Drama vs Peter Gabriel III (Melt)
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=127417
Printed Date: March 19 2025 at 11:21
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Topic: Drama vs Peter Gabriel III (Melt)
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Subject: Drama vs Peter Gabriel III (Melt)
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 10:34
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There are actually some surprising parallels between these two albums, other than being released in 1980: 1) Both recorded in London's Townhouse Studios within a few months of each other. 2) Both included Hugh Padgham as an engineer. 3) The Peter Gabriel album is well-known for having no cymbals in the percussion department. On Drama, Alan White performs "Run Through the Light" without using cymbals. Which of the two albums do you prefer?
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Replies:
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 10:37
| Yes - Drama |
Posted By: Rick1
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 10:38
| First vote for the real progressive album of the two!! |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 10:44
Yes, it has to be Drama, bearing in mind I can't name any of the songs on Peter Gabriel 3. 
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 10:44
Real progressive album? Wait, if I voted for Drama, is it fake progressive?
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Rick1 wrote:Posted By: Sacro_Porgo
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 11:21
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Gabriel. That album is a masterpiece. Drama is just fine. I prefer their pop stuff to it. ------------- Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :) |
Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 11:37
| Drama easily for me. |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 11:56
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Peter Gabriel by a quarter of a noselength. ------------- 
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Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 12:33
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Mr. Gabriel. But it was a very, very tough choice. ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 12:41
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PG III is a top of my list Gab's album, but for this pair up I have to pick Drama by a nano meter. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Boojieboy
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 13:01
| Though I like both, and appreciate PG's solo and Genesis work, Drama is stronger and more proggy to me, and has stood up to the test of time as well. Sorry Pete, old chum. |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 13:33
| Peter Gabriel III. I listen to it more often than Drama. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 13:34
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Yes ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 13:37
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Peter Gabriel: III (Melt) ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 15:02
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Drama, but not by much. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 15:18
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Melt (III) by a lot......Drama has a boring feel to it. -------------   
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 15:55
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Gabriel's album is really great and I listen to it regularly with much pleasure, but Drama is just something special, very special, in my book. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 17:34
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PGIII and it's not even vaguely close. It's a great album. Drama simply is not. It's not even a good Yes album. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 17:44
Drama is one of my favorite Yes albums.  |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 19:37
| I would like to vote for Drama, but I don't know Gabriel's album, so I really can't. However, for what little I checked out some time ago, Melt was the album that interested me the most from Grabriel solo, besides the live album from around the same time. |
Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: October 01 2021 at 20:50
| hard choice --as PG is more of an artistic creative record and Drama is easy to listen to. |
Posted By: Sacro_Porgo
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 00:38
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I do think this is another one of those polls that sets up the divide between "prog" and "progressive" quite nicely. Melt is a pretty obviously progressive album, even if only for introducing the world to the drum sound of the 80s (which Phil subsequently took directly over to Face Value and made it world famous). That said, it doesn't retain much of the "prog" style that much of the music on this site is based in. No 20 minute suites, or even 10 minute epics. The closest you get is a multi-section story song "Family Snapshot" and a seven minute slow build "Biko." This album is all about new sounds, new production techniques, unusual song ideas, atmospherics and moods. The epitome of "art rock" if you ask me. Drama on the other hand is pretty obviously a "prog" album. While it does contain elements that are pushing music forward (thank you The Buggles), it centers mainly on a harder edged prog style for most of the album that isn't terribly far off from the music Yes had already been making throughout the 70s, if a little meaner. You do get a 10 minute epic in "Machine Messiah," and another lengthy proggy gem in "Into The Lens." ------------- Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :) |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 01:11
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"Melt," if only for the track "Biko." I don't know "Drama" very well, and the Buggles era of Yes never interested me much. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 02:39
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I have chunks of DRAMA songs in my head, daily, without consciously trying lol. DAYLIGHT; I COULD NEVER LET YOU GO; AND YOU; ALWAYS LET THE FEELING SHOW!!! Drama. ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: maryes
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 05:05
I agree |
Posted By: Artik
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 07:27
| Sure it's Drama! |
Posted By: Earl of Mar
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 08:42
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I dont like Gabriel's workmafter the second album very much. Melt except for a few tracks is not a favourite and I was disappointed after what I thought were two fine, interesting, varied albums. So its Drama for me. |
Posted By: HeyItsJustJP
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 08:50
| Enjoy both, but Melt is just on a totally different level for me. |
Posted By: TerLJack
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 09:29
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Drama is great, but Melt is even greater. I also think "Family Snapshot," "Biko," and "Intruder" stand taller lyrically than anything on Drama.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 09:48
Not even Biko? It's very close call for me but I'd probably go for PG.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 10:01
I would have said, "Not even Games Without Frontiers?" That is one of my very favourite songs that has been an "in regular rotation" staple of classic rock radio here. I'm glad Peter Gabriel moved on from Genesis into his "solo" career. I hugely prefer Melt. I don't like the classic opening track on Drama, "Machine Messiah", and it doesn't improve for me as the album moves on. It's due to albums such as this that I don't think of myself as a Prog fan. I tried to listen through it again, but it is dreadful to these ears.
