Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel's second solo album which was another self-titled effort (now nicknamed Scratch) was released in June of 1978.
At the time Peter made his second solo album, he decided to do an about face from his first self titled solo album from a year earlier (apart from bass player Tony Levin and synthesizer expert Larry Fast). Instead of Bob Ezrin, Peter Gabriel now had famed King Crimson guitarist/mastermind Robert Fripp producing the album and playing guitar on a few tracks plus guitarist Sidney McGuiness, drummer Jerry Marotta and saxophonist Timothy Capallo and pianist Roy Bittan from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band (Roy plays on much of the album) helping him on the album.
The opening "On the Air" is a superb rocker about Mozo the pirate radio DJ broadcasting from his amateur radio station in a cabin by the river and this song is just incredible. "DIY" is next and was Gabriel's homage to the punk ethos and punk rock scene that prevailed in the late '70s and another great song. Next is the ballad "Mother of Violence" which is a great song. This track is just phenomenal even if it's just acoustic guitar, piano and vocals. Next is the pop-reggae track "A Wonderful Day in a One-Way World" and a great song. The first half closed with the phenomenal "White Shadow". Gabriel's synthesizer drones on this track is phenomenal and features Fripp on lead guitar and classical guitar and his solos on this track are phenomenal. The last note at the end of the song went on and on if you had the original vinyl LP. When I first heard the track on LP, I thought was a defect but it wasn't (you had to manually lift the stylus from LP to stop). On the CD they fixed it so it would fade after awhile.
The second half begins with the exquisitely beautiful "Indigo" which is one of Gabriel's most overlooked tracks ever. Next is the jazzy "Animal Magic" which is another great track and one that will have yup tapping along. Next is the rocker "Exposure" which was another great track and one I can play over again. "Flotsam and Jetsam" is next and is another heartfelt track on the album's more sensitive second half but a great song. Next we rock out with the rocker "Perspective" which is another great song with some unique sax solos from Tim Capello. The album closes with the fitting "Home Sweet Home" which is a jazzy sounding ballad with Peter exploring all avenues of his voice and Tim's sax work again is just incredible.
Peter Gabriel's second solo album also has a great album design from Hipgnosis and one of the better album covers you'll see. The album didn't do as well as debut (missed the US Top 50 in 1978) but has held up well as opposed to lots of music made in 1978.
Recommended!
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Peter Gabriel
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No Import Fees Deposit & $14.75 Shipping to Finland Details
Shipping & Fee Details
| Price | $21.41 | |
| AmazonGlobal Shipping | $14.75 | |
| Estimated Import Fees Deposit | $0.00 | |
| | ||
| Total | $36.16 | |
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Track Listings
| 1 | On The Air |
| 2 | D.I.Y. |
| 3 | Mother Of Violence |
| 4 | A Wonderful Day In A One-Way World |
| 5 | White Shadow |
| 6 | Indigo |
| 7 | Animal Magic |
| 8 | Exposure |
| 9 | Flotsam And Jetsam |
| 10 | Perspective |
| 11 | Home Sweet Home |
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 5.5 x 4.94 x 0.45 inches; 2.88 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Atlantic
- Date First Available : November 15, 2006
- Label : Atlantic
- ASIN : B000002I9H
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #350,084 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #5,920 in Progressive Rock
- #9,040 in Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) (CDs & Vinyl)
- #215,349 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
438 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2013
Having last listened to Peter Gabriel's solo albums about a quarter century ago and remembering them with fondness, I decided to revisit them. Gabriel's II was recorded in 1977 and 1978 with Robert Fripp producing and I'm afraid that, though it is more consistent than his 1st album, it doesn't hit the high spots like "Moribund the Burgomeister", either. The more improvisatorial approach championed by Fripp also doesn't appear to have satisfied Gabriel either, as he went back to a more produced, studio-intensive effort with his next solo album, III. Gabriel's high register is strained at times and generally I don't think he sounds terrific, although he is capable in his lower ranges. In terms of performance, what really stands out for me is the inventive work done by star-bassist Tony Levin, who plays on most tracks and who's creativity often seems to dominate the tracks.
