Intelligent, sophisticated pop album

, So 'is generally regarded as virtually untouchable so work in Gabriel's catalog. That probably rightly so, because it shows in every song here as decided and with how much attention to detail of the ex-Genesis singer went here to work.

Nevertheless, it is of the 80 to be screened to 23 years also about time this masterpiece a little critical, and as falling on the first, that the ravages of time has gnawed also to this great album a bit. The songs are beyond any doubt, and also the amount of styles that is conflated Gabriel here naturally intelligent and sophisticated pop songs impressive sound-wise but puts this album today but then clear traces typical 80s productions free.

The great Stewart Copeland plays on, Red Rain 'eerily accentuated the drum sounds but sound tw. already badly artificial, and some synth sounds (pan flute sounds, for example.) now seem almost a little embarrassing to. Thankfully, there are Tony Levin's bass sound, which then irons out some in the overall sound and rhythmic arrangements then do the rest to this great album - but not to damage too much - over time.

Compositionally, the two - in fact unfinished - songs, We Do What We're Told 'and' This Is The Picture 'by the quality of the remaining 7 tracks more than offset. Quite wonderful, Do not Give Up ', in which the fine line between touching ballad and Kitsch is mastered bravurös. , Sledgehammer 'and' Big Time 'are steaming pop radio Kracher not totzuspielen even after all these years. , That Voice Again "reminds songwriting heavily on Gabriel's' 70s output, however, is arranged beautifully. , Mercy Street 'is another moving ballad and, In Your Eyes' succeeded Gabriel integrating world music influences probably the most elegant. The already mentioned, Red Rain 'is a thrilling, emotional and gospel breathing song that he never brought together so later.

A still impressive work, which one but compared to the albums before, sonically a very small must exhibit little worse testimony. , III 'is compared to timeless, organic' and 'IV' now has this retro-futuristic charm - just the songs were there throughout not quite as good as in, way '.

But at 5 stars but can not get to, so 'that still stands as one of the best albums of the 80s. After Gabriel had crossed his artistic zenith - at least his pop Publications arrived.