Peter Gabriel - i/o | Album Review

[@lexava333]

Keep listening and you will realize the brilliance. Listen to Gabriels contemporaries(maybe a little older) like Simon, Dylan, McCartney and how weathered their voices sound and how great Gabriels voice still sounds.

[@paulayers1111]

Best album of 2023. Most likely my favorite of all his albums now

[@echosmyron1278]

Maybe it’s the “best” album of 1983 that happened to get released in 2023.

[@spsmith45]

I’ve given this many listens now. I really like this album. One of his best, if not the best imo. Lots of great hooks, lots of feeling, serious subject matter relevant to today’s world.

[@deathfromabove77]

Love Peter Gabriel. One of the few artists imo from the 70s who would age well as he's always been relatively commercially and critically successful just doing his own thing and not sucking up to the trends of the time. Which means his music is timeless.. And that brilliant voice still sounds amazing. Lovely album

[@80085word69]

Peter Gabriel is the real deal. I love the album. Seeing him perform it live really makes me enjoy it that much more. It’s incredible how he has retained his voice at this level.

[@davidellis5141]

Saw Peter last month & the show was great. The songs from the new album held their own & the album doesn't let you down ( particularly the darkside mix ) Peter sounded shot on his covers record a decade ago but has bounced back with this fine effort. Seeing him & The Cure in 2023 was something I would have not thought possible in 1993.

[@Fatherjohn76]

Totally echo both of your words about going into this with modest expectations. Only allowed myself to listen to Panopticon like Jason. I liked that song a great deal but still assumed it would be an uneven effort. But my God was I wrong. I freaking love this record!!! Voice, melodies, vibe, musicianship, production all top notch. It ebbs and flows beautifully and somehow sounds acknowledging of his past without pandering and still pushing into the future. Given his age and established productivity rate I don’t think it’s much of a leap to assume this is maybe the last studio album of original material Peter Gabriel will ever release. In that vein I hesitate to make the comparison, but it’s kind of like his Blackstar; a curtain call, last gasp existential masterpiece. Not as spiky and creatively left field, sure - more like a lush and contemplative meditation on mortality and acceptance. But it’s impossible to ignore the poignant sense of finality baked into these twelve tracks. I think it’s terrific. You know what? Five stars. There. I said it.

[@paulayers1111]

Playing For Time is my favorite. Seeing him perform this album live in October was INCREDIBLY AMAZING! He sounded soooo good live and the visual effects he used were all great too

[@johnw706]

Thanks for the review . I’ve been a fan of his since the late 60s , and was lucky enough to see him on the Lamb tour , as well as on his tours from Car to Security . I purposely held off listening to his released songs leading up to this album . I will soon be listening to it for the first time , so I really appreciate your thorough comments about the album . Cheers !

[@skdesign98]

Nice review. I really love the album. I've been listening to it for the past couple of weeks and like you both said its better than I expected. I don't know where to place it right now with his other albums but I definitely like it better than Up and Us.

[@davidellis5141]

Kram with some hot 🔥 takes today ! 👍

[@bbchronicles736]

Love this album! Emotionally and lyrically powerful, with lush meticulously and intricately crafted soundscapes, great songs and great production. For me, this is THE Best album of the year, without question. No other album made feel or think as much, from sorrow to joy, contemplation to exhilaration, just a masterclass in musical expression. Definite 5 stars here and quite possibly Gabriel’s best album.

[@bgbe7119]

Nothing to dislike. Nothing to love. A dark side, a bright side. What you might call a grower. Still, enough about me. I/O is fine, I guess. I'll listen again before I rush to judgement. Or anywhere else.

[@MunKeeButt67]

Four horses on the bright mix has been my favourite 🙃

[@MunKeeButt67]

Melt is still my favourite album. I hear some similarities to songs from US, and like four kinds of horses best. But there is life before SO, and I wouldn't mind a tilt in that direction. Sledgehammer killed it for a lot of old fans, which I like, but the MTV generation onwards only remember the dancing chickens etc. Scratch,Melt, Security and Plays Live are always my go to albums, and secret world dvd for visual moments. This will be a grower for me, but a bit milder than I wanted 🙃

[@juanvsreviews]

This is my favorite album since So. I do love Us too.

[@noheamike5036]

Haven't gotten the album yet, on my list for Christmas. Did see the last tour and the new tracks were my favorites of the show. A pleasant surprise.

[@garyives8676]

I'm glad you both like this album. I love the dark mixes the best.

[@dgiglio84]

Great review, guys. I can’t think of many artists who have been as consistent as Peter Gabriel. From his early days with Genesis to this album, he has rarely missed the mark.

[@oleksiiklokun7297]

Experts that we deserve

[@walterevans5658]

I love it. I did listen to each song as they were released each month, and I started to really enjoy the rhythm of getting a song a month. You get to really live with each song for awhile vs getting hit all at once. I also saw him on this tour where he played every song from i/o, and it was excellent. "Playing For Time" was a stunner live. I go Dark Side Mix. That's the one I bought on vinyl.

