Peter Gabriel Arizona

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel

Geffen, 1980

REVIEW BY: Michael R. Smith

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 01/13/2008

The third album in Peter Gabriel’s self-titled trilogy, often referred to as Melt, also happens to be his first  fully-realized package of songs.

Produced by Steve Lillywhite of U2 fame, it is one of those albums where there certainly isn’t a shortage of band members playing a wide variety of instruments. Lillywhite and engineer Hugh Padgham even provide the whistles, while someone else supplies the “screeches.” The credits may not point to a pleasant listening experience, but it is.

The first track, “Intruder,” lets us know that this is a new and improved Peter Gabriel that is ready for what the 80s might have in store. With a line like “I like to feel the suspense, when I’m certain you know I am there,” it is made clear that he intends to make the creepy popular. Melt is all about making the big statement. It’s got radio-ready fare like “I Don’t Remember” and the college staple “Games Without Frontiers,” as well as the chilling anti-apartheid anthem “Biko.”

Gabriel also shows what an impressive composer he is with the instrumental “Start” and the mostly instrumental “Lead A Normal Life.” Such tunes seem to be pointing him in the direction of soundtrack scores and world music, which he would delve into later in his career.