PETER GABRIEL 2 [AKA: SCRATCH]

This is as interesting as his first album, although a little different. It has a well-balanced alternation between sad and funny songs.

"On the air" is one of the best openeing ever made, it rocks, and Peter Gabriel sings in a very particular "hard" voice. The lyrics are well-written. The ending adds a welcome prog touch to make it one of PG's best songs.

"DIY" is good too, short and effective, funny. The rhythm is difficult to grasp, but it adds interest to the song. Good melody, piano very present. In a word : good !

"Mother of violence" : despite of its title, this song is soft. It is a beautiful melody with guitar arpeggios accompanied with piano. The lyrics are interesting : "Fear, she's the mother of violence..." A very pleasant song.

Another funny song is "A wonderful day in a one-way world". There is a synth riff in the chorus that brings some originality. The song is more difficult to appreciate but I like the fun of it, especially in the lyrics and in the chorus.

Back to "serious" sad songs with "White shadow" : a majestic and light introduction with synths, a beautifully sung melody that arrives softly after 2 minutes. The most proggy song of this album.

"Indigo" is quite depressing but so original (in the same genre as "Humdrum" concerning the build-up of the song : several parts but only 3 minutes long).

"Animal magic" comes then at a perfect time to make you feel better after these two "party-breaking" songs : it's mainly a good old rock'n'roll piano riff with an interesting development in the chorus. Another good funny song !

"Exposure" is more atmospheric, quite strange, a little difficult.

"Flotsam and jetsam" brings back some nostalgy and sadness...but so beautiful once again ! I would even say too short !

"Perspective" is a catchy and dynamic song with saxes, its main particularity. Most prog fans would ignore it, but it is different from anything else Peter Gabriel has done.

"Home sweet home" is beautiful but not so interesting as the other songs. It closes the album in a disappointing note. It's the kind of song that any other mainstream artist could have written.