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                             Peter Gabriel - "Us"
                            ----------------------
                              Total Time: 57:51
                     Publisher: Real World Music / Virgin

                   Review by David Cassidy, of Cynostic PD

It  is  six  years since Gabriels' last release, the fantastic "So" album, and
for some it has been a long wait.  Not me.  I only discovered the mans' talent
quite  recently,  having  borrowed "So" from a friend.  Since then I've bought
both  that  and  this,  his  new release, "Us".  This is a minor indication of
Gabriels' brilliance.

The  new  album continues his world music integration.  He was one of the many
who  went into the undiscovered musical countries (ie:  deep Africa/Asia etc.)
and  brought  back  new  ideas  and  concepts.   Now  he is one of the few who
actually  still  uses  these  instruments.   People  like Sting have left them
behind and Paul Simon is shite anyway.

Personally,  I  find it quite nauseating that artists invaded these countries,
took what they wanted and gained from it, only to leave it behind like another
fashion,   much  like  flares  or  beehive  hairdos.   Gabriel  has,  however,
perservered and produced another album of stunning quality.

By  using  instruments  like the doudouk, tabla, sabar drum to the cat-wailing
bagpipes,  he  has  integrated  within  his music a refreshing poignancy which
seems to be missing from so much of todays' industry output.

Gabriels' producer on this album, as his last, is Daniel Lanois, noted for his
technical  wizadry  and innovation and his reputation is shown to be justified
here.   By  simply listening to the interleving of sounds, one recognises that
this is no ordinary album.

Anyway  -  to  the  songs.  The first is "Come Talk To Me" and it is a perfect
introduction to the album, as grunging guitars give way to a tribal rhythm and
melodic  bagpipes.   This  is  the  first track on which Sinead O'Connor, that
fiery  shaven-headed  girl  from  the  Emerald  Isle  appears  and  her  voice
complements Gabriels' exactly.  She is the perfect replacement, if that should
be  the  case,  for  Kate  Bush  who appeared on one of "So"'s finest moments,
"Don't Give Up".

The  pleading,  aching  tone  of this song sets the themes for the rest of the
album  - a wishing for reconciliation within a relationship.  Even the cover -
depicting  Gabriel  moving himself into the ethereal image of woman - seems to
represent this wish for reconciliation.

The  second  track  - "Love To Be Loved" - builds fantastically well, from the
deep  bass intro with jangly guitars, to the matamorphosis of the aching theme
which  releases  into  full-blooded  pleading.  This is very Eric Clapton but,
fortunately, is more worthy of praise than the over-rated Slowhand.

Track  three  is "Blood Of Eden" in which O'Connor again appears, arguing with
Gabriel about the union of the woman and man, as the man says "...the distance
grows  between you and me / I do not understand".  The compassion felt here is
immense,  as  the  lyric spirals up, down and through the rhythms, which are a
heavy influence throughout the CD.

Next  comes  the  "Us"  equivalent of "Sledgehammer" - "Steam".  A funk-driven
beat  song  with  echoing  guitars, dirty horns and an insisting, driving drum
pattern.  This song is GROOVE - it is GRIND immaculate - and is a highlight of
the album.

As  the  tracks  go  on  we  are taken through the theme Gabriel has chosen to
commit  himself  to  -  that  of  a  wanting,  a  needing  of  partnership and
relationship  and the title "Us" suggests this, just as "So" suggested lack of
or passive acceptance.

"Digging In The Dirt" is an essential song for any musician.  Its structure is
superb,  containing a funky deep, deep bass, rolling, strangled guitars and an
extreme  hip-hop  beat  which  is  slowed down to a stop-start halt to produce
another  serious  piece  of  music.   The  vocals  are  totally prominent, the
accompaniment  being  set down slightly on the mix, creating a powerful effect
of projecting Gabriels' vocal even further into the dingy darkness where it is
so sweetly noticeable.

The  rest  of  the  album  follows  the same vein as already explored.  Mellow
melodies  juxtaposed  against  serious  grooves.   "Us" is a CD which is quite
distinctive  - I don't think I've heard much like it before.  It went straight
in  at  number  2 in the American charts, selling an amazing 300,000 copies in
its first week alone.  It is also doing well here in the UK.

This is a brilliant album.  I haven't stopped playing it since I bought it and
although  it  may take a few turns to get you clicked on it'll keep you hooked
for hours on end.

Gabriel  has here produced an album of outstanding quality.  Buy it or forever
hold your peace.


						Dave Cassidy

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