PETER GABRIEL 1 [AKA: CAR]

Gabriel's solo career took an awkward start. I don't know what people expected, but from whatever point of view you look, be it past or present, this debut is an odd album. It was a huge step away from the prog rock of Genesis and compared to his later famous albums it's still a pretty standard art rock affair. In a way that means it's a unique item in Gabriel's career.

The compositions and vocals are adequate but never amazing. Moribund for instance is an adventurous tune, I especially like the creepy I will find out section, but the arrangement of the chorus is a bit overblown, like something Lou Reed would do in an orchestral mood. Apart from Salisbury Hill and Here Comes The Flood the album mainly consists of classic rock styled anthems and ballads that are too unremarkable to grasp my attention.

I've never found much charm in the art-rocking direction Gabriel started his solo career with. It was a field that was already occupied by superior performers such as John Cale and David Bowie. At least, this first one is a sincere and personal start of an exciting solo career and will probably sit better with people who like the 70's classic rock sound more then I do. 2.5 stars