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CD Review: Peter Gabriel, “Scratch My Back”

Dw. Dunphy February 1, 2010 17

I have developed a reputation as someone who hedges his bets when it comes to criticism, and Peter Gabriel’s first full album in a very long while (since 2002′s Up, in fact) is no different. In fact, it will read like the script from the latest miracle drug commercial: Do not listen to Scratch My Back while driving, as side effects include sleepiness. Do not take if you have been diagnosed with, or are prone to, feelings of depression. If symptoms persist, contact your doctor or at least change the CD.

The new collection is very beautiful, in fact. It finds Gabriel reinterpreting songs from artists as diverse as Paul Simon, the Arcade Fire, David Bowie, the Magnetic Fields and Radiohead, and does so strictly with orchestral accompaniment. The goal is to spotlight the lyrics, and Gabriel does so remarkably well. The only problem is almost every song arrives dour, funereal, often the exact reverse of what you would expect from Gabriel’s typically rhythm-centric world music ethos. A prime example is Simon’s “The Boy in the Bubble,” which becomes a polar opposite of the original, devoid of that strong pseudo-zydeco beat, and the key line, “These are the days of miracles and wonders,” becomes damn near sarcastic in the translation.

Even so, it’s still a well-crafted release, and shows a great deal of respect for the original performers even though the performances are drastically altered. The best way I can express why I’m so ambivalent about this album is that I love the “Here Comes the Flood” redux that appeared on his Shaking the Tree hits collection, but Scratch My Back, on the surface, smacks of being that sound repeated again and again. In the hands of someone less talented it would be irreconcilable, but in Gabriel’s you get a disc’s worth of meticulous, and sometimes disturbing, lullabies. I’d recommend it to only Gabriel fans and the most open-minded of listeners. The rest of you should take the doctor’s advice: Do not listen while operating heavy machinery.

Scratch My Back is available from Amazon.com.

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About the author: Dw. Dunphy View all posts by
Dw. Dunphy is a writer, artist, musician, bon vivant, n'er do well, but neither a president nor client of the Hair Club for Men. He resides in New Jersey with his decades-old neuroses and debt.You can follow him at Facebook, Twitter, or hit him up on Google+. Or just hit him. Really hard. With bats. Until he asks for you to stop, but don't stop. If you stop, an angel doesn't get its wings.

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  • Paulza

    Sorry to hear this–it's the same criticism that was leveled against his last album, which I tended to agree with, although it grew on me over time. I'm sure I'll buy this one, too, but I wish he's bring up the BPM a bit higher…he did so much interesting work with world beats long before that became the style.

    He's doing an interesting approach with this cover album–releasing dual singles each month, with his performance from Scratch My Back, paired with the original artist's cover of a Peter Gabriel tune. The first is “The Book of Love”, originally by the Magnetic Fields, paired with Stephen Merritt (of The Magnetic Fields) performing Not One of Us. There's also an iPhone app that gives insight into the process (although it's more of a doorway into buying the dual singles, truth be told).

  • RoyBatty

    Good call on “Hear Comes the Flood,” which I find more compelling than the original.

    I heard a few samples of this new one on Youtube a few weeks ago and was hoping the Gabe would rock it up a bit on some of the other tunes not previewed. Oh well. I guess we all can use some rainy day music, eh?

  • JT

    Funny thing about cover albums, is that I always wonder if its truly an artistic expression or just a filler for the record contract. When I heard the tracks from this album, I really felt it was the latter.
    ……like something he worked on very quickly. Its his voice, but not his sound.

  • georgakis

    I do totaly agree with you Mr Dw Dunphy.

    No need to pay any atention to someone wha has made a so wonderful re-writing of Bowie's song that Bowie himself was amazed and found it very good.

    No need to listen to the way Mr Gabriel pompously exort us to take an active part onthe world around US, rather than strictly undergo it. Better put on the television, look at the flow of picture coming from Haiti, eventualy lets run a tear, thinking that we're so close from that disaster from the other side of the screen that is exactly as if we've been doing something concreate about it.

    I now, you've been sending money right now in order to calm your consciousness, but what about in one month two months, when the country still be needing it ?
    Mr Gabriel's song will be still downloadable hapily.
    And what a coincidence that as soon as released, this song would find a so clear echo through the news!

    No you're right, don't listen to that record, and over all, to the lyrics. When Paul Simon song is dedicated to someone, who choose non violence and became member of the first Mandela government after having used violence. No, South Africa isn't the country in the world having known one of the most radical cultural social and economical risk of rupture. And that's not what we're living nowaday. Keep having an hearing on violence rising polls evrywhere and keep being anguished.

