's done.
I prefer 'So' because I think 'Sledgehammer' aside, there's nothing overtly 'commercial' about the rest of it IMHO...and it's a much more energetic album.
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