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

I guess I'm not the only one with mixed feelings for this album, on one hand you got fantastic stuff like "San Jacinto", on the other hand there is some pop songs with the typical 80s sound we could live without. But unlike people usually think about Gabriel's fourth album, I would say this one is among the most progressive albums he´s done, with long songs and experimenting with african instruments and rhythms.

The opening song "The rhythm of the heat" is easily one of Gabriel's best songs, the title says a lot about the mood. Its dramatic, slowly escalating from exciting and mysterious to wild and majestic, just sitting down and listening to it gives you the feeling of chasing something through fire and flames. Its hot, not as sexy, but hot as warm. Next song "San Jacinto" is also one of the greatest songs he´s ever done. Its an epic at its very best, as the song starts out slowly with some strange, what is it? Keyboard-sounds? Sounds like electronic rain. Groove is building up slowly and then explodes into full drama before ending with more weird sounds, some breathing and something that almost sounds like spoken word. San Jacinto is more an experience than a song!

"I have the touch" is one of those 80s sounding pop songs I mentioned earlier, but actually this one isn't that bad. A great groove and some nice sound effects puts you more in a cool mood than in a mood of "ish, what a horrible 80s song". It makes you feel like you actually have the touch.

"The family and the fishing net" is a great example of how to mix african sounds and 80s pop with a successful result, its great and very weird. Lots of strange sounds and theatrical vocals! "Shock the monkey" is one of his earliest hits and it smells like 80s pop, yes I know, but its awesome! Watching the creepy video might have helped me getting used to it, but if you think about it, it really is a weird and creepy song with strange and screaming vocals. Its prog pop! "Lay your hands on me" is slow and atmospheric with a great chorus and some great drumming. Like most of the songs on this album, this song is mostly about experimental sounds and groovy rhythms.

"Wallflower" is the most beautiful and touching song of the album, with Gabriel using his most gentle and honest voice. Its very emotional and is probably the song that grows the most on you for each time you hear the album. "The perfect ending", I always say to myself before realising what comes after. Why in earths name would anybody think of something as terrible as ending a great album like this with a song like "Kiss of life". Its of course a bit funny, in the same way as David Bowies "Lets Dance" is a bit funny, but there is no way around the truth, this is an awful 80s song.

Except from having "Kiss of life" glued to your brain the rest of the day, Peter Gabriel 4 is always a great experience with lots of atmospheric and exciting songs. (Yeah, and that ugly album cover, what is that all about? Freaks me out!)