I so wanted to give this a good review. Why? Two reasons – I like Gabriel and believe he is a very talented guy who has provided me and many other music lovers hours of musical pleasure, not only through his own music but through the many artists and bands he has helped promote through WOMAD and other media. Second reason is that this album has been slagged off by many both in the press and on Amazon and I would have liked to have posted a positive review.
Unfortunately, the people who have written these positive reviews must have shit in their ears.
The idea to take a song and cover it in a different way is nothing new and has been done to great effect before – think Nazareth’s Love Hurts as a fine example. Gabriel has attempted this but his efforts lack variety, lack diversity and all we are left with is a dirge of sound that is cluttered with noise. Each track tends to start with a slow intro (normally piano) then builds and builds into this emotional crescendo with Gabriel shouting his emotion as the orchestra tries to keep pace with his angst that is simply out of control.
First time I listened to it I pressed stop on my CD player after around track 6. Second time I played it I fell asleep. I have since tried, really tried to play it and find out what Gabriel was trying to achieve here – sadly I cannot. Heroes is not a bad track but the only highlight for me is ‘Boy in the Bubble’ which is done some justice and the re-working to a piano only song draws attention to the song and emphasizes the great lyrics.
Sadly the Dog does not recommend.
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I think I’m on the point of disagreeing with you big time Mr D! I will have to listen to the album again (You can listen to it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/feb/04/peter-gabriel-scratch-back )
It sounds stark, bare, minimalist – I think it’s a grower.
Ah those 3 words that critics use when there’s bog all else in the music to talk about – stark, bare, minimalist – listen to Mark Hollis, Tindersticks or Keith Jarrett for music that I feel is stark, bare, minimalist and more importantly enjoyable.
My dear Spacey I have listened to this album five times (surely that’s enough) hoping that each time I would find a spark, something I missed – but this is just plain boring. As I stated in my review there is no diversity, no variety each song comes from the same template has the same feelings. I am actually very sorry that I don’t like it.
I think my main problem with this album is that when I heard that Gabriel had a new set of songs coming out, my expectations were raised by the thought of one of the best singer/songwriters of the last 40 years returning with something that would wow me – not sedate me!
Alas I fear I will remain disappointed
ladies ladies pls control yourselfs no fighting
I actually think 5 times is enough to listen to a CD if you don’t like it after that then you aint going to like it. Take Porcupine Tree and Siena Root not really my cup of tea but after 3 plays I liked. I have listened to the music on the Gaurdian blog it aint Sledgehammer is it!!!!!
Oh oh, I see the pub car park scenario coming again!!!
I listened to it again, that’s twice now, but I still don’t think it’s as bad as Mr D seems to think so. I’ll give it another couple of tries though.
OK Mr S, it certainly is no Sledgehammer I’ll give you that much. But then Sledgehammer was no Intruder or Moribund the Burgermeister was it? And none of them were a Shock the Monkey either. Have you heard the live version of that one yet? Sure worth digging out I can tell you!
The thing about Gabriel is, he isn’t averse to trying new things. Some of them work, some of them don’t, but you can’t knock him for trying.
OK I’ve listened to it enough times now – I like it!!!
You said that stark, minimalist and bare are favourite words of critics. That may well be, but it also is the best way to describe that type of music.
I like minimalism. I like the way that bands such as Faust, Einsturzende Neubaten, Nurse with Wound and to a certain extent, Dead Can Dance take the normal forms of music composition and strip it down to the bare essentials, then totally deconstruct even them. I like to hear emotion in music, and one emotion, like it or not is angst. I like dark, sombre music (look up Morte Macabre). Not all the time of course, just when I’m in the mood for it.
I do know Mark Hollis and Keith Jarrett although I don’t really know much about Tindersticks. Jarrett especially is played quite a bit here in the land of the Spacepigs and I do enjoy it. But sometimes I need to hear things really out there, and the bands mentioned above fit in there quite nicely thank you very much!
The new Gabriel one should fit in there well with some of the others and, despite your recommendation it’s now in my Amazon basket.
Thanks Spacey – I am actually glad you like and as I have said before – I am actually sorry that I don’t like it.
Watch out for a track on next months music mix by Julia Kent – will also post a track on ‘Now this is music’. I think you will like.
Note to Spacepig and Laughing Dog
I do not wish to select sides in this discussion but I do believe that Spacepig has a point. Gabriel should be commended for creating this music when all around him artists are pampering to public opinion and doing exactly what the record company wants – which is often not what the majority of music lovers desire or want.
I also believe that music should challenge you, should be diverse should be unique. Gabriel has certainly achieved this and while I do feel that the album does actually lack that spark to embrace the listener and hold him for the entire album (Flume and Après Moi being prime examples) it has enough strength of character and conviction to be, for me, one of the highlights of the year so far.
Thanks Ken for your comments – I played the album again today since reading your comments and I still think you must have shit in your ears.
Go buy some cotton buds!!
Dearie me Mr Dog, I thought you were all for encouraging diverse tastes in music. That’s not a very nice thing to say to Ken who has constructively explained why he likes this CD and hasn’t resorted at all to any attempts at dismissing those who don’t share his views. I expect and immediate and grovelling apology.
Then, as a form of penance, go and listen to every PG album you can find and come back with a 5000 word dissertation on how the willingness to diversify affects the overall perspective of a musician, referring to at least five other artists who have a full album worth of songs which, if not better than the original, as a very minimum, redefine the original to such an extent that they can be considered entirely new compositions.
Suppose you’re right Spacey – sorry Ken – all comments welcome here
even the ones that are full of shiteLOL thats an apology????????????????????
http://www.channel24.co.za/Content/Music/AlbumReviews/672/1f107567588c4662b220f6ca615a6dc6/16-02-2010-03-55/Peter_Gabriel_%e2%80%93_Scratch_My_Back
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm