Scratch My Back

Not all the songs blow you away, but there are a few gems in here such as Flume, Heroes, and Book of Love, and Peter Gabriel's voice just ages like fine wine. No-one like him. Sends shivers down the spine at times.... a great chill out album.

Over the past four nearly five decades, Peter Gabriel has produced some of the very best music to have been heard in the medium. His track record in producing and promoting a wide diversity of musical styles is second to none. However, this covers album requires repeated listening for even his most hardened fans. An eclectic selection of well known and not so well known songs are laid bare before the listener. Gabriel puts his own mark on this selection of excellent songs and I for one am looking forward to the reciprocal album due from those artists Gabriel has chosen to cover. Whilst some of the covers are wildly different from the originals, Gabriels versions work remarkably well, given the fact that they were originally composed, in most cases, for the standard rock set-up of drums guitars and bass. The listener is provided not with Karaoke versions of the originals but with orchestral treatments which on occasion take some time to register, in fact some of the songs are so different, you might think you where at a recent Dylan concert. With the odd exception Gabriels voice, which has deepend and matured beautifully over the years, gives new impetus to some of the tired original versions. If you are not 'moved' by his version of Lou Reed's 'The Power of the Heart' or Regina Spector's 'Apres Moi' you really do need to get out more. A slow burner that repays repeated plays, not for the faint hearted and often challenging, but ultimately uplifting. And finally Peter, the 'Street Spirit (fade out)' - Radiohead cover is just 'creepy', must do better. Not to be sniffed at but to be listened to with an open mind. Recommended

We love peter gabriel but were very very disappointed with this cd. It was all so depressing and slow. We dont think that we will play it again.

As the critics say "one for the fans". I am a big Peter Gabriel fan and found this album real tough going... Each track is done in EXACTLY the same style, slow and light orchestration to deliver a relentlessly depressing wrist-slashing package... Yes - Mr Gabriel's voice is still awesome and the production is faultless, but I found myself longing for some variety after track 2...

this album is very depressing. I was looking forward to receiving this. All the songs are very slow , will not be playing this again . I have never written a review before, but on this occasion I felt compelled to do so !