Peter Gabriel is one of my favorite artists. I first followed him when he was with Genesis. During his solo recording career, Gabriel recorded one of my favorite songs, “”Solsbury Hill.” I enjoyed Gabriel’s Top 40 singles “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes.” When I first heard that Gabriel was recording an album of cover songs, I was excited. But then I heard rumors that there would be no guitars, no drums, only an orchestra backing up Gabriel’s vocals. That gave me pause. Scratch My Back was released last week and I’ve listened to it a couple of times. Both experiences were painful. I have never listened to more mournful music. Every song sounds like a dirge. This is sad, sad music totally lacking in joy. The only album I can think of that is about equally depressing is Joni Mitchell’s Blue. GRADE: D (for dismal and dull)
Track list:
Disc 1
1 Heroes 4:09
2 The Boy In the Bubble 4:27
3 Mirrorball 4:48
4 Flume 3:00
5 Listening Wind 4:22
6 The Power of the Heart 5:51
7 My Body is a Cage 6:12
8 The Book of Love / Hungarian Orchestrat 3:52
9 I Think It’s Going To Rain Today 2:34
10 Après Moi 5:13
11 Philadelphia 3:46
12 Street Spirit (Fade Out) 5:06
Disc 2
1 The Book of Love / Hungarian Orchestrat Bonus Track 3:40
2 My Body is a Cage Bonus Track / Oxford London Temple Version / Version 6:03
3 Waterloo Sunset Bonus Track / Oxford London Temple Version / Version 3:49
4 Heroes Bonus Track / Wildebeest Mix 4:06
Wow–what a downer! (I was a big fan of BLUE, but–in all fairness–I was in my teens then.) The worst part is he doesn’t even do a cover of that great Tony Joe White song, “Scratch My Back.”
I’ll just stick with PG’s Greatest Hits.
Yes, I was bummed out listening to SCRATCH MY BACK, Deb. I had high hopes, but they were quickly dashed.
Too bad. “Shock the monkey” is one of my all-time favorite videos.
At the time, the video for “Sledgehammer” defined state-of-the-art, Drongo. But the doleful music on SCRATCH MY BACK grates.
Two duds in a row. The affable Mr. Kelley is being tested.
I have a winner for tomorrow, Patti. I don’t enjoy writing reviews of books, movies, music CDs, etc. But I want to warn others so they don’t waste their time (and money) like I did.
what on earth are those things on the cover suppose to be?
I think they’re rose petals, James. But I could be wrong
Patti, years ago George was most known for the sucinctness of his favorite review:
“It sucks!”
He’s mellowed quite a bit since then.
Plenty of reviewers have stolen my “It sucks” tagline, Jeff. I don’t know if I’ve mellowed, but I do try to come up with some original lines.
Lawrence Person agrees with your assessment, and suggests alternate listening:
http://www.lawrenceperson.com/?p=918
Lawrence Person is right about SCRATCH MY BACK, Todd. It’s toxic.