[So, It's Been Four Decades] -- This week in 1986, Peter Gabriel released his fifth solo studio album, So. It was his first studio LP to have an actual title (though Geffen did release his 1982 Peter Gabriel album, his fourth such non-titled release, as Security in the US even after that record had been released without a title elsewhere). Titling was something that Gabriel took to reluctantly; he preferred to consider each album based on its sleeve art, but that caused a bit of confusion for marketing [Rolling Stone, September 4, 2012].
No confusion for this release. So was a tremendous success, not to mention Peter Gabriel's most accessible release. Almost immediately, this record launch Gabriel out of his prior cult status and into a stratosphere of mainstream stardom. There were five singles released – "Sledgehammer", "In Your Eyes", "Don't Give Up", "Big Time", and "Red Rain" – each one charting well, with several becoming top hits not only in the US and UK, but globally as well. From beginning to end, there's really not a clunker on this album.
On paper, this album probably should not have worked. Gabriel utilized elements of world music with his usual digital sampling, but fused them with pop, soul, and prog rock, one moment swinging with brassy horns and the next quietly musing over a shimmering bass line. And, lyrically, the songs made stinging political statements and shared pointed self-reflection. Thematically, it is all over the place. But Gabriel's voice and direction, and the strength of the collaborations, keep the potential tensions from flying apart while presenting a cohesive and entertaining package. No, I can't really call So a package. It's an experience.
So reached #2 on the US Billboard 200, #1 in the UK (as well as Austria, Finland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and Spain), and well into the top 25 of other charts around the globe. And I have not even scratched the surface of how successful and influential this album truly was.
"What I carry in my heart | Brings us so close or so far apart | Only love can make love" (from "That Voice Again").
Flashback: So (May 19, 1986)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
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