[@Vanessa.P]

I went with the dark mix because that seemed to be the one people were recommending more. I really wasn't sure what to expect with this album but I thought it was a really enjoyable listen. Some really good songs that stood out, especially the stretch from "Playing For Time" to "Road to Joy" and "Olive Tree". Some great hooks throughout and some exhilarating moments (the choruses kicking in on "i/o" and "Olive Tree" for instance). Just a really solid and enjoyable listen, also going with 4 stars.

[@awrogers3013]

Thanks fellas. Great service you do. Appreciate it

[@frangarcia7774]

Great job guys. I'm not as high on the album as you guys are but I agree that the sound is fantastic and so is the playing. Definitely worth while checking out. 7.5

[@joemelograno7403]

Easily one of my favs this year…PG sounds great with age and the band is stellar I saw him live in Philly back in September, so I was familiar with many of these songs The lyrics are a bit simplistic for him but I also appreciate how simple they are…thoughts on aging and connecting with the world (all things we can relate to) As for the mixes, I’d probably prefer the dark mix, especially on headphones…there is more bass work and depth that you hear Road to Joy I feel is the biggest difference in the mixes (especially the beginning)…that bass work is filthy So happy to see he is back and I heard he is teasing another one in the future

[@JesseGuthrieSF]

Live and let live is best when listening to the Bright mix. Road to Joy is best when playing the dark side. The Dark Side has a lot more low-end base up front.

[@gavinsmith9016]

For me i/o is a fantastic listen. On a first listen it held my attention from start to finish, and it's just got better with every listen. Favourite song - The Court. Wonderful to have him back and sounding great. The album artwork is interesting too.

[@raithrover1976]

Loving the new album. I've got the brightside mix on vinyl and it sounds immense with the headphones on. 4 stars for me.

[@joemorgan4740]

Great review guys. I love the new peter Gabriel album it’s via for my album of the year outof 30 new albums ive bought. Great production on it. Not sure but think I favour the dark mixes. Great video take care joe

[@freshprincezote6059]

Ya’ll need to listen to Up again. There are some absolute bangers on there.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I had Up on CD when it came out, so I’ve heard it a ton. I agree there are some bangers. But on the whole I think it feels like he’s trying a little too hard to be on the cutting edge and the songs suffer a little bit because of it. -Jason

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

Yo! What’s going on? Thank you for this great review on the new i o record. I haven’t really heard the record as a whole however I heard all the singles but never heard the album as a whole.

[@bengalgangster]

i will admit , i didnt listen yet , i was a little scared lol, Also you guys are keeping us busy with projects!! i will listen soon !! 🐯

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

Glad you all like it!

[@blackswanstudios6632]

Huge differences between the mixes. If you've listened to nothing but "Bright Side" mix for a couple of weeks and then try "Dark Side", the difference is night and day. Entire instruments missing, a completely different feel etc.

[@scottmcrae3355]

Good review guys. I like this album a lot as well…my favourite since So. I don’t get why everyone is commenting on the “stuff coming out and stuff going in” line. I think it sums the message up perfectly in a simple, almost child-like manner similar to the Flaming Lips “Do You Realize?”

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Well I’m on the record as hating Do you realize, so that explains that! - Joe

[@michelewiese48]

Another black & white album cover. Another distinguished English gentleman with a long history of pop hits under his belt. Do you enjoy Peter Gabriel’s (1989) Passion? Listen to Vince Clarke’s Songs Of Silence (40 years into his career - his first solo album) and drift away. Standout tracks include White Rabbit, Passage, and The Lamentations of Jeremiah. The entire album is a dark and sparse journey into another side of the man who brought us the sweet confections of Erasure’s “Oh l’amour” Depeche Mode’s “Dreaming Of Me” and Yaz’s “Only You”

[@ExcellentChalsTransit]

For me its a strong 3.5 stars, very solid record.

[@justdave3153]

I'd also give 3.5, And he sounds I incredible

[@outoftheunknown3155]

No problem with the 4 star ratings but I think your words really sell this album short. I think it's a very moving collection of songs and easily one of my favourites of this year. Only a handful of other albums have affected me in the way that this one has in 2023.

[@d1i2a3n4n5e6]

Agreed

[@pauljohnson5925]

2023 and we've had releases from The Stones, Peter Gabriel and even The Beatles. New Kate Bush album in 2024 anyone? 🤞 PS I love the new Gabriel release. A solid 4 from me.

[@JarrettMehldau]

Don't forget Paul Simon.

[@fastica]

Depeche Mode's last album is great.

[@peaceloverock6959]

Can you guys review Dolly’s rock album? I see that you did World On Fire back in May. Would be curious in your thoughts track by track.

