Xonty wrote: I've been obsessed with Peter Gabriel's string of self-titled albums recently, and having just played along on guitar to his debut ("Car"), I've noticed how incredibly well-written his music is. If like me, you know about theory and love it when people break the rules but manage to keep it sounding great/even better, I guarantee you'll be surprised by looking at the chords and effortless modulations on his debut in particular. Anyway, his early career on the whole is often overlooked and there's lots of variety and fantastic songs in there to be found/revisited. Even his weaker sophomore release ("Scratch") has some killer tracks and should get more appreciation on PA. Of course, most of us love his 3rd album ("Melt"), for whatever reasons. However, I rarely hear about tunes like "I Don't Remember" and "Not One Of Us" which I'd consider up there with the others. "Security" is also overloaded with some very intricate and hypnotic patterns, plus catchy songs like "Shock The Monkey" and more lyrical moments e.g. "Wallflower".  Basically what I'm asking is how highly do you rank his 70s/early 80s solo output (in comparison with what Genesis were doing at the time)? Why? And what were your favourite tracks from this period? Thanks for any feedback

Sunflower wrote: I'll have to check out some tunes on Up.

I find the entire PG solo discography to be exceptional. Car, melt, security, and up are my favorites. Scratch found him searching for the identity he found on melt. So is a top quality album, but just a bit too commercial for my taste. Us seemed a bit uninspired, but Up was well worth the wait.

All of Gabriel's solo stuff is just as amazing for me as his work with Genesis. The dude just shines regardless of the situation!

He did do some nice stuff in 80s but he never again released some songs that could be in comparision with that sublime stuff of his earliest solo output - THE songs as "Solsbury Hill," "Humdrum", "Here Comes The Flood", "Down The Dolce Vita", "Indigo"..... 

His first is his best!

Xonty wrote: Basically what I'm asking is how highly do you rank his 70s/early 80s solo output (in comparison with what Genesis were doing at the time)? Why? And what were your favourite tracks from this period? Thanks for any feedback

Peter Gabriel - Yeah that "unique voice & unique style" went on to create his own world finally detaching himself and diving off the mother ship Genesis-I felt it sort of ping-ponged the hardcore Genesis fans to wait and listen to what was to come-And when it did it didn't disappoint-I think his first album (Car) was a great statement and a fantastic start of his solo career, with "Moribund..." "Solsbury Hill," "Humdrum," and "Here Comes The Flood." And it got better with "Melt," and "Security," all the way to the commercial success of "Sledgehammer."
I don't think you could compare to what Genesis were doing simultaneously. Gabriel had created his own sound and even his voice style was different, with World music influences and complex rhythms.
There were singles, one of my favorites, "Walk Through The Fire," and even a cover of The Beatles "Strawberry Fields Forever."

   

Gabriel's first four albums are excellent,and contain some outstanding songs.Would love it if PG would release the b-sides of the singles at some point.Across the River,Soft Dog,Shosholoza,the extended version of Perspective,and Jetzt Kommt die Flut(German version of Here Comes the Flood)are all worth hearing.The Plays Live cd is also good,and contains the brilliant I Go Swimming.By the way is there a German lyric version of the Melt album ? I'm sure this was released after the English version and is titled The Deutsche Album!

The first 4 are all very good but I have always had a soft spot for 'Car'.....such a unique selection of songs and Here Comes The Flood is worth it alone...imo.

Car and Melt are his best, followed by So and Security.