Search - Peter Gabriel :: Us

'though it takes all the strength in me, and all the world c

Deven Gadula | san francisco, ca, united states | 11/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a powerful statement Peter Gabriel released following his marriage break up. Wonderful gift to many considering a divorce so they can hear his pain and then decide to...move on. This experience has the power to make you want to work on what is at hand and not let go and start again only to notice later on that a part of you was gone as well. It is hard to stay whole when parts of you are left all over.



Musically this album is complex with big emphasis on drum beat. Peter Gabriel is a phenomenal drummer himself, playing drums and singing for Genesis over 35 years ago. His friends not only from his ethnic music label are joining him here but drums are controlled mostly by them. The Babacar Faye drummers are playing Sabar drums on a couple of songs; Manu Katche plays on most songs; Assane Thiam is playing Talking drum on one song. Besides Tony Levin on bass and David Rhodes on guitar Peter is getting help here from Brian Eno, Sinead O'Connor, Daniel Lanois Ravi Shankar, William Orbid and John Paul Jones amongst others and the instruments include saxophones, trombone, violin, cello, mandolin, harmonica, Mexican flute, Ney flute, Senegalese shakers, and other things. A lot is going on here although the sound is often so full of drum beat that it takes some careful listening to separate some of the instruments. And yes, it is true that the low tones of drums go hand in hand with the dark mood of Peter's spirit. This album is his pain relief.

Love To Be Loved holds an incredible moment in it: 'this old familiar craving, I've been here before. This way of behaving, don't know who the hell I'm saying any more. Let it pass let it go let it leave. From the deepest place I grieve this time I believe. And I let go. And I let go. I can let go of it, though it takes all the strength in me, and all the world can see. I'm loosing such a central part of me'... Pretty powerful stuff... This is a very even album. Basically the entire album is great. The only songs I did not care about too much was #4, Steam, which of course got the most air play and attention, and songs #9 and #10. Back in 2008 I have compiled my favorite songs of Peter Gabriel and called them Fear, She's The Mother Of Violence:



1. Growing Up

2. Open

3. 3. San Jacinto

4. Come Talk To Me

5. Mercy Street

6. Low Light

7. Biko

8. I Grieve

9. Running To The Rain

10. Only Us

11. Mother Of Violence

12. Darkness

13. Couldless

14. Here Comes The Flood

15. edit of Darkness (0:34)

"

One of my favorite albums!!!!

H. Desjardins | USA | 12/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was shocked and surprised to read the Editorial review by Rob Stewart. This is one of Peter Gabriel's best albums. Way way way better than 'Sledgehammer' or 'Big'! This is one of my favorite albums - it has some of the most meanful, insightful and introspective songs. I encourage you to listen to the album in its entirety - you won't regret it."

Peter Gabriel at his best!!!

E. Janzen | Abbotsford B.C. | 04/16/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Gabriel has had an interesting career moving from prog-rock radical, to pop superstar, to world-beat saviour.



Released in 1992, at a time when grunge was at its peak, "Us" includes the singles "Digging in the Dirt", "Steam", and "Blood of Eden" as well as many more well written songs. No filler here.



Again Gabriel works closely with longtime producer Daniel Lanois who has worked with Bob Dylan, U2, and Sinead O'Conner just to mention a few.

They continue to incorporate World Music or Non-Western musicians, instruments, textures, and rhythms into the music to get the sounds

that they want, and in the process expose the listener to some interesting music.

The end of Gabriel's marriage undoubtedly contributed to the self-consciousness and introspection that permeate the lyrics on this recording.



I've been a Peter Gabriel fan since the early Genesis days and "Us" is one of my favorite Peter Gabriel recordings.



I highly recommend "Us" even if you are not a Peter Gabriel fan. You just need to be able to appreciate quality music."