PETER GABRIEL 1 [AKA: CAR]

When it's time to leave, it's time to leave. Peter Gabriel left Genesis, and he left an awful lot of the things that we had grown so accustomed to from him behind with them. This is a new Peter Gabriel searching for his place in the musical world, and he visits some strange new locales on this quest. Peter has never shown off his vocal versitility like this.

4 stars: It's not quite a masterpiece, but it's a brilliant example of a talented individual dipping into various styles to see where he fits in.

Moribund the Burgermeister (very good) kicks off the trip. This tale of monster terrorizing a village, complete with all of the vocal theatrics that Gabriel throws in, is the closest that Gabriel gets to what he had been doing with Genesis. The music, on the other hand, doesn't really sound like something Genesis would do. Save that for the next song.

Solisbury Hill (excellent). What can I say about this brilliant song? This is a mellow acoustic number that wouldn't have sounded out of place if it had been released by Genesis, and it's definitely the high point of the album.

Modern Love (average). Ok, the first place we visit after leaving Genesis country is hard rock with this song, which features hard driving rock andvery choppy riffs, and has an early example of Gabriel's witty sexual double entendres, which were later to drive the song Sledgehammer.

Excuse Me (average). And next we stop by and hear a barbershop quartet! Once again, Peter's wit rescues this from what could have been a disaster.

Humdrum (excellent). A wonderfully grandiose yet meditative song that (taken together with the next one) kind of points in what direction Peter wants to go. From it's very simple intro to it's expansive ending, this is one great piece. I just wish I had a clue what the lyrics were about.

Slowburn (good). The same kind of sound that is featured in the last song, but here it is played more uptempo and lacks the majesty of the last track.

Waiting for the Big One (average). Peter sings the blues! Way back when I first heard this, I'd have rated this as good, but now I have actually heard a lot of blues and realizes that Peter doesn't have a blues bone in his body. Still, it's an interesting try.

Down the Dolce Vita (very good). Peter returns to prog land for a brief visit and we are all very glad to so see him, since he is bringing a musical gift like this one (complete with orchestra.)

Here Comes the Flood (very good). A sad, slow, well-crafted pop ballad ends Peter's magical musical journey.