Country : United Kingdom Label : Real World Genres and styles : Auteur Pop / Chamber Pop / Pop / Prog Rock Year : 2023

Peter Gabriel – i/o

· by Alain Brunet

Peter Gabriel has built his legacy from Up , 21 years ago, his last good album, to this one. Since then, he’s toured with Up tracks, then with recordings of covers and other recycling of his own repertoire, then with a symphony orchestra, then with Sting and finally, last fall, with a concert marbled with previously unreleased songs – I’m told.

For a long time, I was a real Peter Gabriel fan, much preferring his solo career to that of frontman for Genesis, which I found too cheesy at a time when theatrical prog was taking its toll. An openness to cutting-edge technology, an inclination towards non-Western music (remember Youssou N’Dour’s participation in the tours following the excellent So album) and less romantic syrup had given Peter Gabriel perfect reason to leave Genesis to Phil Collins – a wealthy power ballad superstar before retirement, thank God.

After Up released at the turn of the century, however, Peter Gabriel had nothing left to say, except to manage his achievements… which, incidentally, is what most of the chosen few in ” classic ” pop and rock do. Nothing could have foreshadowed this double album – the same dozen tracks are available in “bright side” and “dark side” versions. But… since I’ve covered Gabriel many times and interviewed him in the past, I finally stopped resisting. After Up released at the turn of the century, however, Peter Gabriel had nothing left to say, except to manage his achievements… which, incidentally, is what most of the chosen few in ” classic ” pop and rock do. Nothing could have foreshadowed this new work. But… since I’ve covered Gabriel many times and interviewed him in the past, I finally stopped resisting to dive again in his (real) world.

This album is certainly the result of a great deal of hard work and a fine harvest of inner fruits. The vocals are impeccable. The arrangements and choirs are meticulous, in a chamber pop or post-prog style. The beatmaking is relatively adapted to today’s technologies. Some of the hooks are as effective as in the old days, most of the melodies silky smooth. The lyrics speak of healing through love, the quest for joy and other universal themes that the elders transform into mantras to better pave the way for the rest of their lives.

We couldn’t ask for more from Peter Gabriel, who, despite this unexpected burst of creativity, could have been hazing out the same songs with identical craftsmanship two or three decades earlier. Let’s wish him all the best for the future, and for his hundreds of thousands of followers. With a few exceptions, they won’t be shy to enjoy.

Latest 360 Content

Ric’key Pageot: Madonna’s pianist and his passion for Black classical music

Ric’key Pageot: Madonna’s pianist and his passion for Black classical music

ONJ | Tirolien with Strings Brings Down the House

ONJ | Tirolien with Strings Brings Down the House

Kelly-Marie Murphy and the ideas lostness in music

Kelly-Marie Murphy and the ideas lostness in music

Kerson Leong and the timeless violin

Kerson Leong and the timeless violin

Noé Preszow – De ton vivant

Noé Preszow – De ton vivant

Les Violons du Roy Play with Timelessness with Kerson Leong: Interview with Laurent Patenaude

Les Violons du Roy Play with Timelessness with Kerson Leong: Interview with Laurent Patenaude

M / NM | The multiple voices of Corie Rose Soumah

M / NM | The multiple voices of Corie Rose Soumah

DVTR – Né pour flâner

DVTR – Né pour flâner

APACALDA – Jealous

APACALDA – Jealous

Center PHI | Cymatiques III, Kohlenstoff Annual Evening, Music-Video Summit

Center PHI | Cymatiques III, Kohlenstoff Annual Evening, Music-Video Summit

About Kendrick’s Reproval at Super Bowl LIX

About Kendrick’s Reproval at Super Bowl LIX

Black History Month | Time to Celebrate for Naya Ali

Black History Month | Time to Celebrate for Naya Ali

IGLOOFEST | Continuation and End with Four Tet

IGLOOFEST | Continuation and End with Four Tet

Three historic days with Franghiz Ali Zadeh and the Molinari Quartet in Montreal

Three historic days with Franghiz Ali Zadeh and the Molinari Quartet in Montreal

TAVERNE TOUR I The Drin at Le Ministère

TAVERNE TOUR I The Drin at Le Ministère

PRO MUSICA | Sophia Shuya Liu, the next big thing in piano music from Montreal

PRO MUSICA | Sophia Shuya Liu, the next big thing in piano music from Montreal

TAVERNE TOUR I Bad bitch vibes and hyperpop madness at O Patro Vys

TAVERNE TOUR I Bad bitch vibes and hyperpop madness at O Patro Vys

TAVERNE TOUR I Motherhood is a cacophonus explosion of sounds

TAVERNE TOUR I Motherhood is a cacophonus explosion of sounds

TAVERNE TOUR I Gondola is starting to make waves

TAVERNE TOUR I Gondola is starting to make waves

M/NM | Il teatro rosso, a tribute to Montreal’s legendary Red Light era

M/NM | Il teatro rosso, a tribute to Montreal’s legendary Red Light era

Serving Ennio Morricone

Serving Ennio Morricone

TAVERNE TOUR | Quai des brumes sold-out for Tabi Yosha, DJ Moses Bélanger at Rau_Ze

TAVERNE TOUR | Quai des brumes sold-out for Tabi Yosha, DJ Moses Bélanger at Rau_Ze

TAVERNE TOUR | Chandra, La Sécurité, The Gories… taverne tour de force

TAVERNE TOUR | Chandra, La Sécurité, The Gories… taverne tour de force

Subscribe to our newsletter