PETER GABRIEL 3 [AKA: MELT]

Let's start with the opener. Oh, dear, it took me a long time to develop my own interpretation of what Peter Gabriel meant in the lyrics. I completely forgot about songmeanings.com and took some time to ponder about it over opening and sealing barrels with oil filters in them. Then, finally, it came to me: maybe the song is about a psychological intruder who knows everything about what's going on in your head, who breaks in, enters, and can turn your whole world upside down after a very successful "slipping the clippers through the telephone wires". That really reminds me of my stepdad. The music is very seminal, extraordinary, and impressive.

'No Self-Control' is my personal favorite. The production values are even weirder than on the previous track, yet all of the sounds on this track are carefully arranged, too. This is perhaps the only time I get to enjoy the way Kate Bush provides her haunting vocal delivery. Robert Fripp's guitar work is the pinnacle for me: don't miss the crazy chord progression in the "chorus".

I am very allergic to synth-pop, but 'I Don't Remember' does a lot of justice to me. Robert Fripp once again really shines on his guitar. OK, this may be just words to you, but let me repeat this: really shines on his guitar. Breathe in some life. The experimental coda is astonishing. 'And Through the Wire' features one of my favorite riffs in all of the world of rock guitar, thanks to Paul Weller. The song feels melancholic in the middle eight, but for the most part the song features a powerhouse performance from the guest musicians. "Watch the wire!"

I didn't like 'Games Without Frontiers' on the first two-three listens. Even when I was playing World of Warcraft (can't remember which region, though), I still didn't like its 80's sound. But one day I decided to force myself to like that cheap groove, and it kind of worked. Then, when I was flying over Schnottz's Landing in Northrend, I liked it even more. The whistling and the way Peter sings the lyrics make the song even catchier. 'Not One of Us' confuses me lyrically a bit, but at least that song is catchy and it has an ending that is ominous to a surprising degree. Ditto for 'Lead a Normal Life'. Dig in.

The album closes with 'Biko', which is pretty impressive for the first protest song Peter Gabriel has ever written. I don't find this song particularly striking musically or lyrically, but it sounds good to me. It is through that song that I have learned about Steve Biko, one of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, who was tortured "in the police room 619". I can't remember why the police did that, but I bet that they did it out of ignorance, and anything that is based on ignorance can barely even be called a reason. Oh, well.

By the way, I don't just like discussing only my favorite stuff; I just don't want to discourage you from listening to what I personally consider as something poorly made. That said, why don't you hear 'Family Snapshot' and make your own conclusions about this track. There is just nothing appealing to me musically and lyrically. Also, expect some deranged codas for almost every other track on the album (wink).

Ratings/comments (if you have to ask):

'Intruder' - ****

'No Self-Control' - ****

'Start' - ***

'I Don't Remember' - ****

'Family Snapshot' - * (why don't you make your own conclusion on this one)

'And Through the Wire' - ****

'Games Without Frontiers' - ****

'Not One of Us' - ****

'Lead a Normal Life' - ***

'Biko' - ****

Stamp: "I like it."

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