PETER GABRIEL 1 [AKA: CAR]

Gabriel's debut album after he left Genesis with a major shift in musical style from the band he was leaving. The album was made during the time when the world music industry was dominated by punk where bands like Camel, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull et al were all marginalized by the three-chord rush and anti-establishment sneer of The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. Gabriel approached Robert Fripp (King Crimson) during his tentative steps out of musical retirement. Fripp played on the demos recording session for this album and was persuaded to join the subsequent tour band, which also included Tony Levin, albeit performing unseen.

Down The Dolce Vita has been my all-time favorite since I heard the song the first time when I was lent a cassette containing this track dated back in 1978. My second best include: Here Comes The Flood (which I also like the later acoustic version as well as Growing Up live version), Excuse Me (for me, it was my first introduction to humorous prog music), Solsbury Hill (has become a masterpiece in live version due to its energetic style), Humdrum (a nice mellow track).

An album that you must have it if you want to take steps in prog journey with Peter Gabriel's music direction. You would notice how his music has shifted significantly from this debut album to the groundbreaking UP album. Interesting. Recommended! (3.75 / 5). GW, Indonesia.