PETER GABRIEL 4 [AKA: MASK, AKA: SECURITY]

Great Peter Gabriel album. I think, your point of view on this album will depend on your starting position: if you are old (Gabriel period) Genesis lover, you wouldn't find too much of mellow symphonic rock there. But if you bored to death with all that Genesis -clones all around , just listen a new sound of great Gabriel.

For me it is easy - I never could listen Genesis too much ( monotonious, boring mellow sound, long neverending repetetivous compositions, sleepy rhythm and voice,etc,etc). So, Gabriel solo works are much more interesting. And this one is one of the great.

Great musicians there not only play competent support to Gabriel's voice, but build new ,dark, almost cold athmosphere. Tony Levin /Jerry Marotta - two great musicians from period,when Genesis became just nice legend.Rhythm section are so perfect there! Peter Hammil and John Lord are not so feelable on music. Great using of african drumming, very unusual rhythms, suberb combination of african drums and pipes with some modern synth sounds.Rich bass/stick pulsation. Space in between didn't filled with usual keyboards or even guitar! Almost revolutionary sound ( for time of recording).

Yes, music is dry,soft and rounded, so for unprepared listener it often works as pop-oriented sound. But it isn't. Just try to listen few more times!

Yes, there are MTV top hit "Shock The Monkey" on this album. Yes, this song is more pop oriented. But believe me, if all MTV air will be filled with song like that, I can even watch that channel time to time!

Absolutely great album for listeners having their ears wide opened!