But the bottom line issue is that I can't point to a single song that I would characterize as "great" or "terrific." Many are well-crafted and obviously sincere, but inspired moments are few and far between. The opening song "In the air" illustrates this well: beginning with a verse section that is exciting and vivid, it is interrupted by a chorus that stops the music's flow in its tracks with a melody that is rhythmically clunky. The melody in this chorus, by the way, is very similar to the chorus of "White Shadow" (three notes falling in a downward scale), again a bit of an underwhelming moment. Like in the 1st album, II also declines as it continues, with the first half definitely being the most interesting.
I found it interesting that in researching for this review I stumbled across an evaluation of this album on allmusic.com by Stephen Erlewine that agrees with my view: "Ironically, it holds together a bit better than its predecessor, yet it never reaches the brilliant heights of that record."
So 4 stars for a work with craftsmanship but only intermittent inspiration. I'm looking forward to III and the melting face, which I remember as consistently excellent.
But the bottom line issue is that I can't point to a single song that I would characterize as "great" or "terrific." Many are well-crafted and obviously sincere, but inspired moments are few and far between. The opening song "In the air" illustrates this well: beginning with a verse section that is exciting and vivid, it is interrupted by a chorus that stops the music's flow in its tracks with a melody that is rhythmically clunky. The melody in this chorus, by the way, is very similar to the chorus of "White Shadow" (three notes falling in a downward scale), again a bit of an underwhelming moment. Like in the 1st album, II also declines as it continues, with the first half definitely being the most interesting.
I found it interesting that in researching for this review I stumbled across an evaluation of this album on allmusic.com by Stephen Erlewine that agrees with my view: "Ironically, it holds together a bit better than its predecessor, yet it never reaches the brilliant heights of that record."
So 4 stars for a work with craftsmanship but only intermittent inspiration. I'm looking forward to III and the melting face, which I remember as consistently excellent.
Top reviews from other countries
VHA
5.0 out of 5 stars
No puedo dejar de escucharlo
Reviewed in Mexico on April 4, 2019
Sin duda, Peter Gabriel fue un innovador en su tiempo. Este disco no he parado de dejar de escucharlo.
zax93
5.0 out of 5 stars
Raw & Emotive
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2016
Growing up, I was a big fan of PG 3 & 4 but going back to this and PG 1 I found them to be not as enjoyable at the time - perhaps a bit too normal in their construction, not as many synths or awesome drumming. Over time this and PG 1 have grown on me a lot and I now hold both of them in high regard. The back cover really sums up the feel of this album with the lone faceless figure stumbling about in the winter city, the LP has a sparse isolationist kind of quality that makes it an album I turn to when i'm feeling emotional or reflective. It has a raw quality that puts it apart from the other PG albums.
4 people found this helpful
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Robert Rocks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid 2nd release from 1978
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2016
Gabriel's 2nd solo project is another solid collection of decent material with an interesting array of fast, rocky numbers including the catchy album opener 'On The Air', 'Animal Magic' and 'Perspective' as well as some superb, slower songs including the excellent 'White Shadow', 'Mother of Violence', 'Indigo' and the bitter-sweet closing track 'Home Sweet Home'. Although it was only 2 years before the classic Gabriel 3 album hit the airwaves in 1980, this is an impressive stepping stone in Gabriel's career and well worth investing in.
One person found this helpful
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Barnesy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not up to standard. Probably his worst record.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2018
This album is another example of second album syndrome for me. Lyrically interesting but sonically very different from his first solo release with Peter's ascerbic vocals (ala New York City) and chanting is just too much for me and sets my teeth on edge. 3 was a masterpiece and 4 is very good too but this is definitely back on the ditch it list.
One person found this helpful
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Allmusichasvalue
3.0 out of 5 stars
Least favourite
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2021
Probably my least favourite Gabriel record glad he changed up for "melt"...his first great record.
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