[@leohall1337]

Critics....bah. This pretty much I the icing on his career. Hoping for more....but hope doesn't die. I can't wait to you guys are in you late 60's.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

Nice

[@barbarakirk3064]

The description of older acts who over-use Pro-Tools made me think of the Agnetha remixes album that's so autotuned I think Amanda Lehmann sang all the songs instead.

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

Good record, although considering when it was written, the resemblance to Up and Us isn't surprising. It sounds an awful lot like a record he made in the 90's or early 2000's.

[@chrisb2116]

Agree about Gabriel’s vocals better on dark side mix… notably for me on Playing for Time, bright side sounds pretty but dark side has more emotional resonance. Flip side though I like the bright side mixes of I/O and Road to Joy more… they sound less subdued and more leaning into their hooks which is what those songs are meant to do. A little disappointed in his lyrics on this album, very on the nose/generic, especially for him, BUT the more I listen the more I really like the album

[@tylerhackner9731]

Nice 👍

[@existentialmeltdown]

Is this a candidate for cover art of the year? As for the music, I need to give it a few more listens.

[@echosmyron1278]

The artwork is definitely a thousand times more interesting than the music.

[@existentialmeltdown]

Yes, I gave it one listen and don't really want to go back to it, but I will. As for "old-timers" who can still come up with the goods, I thought the latest Sparks album was more interesting.@@echosmyron1278

[@echosmyron1278]

I guess that my favorite album of 2023 made by an old band would have to be The Beggar by Swans. (They formed in 1982, and released their debut forty years ago.) The album has a demanding 2-hour runtime (but the title track is 44 minutes long, and the other songs run between 6-10 minutes), but it’s good to see the band still sounding vital and contemporary. Nothing like this bland, warmed-over 80s prog-pop with recycled hooks.@@existentialmeltdown

[@ChazeGeyer]

Curious now, thank you. Always thought he was an interesting vocalist, more aesthetic than Phil Collins. “Shock the Monkey” great, “Sledgehammer” solid pop with a groove…

[@somebodiesuncle1866]

Something different wu tang clan album rankings?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Is that something you really want to see us tackle?

[@echosmyron1278]

Confirmed: TLM is not for the children.

[@RostyslavLogachov]

Strong record - 3.5 stars. It could be 4 stars if not 2 hours length. It loses momentum for me, so I could'n put it at the level of others 4 records I gave in 2023. Nevertheless besides length here is very little to complain about. His best since So, and maybe would make top 50 for 2023, if I would ever bother to do it.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It’s only 2 hrs if you listen to both mixes back to back. It’s actually 68 mins

[@RostyslavLogachov]

@@TastesLikeMusic I could be wrong, but it seems like two mixes supposed to be as one album (like did King Gizz earlier this year). So consumed both discs without a break. I'm still would doubt if I would get it much higher considering just one disc, couse there is no that much wow moments for 68 mins either. I see the album as quality stuff with some awesome nuances and pretty unique style that only PG can deliver.

[@ArmandoMPR]

I think it has about four standout tracks, half of the remaining eight tracks are good, while the other half are excruciatingly boring. The four standouts are Panopticom, The Court, Four Kinds of Horses, and So Much. This is just my opinion, of course.

[@johnsreviewsofmovies6289]

you guys are too young gabriel i thought had retiired - the album is superb but i need a few more listens

[@toddhill7483]

I've had more than enough of Peter Gabriel, or perhaps that's just my problem.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

You didn’t miss him a little bit over the past twenty years?

[@toddhill7483]

@@TastesLikeMusic not working at a market that plays shock the monkey 3 effing times a day.

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Is it as good as "Us"?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think it’s better. But I don’t think Us is very good. -Jason

[@fastica]

Us was fantastic and it's my favorite PG album. This one's worse IMO. It's not a bad album, but I find it too over produced, just like Up.

[@alb8390]

Joe! Do you ever listen to yourself? Drop the valley girl

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I am from California

[@Peter-Burbank]

Up is so boring! … I’ll hunt up a copy of this album

[@bradmoore7971]

I don't get or dig the trend of pre releasing singles. Makes the actual eventual release of the full album anticlimactic and meaningless. Best recent example was the new Extreme album. Pre released three songs. And they end up being the best ones. Unbelievable internet buzz and millions of views. Then full album comes out. And no one cares

[@d1i2a3n4n5e6]

I doubt you guys were even born when SO came out.. and you are giving critiques? LOL

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I was alive and even if we weren’t, that’s the literal reason recordings exist.

[@bradmoore7971]

And new Rolling Stones album. They pre release the singles. Amazing buzz. But full album comes out and same thing. Who cares? We have already heard the best songs. Bad bad artistic and marketing decision

[@claytonkelley4921]

Sorry wasn’t a fan at all. 2.5

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Boooooo

[@Liam123-r8o]

Do you like other Gabriel albums?