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

From 1982, SECURITY, MASK, PG 4, whatever you want to call it, is at the top of the charts in my book for all-time Peter Gabriel albums. At almost 30 years old, this is still as fresh as the first time I listened to it. "San Jacinto", "I Have the Touch", "Family and the Fishing Net", "Wallflower", and "Kiss of Life" are all classic PG tunes. The mixing of rock and world-beat is perfect. Only "The Rhythm of the Heat" (a bit dull) and "Shock the Monkey" (overplayed) fall short of 5 stars. The usual cast of backing musicians keep up the background, and Peter's singing sounds great. Close to perfect, but not quite. 4 stars