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 10:37
Paul, you're missing out on one of the great albums of the 1980s. From the song "The Intruder" with the sinister Peter Lorre whistle (from the movie "M", where Lorre is a whistling serial killer) all the way to the anti-apartheid anthem "Biko'' it is a splendid progressive concept album featuring folks like Robert Fripp, Kate Bush, Phil Collins and Tony Levin. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 11:21
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^ It is; I completely agree with this. But this is also the downside of this kind of binary polls: we have to chose between two great albums (in my perspective) and then argument why we prefer one over the other. Personally I have much pleasure listening to both. On the other hand, we also discover that some just don't like real prog...
And this is an admin... Maybe, we all should undergo a prog affinity test to see if we are worthwhile members of PA....  PS: I might not pass the test myself, BTW... ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 12:31
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Melt is one of the finest albums ever made, a work which even after 40 years is still played regularly and holds a very special place in my collection. It was just about the perfect fusion of post punk rock, progressive rock, electronic rock, experimentation, and the most nailed on political statements ever put to music. About as perfect an album as it is possible to be released. Full of emotion and absolutely biting in its execution. Drama, by contrast, is absolutely none of the above. About as dull as it gets. Sorry……. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: October 02 2021 at 13:31
| I like both. And went with Melt as I find it a stronger album emotionally. |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 01:44
| Yes: Drama by far |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 02:18
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If by better album we mean a consistent, dependable cornucopia of quality rock, Drama wins. But if the content itself counts, the texture, innovations and sound design, Melt could be superior. ------------- "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -- John F. Kennedy |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 02:35
really good summation PG is a tough listen and takes no prisoners. Games Without Frontiers was a surprise top 5 hit in the UK garnering a lot of airplay so it may not be quite as far away from pop as people like to believe. Shock the Monkey and No Self Control were also played quite a bit on radio at the time while Biko is the best live singalong ever!. Its a very clever album but not as inaccessible as many would like to believe. My vote is Drama. I only put 3 other Yes albums clearly above it and was a return to form in my view. Some really sharp playing and Squire was never better than on Does It Really Happen? A vote for the prog album!
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 02:54
Doh, yes of course.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 02:54
Shock the Monkey is on PG4.
