Visigoth

It has taken me years to come around to this album, mostly because of Peter Gabriel’s vocals, which are to me quite grating. That being said there are definitely tracks worth your time on here, and overall it marks a good first step in the ex-Genesis member’s solo career.

Frankly I do not get the hate. While they have other far greater, more memorable tracks on other records this one holds the unique honour of feeling extremely short, which is one of the best things an album can do! it’s got tightly knit, catchy tracks all throughout and the title track is just awesome. Yes, the departure of Roger is audible, but I think it’s less of a deal than a lot of people make it out to be.

I find the labelling of this album as “prog” rather strange, it neither recalls the style of the early 70’s rock paragons nor is it particularly revolutionary. That being said I can definitely see an evolution out of the previous decade’s Neo-psychedelica movement, breathing a fresh air of life into the scene. Definitely going in my library!

The atmosphere is certainly appealing, the cover and title are fantastic and the track titles invoke a similar feeling as Talk Talk’s later albums… that being said I do not really find the music very substantive. the soundscape, while enticing and immersive, is very one-note. The album doesn’t really have any highs or lows until the last two tracks hit you with some interesting moments, definitely my favourite chapter of the album.