Security (1982)
I want to like Peter Gabriel more than I do. I’m basically constantly frustrated by his musical output, because some part of me keeps insisting that can he do much better. Perhaps it’s a case of refusing to be “commercial” at the expense of one’s integrity, but I get depressed a lot, and the last thing I worry about when I’m analyzing all the things that affect me is whether or not Peter Gabriel is vastly overrated or I’m just ignorant to his music’s power. In any case, with a couple of exceptions, his songs here are annoying and/or pretentious.
(“Shock The Monkey”)
Grade: D+
Shaking The Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats (1990)
Peter Gabriel has always fascinated me. Seemingly extremely intelligent and independent, his music is often a bit too uncommon for the common folk. At least, it used to be. The problem I have is that even when he goes simple and commercial, the quality rarely ever approaches his reputation among many. Although I do give him kudos for teaching me some French.
(“Solsbury Hill”, “Games Without Frontiers”)
Grade: B+
Us (1992)
It’s not good enough commercially; that is to say, catchy enough. And since Peter has by this point long since abandoned weird, that makes it pretty dull.
(“Digging In The Dirt”)
Grade: C
The Definitive Two CD Collection (Hit) (2003)
It’s not definitive, not by any means. You can’t really define this guy without listening to every d@mn song he ever wrote, but that’s too painful for me. (And I LIKE him). But it IS very good.
Grade: A-