Peter Gabriel | Peter Gabriel (Scratch) [1978] Vinyl Review | States & Kingdoms

Peter Gabriel | Peter Gabriel (Scratch) [1978]

It's no surprise that we are big Genesis fans, and enjoy most off-shoots of Genesis. This is the first Peter Gabriel solo record we've talked about, and we will surely discuss the others as well. This is one of our favorites of his solo albums, it's got a real searching and fresh feel, plus a lot of really great songs - especially "White Shadow"!

Peter Gabriel is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, released on June 2nd 1978 by Charisma Records. Gabriel started recording the album in November 1977, the same month that he had completed touring in support of his debut solo release. He employed former King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, who was part of Gabriel's early touring band, to produce the album and incorporated his use of Frippertronics effects on the co-written "Exposure".

The album was released in the US as Peter Gabriel II. It later became known informally as Scratch, referring to the album's artwork by Hipgnosis. Some music streaming services refer to it as Peter Gabriel 2: Scratch.

The album reached No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 45 on the US Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Please let us know what you think of this record! We love comments.

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[KevinDobson-kq]

My fav Peter Gabriel album ever is UP❤❤❤

[Babettesfeast]

I cannot believe you don't have thousands of subscribers - the interplay between you two is fantastic

[KevinDobson-kq]

White shadow, mother of violence and flotsam and jetsam are my favorites on this album ❤

[magmasunburst]

This was a big album for me. I bought it when it came out, I was probably about 15. I must have played at least 30 times or more. It was all we had at the time as far as Gabriel solo material -- this and the first. The way the public received it who knew anything about it was that Gabriel was riding on the energy of punk rock, and the art-rock parts of it were trying to fit in with that general aesthetic.

[SirArthurStreebGreebling]

PG’s voice is just like melted gold. It’s hard to imagine a world without it. I bought So when it came out but was aware of him (obvs) via Solsbury Hill (which I will visit one day) and Games Without Frontiers.
I adored So, and latterly Us. But I have never been able to enjoy anything but snippets of those first Four albums. But especially Scratch.
I’ve always felt like I was doing something wrong, but again, it must be just personal taste. It’s the emotional detachment or coldness I think, that isn’t there in his later stuff.

[georgemathie]

I think this is a wonderful album and I love the diversity of it to from the almost punky rock opener on the air to the cold and brilliant exposure and some of my top favorite Peter Gabriel songs are on this album wonderful day in a one way world, animal magic and perspective and the other 2 I mentioned above and also Robert Fripp producing gives this album a very unique sound to

[KevinDobson-kq]

To me his albums have pairings

Car and Scratch
Melt and Security
So, on its own
Us and Up
IO on its own

[KevinDobson-kq]

Will you review Peter album UP? My fav lol

[ignatzmuskrat]

Dang, another engagement. Just had to observe, by your comment about Pete's music sounding "genesisy", ...cos he tried so hard to leave every stitch of that luggage behind, and yet, as Genesis headed toward R&B, he headed for Somalia who gave us ...Rock and Roll and R&B. It's a small world.

[ignatzmuskrat]

Gabriel has performed Mother Of Violence in his live set. It is one of those Time To Get The Beer moments every concert should have. To me this seems like a quiet Springsteen number. Probably the piano player. White Shadow is the best. You have to hear it on vinyl because the last groove plays the sine wave until you lift the arm. Infinite sound loop.

[JimmyLem]

...and then exploit.

I think his first four albums were on four different labels in the US originally.

I never really figured out how this album was supposed to hang together and wherever it does, it's on the players, like Fripp. I still know the Gabriel songs on Exposure better there than on his first two albums.

Security was the big one for me. Right place, right time. Walkman-ish cassette player. But I would say I was aware of PG III ("Frontiers") via radio before I identified who Genesis actually were.

[markboyd]

Every year or so in the 80s, record stores i loitered in had budget record sales. If you’ve ever bought a used LP with a big Nice Price sticker, that’s what that was all about.
About a year before So, I was able to grab the 1st 4 eponymous albums for around $20, which might have been a mistake.
Too much music to absorb in a short time.
I gravitated towards the 3rd & 4th records, with the angst & the huge drums & didn’t play this one much.
It grew on me over time, I guess I’m like everyone else. I like the ones they all like too.

[ignatzmuskrat]

This album may have the first and maybe only song that had a Stick playing on a reggae rhythm. Any other candidates I'm not aware of?
This is companion to Robert Fripp's trilogy series of album he produced using a similar formula...which reminds me of the punk NY studio sound. Very Lou Reed. No reverb.

[kevindobson]

Can you review Robert . Palmer albums . His 20th Anniversary is this month

[RealJeffTidwell]

“Perspective has… something…”

“Well, that’s your point of view.”

😎

[KevinDobson-kq]

My ranking is From best to worst

UP
Security
US
Car
Scratch
Melt
So
And
IO