Peter Gabriel - Security

After three eponymous discs noteworthy for their thematic richness and musical experimentation, Peter Gabriel yielded to conventional wisdom by actually titling this 1982 successor. In every other respect, however, Security was another stride beyond the progressive-rock terrain Gabriel had explored from Genesis forward. Most crucially, he goes deeper into the heart of world music and further investigates the African sources first invoked on the prior album's magisterial track, "Biko." Security is steeped in polyrhythms, sculpted with synthesizers, and detailed with percussive textures set to a low boil beneath Gabriel's yearning vocals. Its themes of transcendence and identity, and contrasts of modern isolation with primordial community, reverberate through "Lay Your Hands on Me," "I Have the Touch," "The Rhythm of the Heat," and "San Jacinto." And in "Shock the Monkey," the set's initial hit, Gabriel portentously stands dance rhythms on their head in a troubling, funny riff on the mammal within. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com essential recording

An amazing auditory and emotional experience

Most of Peter Gabriel's records following "2/Scratch" are concept records based on a theme. "3/Melt" was essentially about mental illness in various expressions; "Up" is about grief, loss, and death; "Us," about his divorce and the complexities of relationships. "Security" seems primarily to be about the interplay of human rituals and instincts, religious belief and spirituality, and cultural identity. We have joyful visions of that interplay, as with the ecstatic take on courtship that is "Kiss of Life," and disturbing ones, as with "Wallflower," the hauntingly majestic ode of hope for a political prisoner, imprisoned for questioning that interplay in the status quo lives of the "builders of the cages." There may be no more poignant a moment in modern pop music than when Gabriel pleads to the prisoner, "Hold on...hold on..." And there are also visions of everything from the primordial spiritual power of rhythm and dance (Rhythm of the Heat), to the epic tragedy of the destruction of a culture (San Jacinto), to the need for wholeness and healing found only in the power of human touch and relationship (I Have the Touch, Lay Your Hands on Me), to the havoc wreaked by the primitive urges and drives within us (Shock the Monkey was about dealing with jealousy, according to Gabriel).

But let's talk about the sheer auditory power of the music. Other reviewers have described it better here, but folks...this is an incredible sonic ride. Gabriel delights in both subtle and powerful play with African-inspired rhythms throughout the record. The drum/percussion climaxes on "Rhythm..." and "Lay Your Hands...," will absolutely blow your mind and leave you breathless. "Security" is experienced more than heard. Nowhere else in Gabriel's catalog (or that of most other modern rock performers) is the artist able to manipulate the listener's emotions and intellect to tell his stories as powerfully as he does on this record. Most of the songs may sound more experimental for mainstream pop listeners, in terms of the instrumentation and rhythms, but Gabriel more than makes up for it with the power and beauty of his arrangements and melodies. One of his best records. July 4, 2008

Secure Gabriel

Peter Gabriel's 4th album "Security" is a subtle blend of tracks, and it took me quite some time to appreciate them. My favorite track is probably "The Family and the Fishing Net", an intense piece that takes a twisted perspective on a wedding, and my least favorite's probably "San Jacinto", which gets a bit repetitive in the rhythm department. "Shock the Monkey" is kinda catchy, while "Wallflower" is profound and bittersweet. "Kiss of Life", with it's uptempo, soupy sounding drums, is a very unusual way to end this kind of record, I thought.

I'd recommend picking up Peter Gabriel's first album before this one, as that has slightly more sonic variety. I like "Security", but it does feel a bit distant and set apart. November 23, 2007

The Cover Says It All!

One look at the cover art should clue you in that something scarey lies within. Mr. Gabriel steps up his flirtations with African rythems with this fourth solo installment and my all time favorite Peter Gabriel album. I first heard of Peter Gabriel's work with the song Shock the Monkey through MTV. What a great song and perfect visualization to accompany it. Thankfully, it received heavy rotation so I could get my fill. When I later purchased this album, I was scared half to death. What in the world was this? All of the strange rythems and weird lyrics took me off guard. After multiple listenings I finally became hooked. Then, Peter Gabriel came to a small town nearby for one of the best concerts I had ever attended to this day. I was hooked. Peter Gabriel forever! Peter Gabriel for President! Buy this album. Turn it up loud. Be sure to call SECURITY! - Ciao August 10, 2007

Gabriel's rhythmic album

Released in 1982, this is Gabriel's fourth solo album. In the US, it was released as "Security". In the rest of the world, it was called "Peter Gabriel", the same title his first three albums had. Even on the US version, it is hard to find the title "Security".

This is an all digital recording and the sound quality is pretty good. For some reason, the original had better sound quality than So, which wa released four years later. There is now a remastered version. I don't know if it is worth getting if you have the original, but there was room for sound quality improvements.

This is Gabriel's more into rhythmic and "world music" sounds. There is much reliaance on a percussive sound and a driving beat.

The sound is much different than the first three Gabriel albums, which were more a progressive and new wave sound. This was turning point for Gabriel, and all of his later albums would continue in this vein.

There a number of excellent, long and deliberate songs, with strong driving beats.

This ablum introduces a new formula for hit making for Gabriel, with his first big hit, Shock the Monkey. This same formula would be repeated later with Sledgehammer (driven by an MTV video), Steam and Kiss That Frog.

This album was supported by a concert tour which is feature on the live album, called "Plays Live". It is the best live album Gabriel has released. This is mainly due to the fact that the songs on Security translate well to a live show. May 28, 2007

A perfect score

This cd is the best in Gabriel, strange, enigmatic and amazing sound texture. My choice for the best of the cd would be "San Jacinto", "The family and the fishing net", "Lay your hand on me" and "Wallflower".
I still remember the tour for this release, it was so special when Peter enter the stage, not from behind but in front of it, passing through the crowd at the other end of the Québec Coliseum until he reach the stage, maybe ten minutes later...the crowd just went crazy. Amazing concert, just like this cd ! Greatly done ! March 16, 2007

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