    Don't listen neither to Neil young asking Laury Anderson to get married and speaking of love. Pick up your portable computer, connect in order to get a date for the evening. That's more fun and above all more adequate.

    Don't pay any attention to Neil Young lyrics, but think from time to time of those undergoing aids: a continent. Yes I know the H1N1 flue is much more present.

    If you're depressed don't take the risk to listen to one of the most emotional vocal performance. Emotions and sharing are not prescribed by any doctors. Better go to the next chemistery they know what to do.

    And if you're operating a heavy machinery, why would you listen to something nearing classical music ?

    I do agree, better listen to some other stuffs, you've got choice.

  • RoyBatty

    I mean “Here Come the Flood,” of course. Doh. Teaches me to post before my morning coffee!!

  • RoyBatty

    Yes, yes…Dunphy hates Haitians, puppy dogs, nuns and orphans because it's easier!

  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    It's true. And Santa Claus, that filthy slacker.

  • Matt

    I also liked the reboot on Here Comes The Flood. Gonna have to spend some more time with this album…still not sure. I liked Up, both the album and tour.

  • mandakh

    I have never been a fan of Peter Gabriel, but I am a huge fan of both Arcade Fire and Magnetic Fields and I must say that Gabriel's versions of their songs blew me away. The whole album has been the soundtrack to everything i've done these past couple of days. While I haven't been operating heavy machinery during the listening, I have been avoiding getting hit by them on my way to work and Gabriel's version of “My body is a cage” has been the one thing that has kept me going through blizzards and snow plows.

  • Waade

    Nice review. I dunno that this is for Gabriel fans only though. It is brooding, yes, and not for the kiddies. But at times it is transcendent. I've heard four songs so far, and they play like an epic film score. Awesome stuff.

  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    I still feel that, after all this time, there is a large contingent that never got past So. If they felt Us and Up were drastic tonal shifts, this is bound to totally disrupt them. Meanwhile, those who got the larger oeuvre of his work won't be shocked – maybe they'll wish there was a little more energy to it (just as I do) but they'll “get it” more.

  • bernardboiteux

    I see Peter Gabriel being part of a artistic trend, like Eno, Bowie, Young who are trying to avoid songs that they have played for over 30years. As much as I like this album its time for Mr. Gabriel to snap out of it and not take 8 years to put out an album. I've been a major fan for over 30 years. Some of his best work came when he was releasing albums every two years. Creative juices need to be flowing. Peter's juices are furmenting into wine making his music slighty drunk. Sleepy, blurry drunk.

    Peter Gabriel needs to get back to working with with producers like Daniel Lanois, Robert Fripp and Steve Lillywhite who helped Peter create some of the most influential music that made him the legend he is.

  • roner

    It's a relatively accurate review you give my friend. I too agree with your “Here Comes the Flood” comments.

    This is a very depressing listen the first time. As a Peter Gabriel fan however, I love the fact that his voice is almost completely unaltered. You can hear the rasp and imperfections that make him the great that he always has been.

    I have my favorite tracks, as with every other Gabriel album. But with the first few listens, I have to say that this is a better album than Up.

    His soaring tones on Apres moi remind me of his work on previous Genesis albums and especially Passion, The Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack.

    I'm hopeful that all of the artists he covered on Scratch My will grace us with their presence on Scratch Yours. I would love to hear many of Gabriel's catalog with renditions by such greats as Simon, Elbow, Young, Byrne, Bowie, and Radiohead.

    My eight year wait is finally over, and for that I'm extremely greatful.

  • Pingback: Basement Songs: Peter Gabriel, "The Power of the Heart" | Popdose

  • ripped

    I have been a HUGE Gabriel fan for many many years. Both from his time in Genesis and his solo career. I bought this cd on spec thinking “How can I lose? I've liked almost everything he's done.”
    I must say that I found absolutely no redeeming factor in this compilation whatsoever! I feel like I've been ripped-off! What a rotten collection of mopey depressing songs. Gabriel has always had a deep fascination with rhythm (as have I) and this has none! SAVE YOUR MONEY! DON'T BUY THIS CD!
    Ripped

  • Wkinsey

    You are an immensely wise person.
    You betcha we have hope.
    We all know what has to be done we know everytime we log on.
    We just don’t fracking do it!
    We all know the world we should have.
    So does Gabriel Thank God!

  • Wkinsey

    Dude you are so wrong.
    Open your mind!