release date: Jun. 3, 1978
format: digital (2007 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Robert Fripp
label: Virgin / Charisma / Real World - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "On the Air" (live '78) - 2. "D.I.Y." - 3. "Mother of Violence" - 7. "Animal Magic" - 10. "Perspective" - 11. "Home Sweet Home"
2nd studio album by Peter Gabriel following his like-wise self-titled '77 debut album has Robert Fripp in the producer seat. All 11 compositions are credited Gabriel, of which two are made as collaborative works. Track #3 is co-written by Gabriel's wife Jill Gabriel and track #8 is co-composed by Robert Fripp, who is also credited on guitar (and 'Frippertronics'), as was the case on Gabriel's debut. Also American guitarist Sid McGinnis is credited on an album with two other re-appearing artists: bassist Tony Levin and keyboardist Larry Fast. Then also Springsteen (E-Street Band) stable keyboardist Roy Bittan contributes, and the album feature drummer Jerry Marotta as part of the backing band for his first of many albums for Gabriel. Some issues were titled "Peter Gabriel II", or simply "2" (especially 2002-issues), and it's often referred to as 'Scratch' with reference to the cover.
Like his 77-album this is another chapter in progressive rock / art rock territory with influences from typical contemporary glam rock (as embodied in Lou Reed, David Bowie, Roxy Music), and it does sound somewhat like leftovers from his fine debut, ultimately making it less interesting but also taking a position as the typical difficult sophomore follow-up, simply by being a more inconsistent collection of songs, where especially the first three compositions make promises of something better.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine 4 / 5, Uncut 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 3 / 5 stars ]
