PETER GABRIEL 2 [AKA: SCRATCH]

Peter GABRIEL's second release, once again self-titled, is good album. It does come up short in the consistency department in comparison to its predecessor, however. There doesn't seem to be the flow and continuity that was in place on the first album. The same incredible lineup is on hand for Peter, including Robert Fripp and Tony Levin. Even with that kind of support GABRIEL's performance is fragmented.

"D.I.Y." is a clever melody with simple lyrics and its one of the highlights of the album. It really sounds like GABRIEL is in groove. "On The Air" has a harder rocking edge with a pounding piano that I particularly liked. "Exposure" is a prog-rock Picasso; any GABRIEL album would be incomplete without it.

The reason he is able to put this one behind him and move on to more success with his next release is because he is so talented and resilient. The remastered sound gives the entire record a robustness and clarity that will add more interest in acquiring this album than ever before. There are always the subtleties that you missed the first time around that the remastering brings out so beautifully. That fact alone is enough to give this listen, especially if you are a staunch GABRIEL or prog-rock enthusiasts.