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Posted By: VianaProghead
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 03:51
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Yes: Drama. ------------- "PROG IS MY FERRARI". Jem Godfrey (Frost*) |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 09:00
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An interesting poll considering the current outcome. I didn't think there was enough love in the room for the overbearing Yes entry, up against an obvious crowd favorite. An odd poll though, so I won't vote. ------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: Matti
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 12:00
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I gave my vote to PG, making the score even. That reflects my thoughts: I love them both, but for very different reasons. PG3 wins as a psychologically deep conceptual album whereas musically Drama gives me more. (Ie. I probably would have voted Yes if they had been one vote behind. 😀) |
Posted By: tdfloyd
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 15:45
| This one isn't close even though I like them both. PG III for the win! |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: October 04 2021 at 16:12
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Yes, to even the score. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Braka1
Date Posted: October 06 2021 at 10:31
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Drama was stronger than I expected it to be, but I wouldn't put in the same league as Melt. ------------- Believe me Pope Paul, my toes are clean |
Posted By: ProfPanglos
Date Posted: October 06 2021 at 13:45
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I went with Drama, I just think it is more fun to listen to than the PG, even though that album is indeed a great one. ------------- DIGNITAS - FIRMITAS - GRAVITAS - COMITAS - LIBERTAS |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 06 2021 at 14:19
| Both are great albums but I think Drama has aged better. |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: October 06 2021 at 14:45
Listen to laz.....his words ooze the truth to the nth degree. -------------
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Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: October 10 2021 at 17:51
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Clearly PG 3, even if Biko is maybe a slightly bloated conclusion; PG's album endings were much weaker than the albums as a whole until So. I like Drama but I really think No Self Control is better than anything on that album by a very large margin. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: October 10 2021 at 17:57
Sorry, Catch...but nuh-uh! Drama has some of Yes' best material. "About as dull as it gets" is one helluva putdown. Sounds personal to me. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 11 2021 at 03:30
oops, thanks!
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Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: October 11 2021 at 10:36
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: October 12 2021 at 18:23
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I am surprised that Drama got so many votes. ------------- Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 13 2021 at 13:44
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I know Peter Gabriel was revolutionary for its time but it has not aged well. Drama sits better with me today than "melt". ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: October 13 2021 at 14:40
Not I! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: October 14 2021 at 11:50
| After 2 weeks and 3 pages of responses, the two competitors are almost in a dead heat! I would like to say thank you to everybody who participated - I had no idea the results would turn out like this! I love both albums, but my vote went to Drama for its overall consistency. |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: October 16 2021 at 12:12
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: October 16 2021 at 12:26
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^ It's from the Hall of the Mountain King part from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt suite. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: July 13 2022 at 11:36
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Peter Gabriel: III ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 13 2022 at 17:22
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PG 3 Drama has some good moments but definitely not the Yes I like |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 02:44
gentle bump! 
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Posted By: Octopus II
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 02:47
| Peter Gabriel III |
Posted By: Rick1
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 08:53
| Gabriel pushed the limits here whereas Yes had ceased to be progressive by 'Drama'. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 10:30
| ^ disagree with the 'ceased to be progressive', Drama was definitely not a copy and paste exercise in my view . Yes were still pushing even with 90125 but after that it was a bit off the end of a cliff re the progressive thing admittedly. |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 10:33
Fully agree with the above!!!
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Posted By: Necrotica
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 14:08
Agreed. Honestly, I've always seen Drama/90125 as Yes' version of Genesis' ATTWT/Duke duology. All are transitional records - Drama/ATTWT being pop-oriented prog rock, and 90125/Duke being prog-oriented pop rock. And then Big Generator is basically their Invisible Touch, minus the massive sales figures
------------- Take me down, to the underground Won't you take me down, to the underground Why oh why, there is no light And if I can't sleep, can you hold my life https://www.youtube.com/@CocoonMasterBrendan-wh3sd |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 15:48
I can listen to Big Generator without skipping any songs, but with Invisible Touch it's not the case, at all.
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Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 16:03
A better comparison would be Big Generator and We Can't Dance, neither of which I can listen to all the way through. Invisible Touch I can sit through.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 16:10
I enjoy WCD more than IT, but Big Generator is more enjoyable than both Genesis albums.
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Posted By: Awesoreno
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 22:31
While I hear some pop in Drama, I would hesitate to call it pop rock overall. Certainly not tracks like Into the Lens, White Car, MACHINE MESSIAH, Tempus Fugit...
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Posted By: Necrotica
Date Posted: August 17 2023 at 23:09
And that's why I called it pop-inspired prog, rather than the other way around. Hell, Machine Messiah might have just been one of the first prog metal songs ever ------------- Take me down, to the underground Won't you take me down, to the underground Why oh why, there is no light And if I can't sleep, can you hold my life https://www.youtube.com/@CocoonMasterBrendan-wh3sd |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: August 18 2023 at 00:46
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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: August 18 2023 at 01:14
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Drama ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |