PETER GABRIEL 4 [AKA: MASK, AKA: SECURITY]

Peter Gabriel's "Security" is a very revealing album. By that I don't mean that it reveals anything we didn't know about PG, but instead it unveils the true character of many so-called "prog" music fans.

Granted, music is one of the most subjective art forms and no single piece of music will appeal to everyone. Knowing that, I still find it difficult to believe that any "progressive" music fan would give this record anything less than four stars. Well, that's not true; I'm scratching my bald head in disbelief that anyone would DARE give it anything less than FIVE STARS!

My dear fellow "proggers" please understand that guitars, or lack there of, do NOT determine if an album is worthy of being labeled "Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music". Listen BEYOND the guitars and BEYOND the rock -n- roll themes and you will discover a BIG, BIG world of much wonderful music.

In an era where FAST and HARD is rewarded by adulation, Gabriel takes the tangent approach and creates what is DEEP and WIDE. With Security, Peter embarks on a strange trip and paints pictures with his voice, words and music that are downright mesmerizing and at times frightening.

Some have opined that this album should only be listened to at night, or with the lights off, and that it doesn't lend itself well for varied listening environments. I don't necessarily disagree with that notion. Like any good wine who's qualities are exploited with the right combination of foods, Security must also be enjoyed with full attention and in the proper listening environment. Headphones a MUST!

I have no reservations in saying that Security is THE BEST ALBUM that PG has ever produced. Although PG's "Passion" is a masterpiece in its own right Gabriel's lyrics and vocal gymnastics in Security raise it above all others in the PG catalog.

What "Dark Side of the Moon" is to space rock, Peter Gabriel's Security is to "earth rock".