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Peter Gabriel - No Self Control CD (album) cover

NO SELF CONTROL

Peter Gabriel

Crossover Prog


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Matti
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This single contains two tracks from PG's third eponymous album (nicknamed "Melt") which forms a horrifying kaleidoscope of the dark sides of human nature. You know: 'Intruder' dealing with perversions, 'Games Without Frontiers' about wars, 'Family Snapshot' about an assassin with painful childhood memories, etc. 'No Self Control' is another effective link in that chain, and the title sums it up. "I'm so nervous all the time... I don't wanna think what I've done..." I first heard it in my teenage years as the live version on Plays Live (which is slightly slower and softer in arrangement; generally I prefer those live versions, especially of the stark, percussion-heavy fourth album's songs). The studio version has captured the sense of restlessness more effectively, and the chorus features Kate Bush's background vocals. This song has, unfortunately, become more and more representative of our confusing times.

B-side's 'Lead a Normal Life' (the second last track on the album, followed only by 'Biko') has another kind of view about mental problems. "It's nice here with a view of the trees, eating with a spoon, they don't give you knives?" The composition is minimalistic and introvert (as if representing a troubled mind pumped full of calming medicines) featuring a bright keyboard phrase repeated over and over, and delicate percussion, both pausing for that short vocal section with piano. Together these two tracks capture the core essence of the whole album in short form. Very bravely uncommercial stuff for a single, isn't it?

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Posted Saturday, December 15, 2012 | Review Permalink

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