PETER GABRIEL 1 [AKA: CAR]

Peter Gabriel's exit from Genesis in 1975 was a cataclysmic event. Not only did it put the existence of one of England's major band at risk, it also created high expectations for Gabriel himself. Almost 35 years later, both have more than survived the test of time.

Under Phil Collins' leadership, Genesis became one of the world's top bands in the 1980's and 90's, turning from a progressive rock band into a sophisticated pop hit-machine, while Gabriel became a groundbreaking musician and a moral leader to the Rock Stars, creator of World Music and Digital Sampling pioneer.

Upon leaving the band, Peter Gabriel began his solo journey, working on his first solo album with some of the world's finest musicians of the time, led by American record producer Bob Ezrin.

In retrospect, the album serves as a bridge between the complex prog sensibility of his Genesis days and the leaner, intellectual nature of his later work, culminating with his masterpiece "So".

The opening song "Moribund the Burgereister" demonstrates this path. The song's verses are built over a repetitive electronic drum pattern, reminiscing of later songs such as "Games without Frontiers" and "In your eyes", while the complex song structure borrows from earlier Genesis songs.

"Solsbury Hill", the album's hit single, demonstrates Gabriel's pure songwriting talent, telling the story of his departure from Genesis over a beautifully crafted melody.

Even as a solo artist, Peter Gabriel continues to be a collaborative musician, always influenced by the musicians he works with. On this album he chose to be backed by both the rock session royalty of the time and the more advnturous musicians emerging towards the end of the 1970's.

Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner, guitar mercenaries extraordinaires who earlier played with David Bowie, Alice Cooper and Lou Reed give the album a contemporary American Stadium Rock edge on songs such as "Modern Love" and "Slowburn", while Larry Fast and Tony Levin (who went on to play on most of Gabriel's subsequent albums) represent the more experimental side of Gabriel's music, especially on "Here comes the Flood" which also features his friend Robert Fripp. Mike Gibbs' orchestral arrangements are exquisite and tasteful.

The album's monolithic and bombastic production is it's Achilles point, but what helps this album stand the test of time is the quality of the songs and the thrill of watching the first steps of one of Rock's most significant protagonists.

Izash