Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel - Charisma - CA-1-2215

Oh....wow.After the angular and uncompromising sound of his second album, Gabriel took another side-step with its successor, and from the start lets you know exactly what you're in for (he displays an uncanny knack for that in these early albums). "Intruder", with its famed "gated" drum sound courtesy of Phil Collins, is a creepy, disturbing and utterly compelling track taking you places you'd most likely rather not go (into the mind of a stalker/intruder). What follows is along the same vein, the songs displaying the fraying nerve-ends of paranoia, alienation, loneliness and all-round angst. I was twenty when this came out, adrift and broke in NYC and in a right state. I came to this album at exactly the right time (or wrong time, depending on your viewpoint) and I felt that almost all of the tracks (well, okay, not "Biko") were a snapshot of my life at that point.Personal reasons aside, this is a stunning, brave and emotionally raw album, bristling with edge and energy. "Games Without Frontiers" ostensibly lightens the mood a bit with its jaunty whistling and off-kilter references to the popular game show, but the lyrics betray an unsettling undercurrent and the video for it is downright menacing. The album finishes off with the anthemic "Biko". Sure, his ex-label mate Peter Hammill tackled the subject first in his "A Motor Bike In Africa", but Gabriel makes it epic. It's a powerful, stirring piece of music and, despite its brutal subject matter it lights a candle of hope that's a welcome relief after the bleakness that came before.Did I mention its bleakness? It is - it can be harrowing and unnerving, but I still I rate this as one of Gabriel's best and most consistently great albums.

I suppose that I was drawn to this album on the strength of "Games Without Frontiers", but I'm afraid to say that "Games" is the ONLY reason I can give for anyone else thinking of buying it. The rest of the album sounds bleak, turgid and pretty much tuneless. I could kick myself now for not checking the whole thing out on something like "YouTube" beforehand. I know it wasn't incredibly expensive, but however much it cost was just too much. I challenge anyone to believe that this is the man whose voice once led the early Genesis.

managed to see peter Gabriel at Newcastle city hall , all the lights went out , then the band entered the hall at the rear walking to the stage with miners lights flashing every where. the passion Gabriel and band put into there performances is fantastic. the lyrics can make you feel like singing your head off at the top of a mountain such emotion, then theres the songs that can bring a tear to the eye . this concert was a very special one as my girlfriend joy touched Gabriel so that made her night . happy times.

This third solo album by Peter Gabriel is a mix of Genesis (smaller than the previous two) and a quality pop-rock influence. The first track, "Intruder", is a very present and strong drums in an interesting and suspenseful tone. Go to the last track "Biko" that is perhaps the best known. The album features interesting and diverse tracks with the energy of Peter Gabriel. Worth knowing! Note 8.0.

I used to like this album more when i was a teenager, although PG4/Security was always my favourite. I haven't heard PG3 for a while so decided to get a copy and have a listen again. Overall it seems very much sounds like a transitional album - the tracks like Intruder, No Self Control and Games are very strong and coherent but it also struck me that there's several weak tracks on here - Through the wire, Lead a normal life and Not one of us, which sound a bit like failed attempts at something...interesting attempts admittedly. The next album PG4 is much more consistent, musically adventurous and lyrically strong.

Edgy, innovative, moody. Gabriel was very much influenced by the punk revoloution in the UK, cleverly utilised the up and coming talents of the time (weller XTC Bush) Not forgetting old mucker phil collins brilliant drumming on no self control. Not a duff track on the album each track a joy and very different. It finishes off with the first Gabriel anthem 'Biko' Has not made a better album since.

Every act has its 'Sgt Peppers' album, this is Peter Gabriel's.The music is superb, watch out for your high frequency units on your speakers with the intro to Intruder.Superb Mr Gabriel.

I had a copy of this album on vinyl and I hadn't got a CD of it. Great music. Best drum sound ever.