PETER GABRIEL 3 [AKA: MELT]

Let me start out by qualifying that I am not the greatest Genesis fan. I think most of the Gabriel-era albums are quite bothersome and the Collins-era is just bubble gum. I have said that - get your stones ready - I prefer Collins vocals, but I always try to "progress" and give people second, third and multiple chance listenings.

Another qualifier - I am not a major 80s fan. I like some 80s music: The Police, early Van Halen, some AC/DC, some new wave, and even some prog bands that "sold out", but that's about it.

So, with all that information I was SHOCKED to find out that Peter Gabriel defied the odds of a negative review with "Melt". I really enjoyed this album.

The first track "Intruder" is just too good even believe for Gabriel after hearing some of the early Genesis material. The experimental sounds and quality of Gabriel's lyrics and vocals are some of the best experimental work I've heard in a while and especially for the cheesy 80s. Granted, this came out in 1980, but the late 70s had some pretty cheesy music, in my opinion.

Gabriel found his vocal greatness with "No Self-Control" and continued throughout his career. This is the Gabriel I enjoy hearing - the bubble sound is gone, or at least minimized and he has a powerful, enjoyable voice here.

Another strange item is that "I Don't Remember" is very 80s, but I can't help but like it. It is catchy, yet weird. It is very "Peter Gabriel" (obviously), and gives me a strange early 80s gritty street vibe.

"Family Snapshot" is a bit mundane for my taste, but not boring. Very "Genesis-Gabriel", but with more of a realistic story - give or take whether that is an advantage or not, but the serious and emotion pushes it to a higher level, to me.

"And Through the Wire" is boring 80s crap, "Games Without Feathers" is a bit interesting, but I am not a big fan of electric drum machines or at least that cheesy sound they seem to have. The song is ok. I don't hate it.

"Not One of Us" sounds like early Police music mixed with some electronic experimentation. I actually enjoy it, even when it goes into that bouncy 80s Jan Hammer sound. Meh, well kind of. It's not terrible. I could listen to it over again.

"Lead A Normal Life" sounds like a commercial at the start, but turns out to be a bit of an existential poem with beautiful, sparse music. It is probably my favorite besides "Intruder" from this album. It is a track that is quite ahead of it's time and could be something Radiohead came up with. I am sure Gabriel was an influence for Radiohead.

"Biko" is the finisher and I had heard quite good reviews of the song. It sort of reminds me of world music mixed with psychedelic and "In The Air Tonight" percussion (or similar). I am not too fond of those hand-holding, world "anthem" type songs except for John Lennon's material, and I find this song too ambitious in a "We Are The World" type of way. *Yawn*

Overall, I enjoyed this album and especially when I thought it would be a major waste of my time. I was pleasantly surprised. There are moments of boredom and cheese, but overall a solid effort. I will give it at a 3.