...along with Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) and Empty Glass. Three of the best sounding albums ever recorded. My 17 year-old self listened to each of them over and over and over and over. Three of my "desert island records." But this one is easily my favorite of the three.
In the late evening of December 8, 1980, some friends and I were listening to this record. The song "Family Snapshot" had us wondering if it was possible for a song like that, or music in general, to make someone snap and kill a celebrity. I found out the next morning.
"Biko" was probably my least favorite song on the record at the time, because it's even darker and slower and more depressing than the rest of the record. (if that's possible) But it did make me investigate the subject matter, and Peter Gabriel's work in general was one of a number of things at the time that opened me up to a more worldly and inclusive overview. I actually had a brief opportunity to thank him for that, a number of years ago. A very gracious gent.
"It was business as usual in Police room 619."
And nearly 40 years later, we STILL keep having this same fucking conversation.