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| Contents | ||
| So | ||
|---|---|---|
| Album by Peter Gabriel | ||
| Released | 1986 | |
| Recorded | February- December 1985 | |
| Genre | Progressive Rock | |
| Length | 45 min 21 sec | |
| Label | Geffen | |
| Producers | Peter Gabriel, Chris Hughes , Daniel Lanois | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| AMG | 4/5 | link |
| Peter Gabriel Chronology | ||
| Birdy ( 1985) | SoSo is the fifth studio album by British rock musician Peter Gabriel, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). Many of its songs reflect a more conventional pop writing style which became radio hits. Others still retained Gabriel’s dark, brooding sense of exp ( 1986) | Us ( 19921992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday. Events January January The Internet Society is formed. January 1 Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General January 1 George H. Bush becomes the fi) |
So is the fifth studio album by BritishThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly rock musician Peter Gabriel, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music). Many of its songs reflect a more conventional pop writing style which became radio hits. Others still retained Gabriel’s dark, brooding sense of experimentalism and are held as classics by his more eclectic fans.
This is Peter Gabriel’s first album produced and performed with Canadian artist Daniel Lanois. Lanois had been previously known for his ambient collaborations with Brian Eno. Lanois brought many of his own ambient sensibilities to this album.
The album begins with an emotionally charged piece titled "Red Rain". Its lyrics vividly depict dream imagery that reflect a sense of vulnerability.
The second track is Peter Gabriel's most popular single, "Sledgehammer". "Sledgehammer" is an upbeat piece with strong Motown influences. An eccentric video was made for this song which won MTV's 1987 Top Music Video Awards. This video features stop motion animation by the Aardman Animation company who later created the famous Wallace and Gromit series. The video ends with a shadowy dancing figure covered with lights. While performing "Sledgehammer" in his 2002 tour, Peter Gabriel recreated this image by wearing a jacket covered with LED lights.
Tracks 3-6 cover more serious emotional content. These tracks are a duet with Kate Bush titled "Don't Give Up", "That Voice Again", "In Your Eyes" and a piece dedicated to Anne Sexton titled "Mercy Street".
Track 7 is the album's last upbeat pop piece, "Big Time". This song is a parody of the narcissism of the 1980's.
Then comes the album's darkest and most experimental track titled "We Do What We’re Told (Milgram’s 37)". The title refers to the 37 out of 40 compliant subjects of the Milgram experiment's Experiment 18.
The album then ends with a pictorial and meditative piece titled "This is the Picture (Excellent Birds)". This song features Laurie Anderson.