Peter Gabriel

This is the release that broke Gabriel into multiplatinum territory. Easily his most pop-flavored and accessible album to date, the hits "Big Time" and "Sledgehammer" dominated the charts in 1986. The masterful love song "In Your Eyes" may prove to be the most durable track; it found a place on the Say Anything soundtrack and melts hearts to this day.

When Peter Gabriel announced his departure from Genesis in 1975, a two-part prognosis
seemed reasonable. Without the flamboyant antics of its frontman – who might perform
dressed as a gigantic sunflower one night and a pyramid-headed psychedelic druid the
next – Genesis would founder, while Gabriel would soar toward glam-rock status of
Bowie-esque proportions. Of course, in those days, nobody was banking on Phil... More >

Gabriel's so smart he knows rhythm is what makes music go, which relieves him of humdrum melodic responsibilities but doesn't get him up on the one--smart guys do go for texture in a pinch. Like his smart predecessor James Taylor, who used to climax concerts with the clever macho parody "Steamroller," this supporter of good causes reaches the masses with "Sledgehammer," which is no parody. Where is "Biko" now that we need it more than ever? (Grade - B-)