This Day in Music
Not all albums released in the 80's are “80's albums,” but all 80's albums were released in the 80's, and one of the best is celebrating its 41st anniversary on this day in music.
Releases
1977: Legendary British singer-songwriter and musician Peter Gabriel releases his first studio solo album, simply titled "Peter Gabriel."
It is often nicknamed “Car,” based on the cover art by famous design house Hipgnosis, to distinguish it from Gabriel's next three solo albums, all of which are also titled “Peter Gabriel.” The car in question being Hipgnosis's founder Storm Thorgerson's 1974 Lancia 2000.
In 1986, Gabriel would change his album title pattern to two-letter titles, with the next five releases of original rock and roll studio material named "So," (1986) "Us," (1992) "Up," (2002), "I/O" (2023) and “O\I” forthcoming in 2026. His alternate-recordings, live albums, and soundtrack records have otherwise descriptive titles.
After Gabriel's departure from Genesis in 1975 he took a break to spend time with his family, then went back to writing music later in 1976, contacting producer Bob Ezrin to work with him on his first solo project.
"Peter Gabriel" was recorded primarily at The Soundstage in Toronto, and features as supporting musicians Robert Fripp of King Crimson, and Tony Levin, also of King Crimson and many other projects, who has appeared on every Gabriel original album and tour since.
Gabriel has commented that he feels the LP is somewhat over-produced, but was overall happy with the results. A change from Gabriel’s contribution to the songs of Genesis, the record is a collection of shorter numbers, mostly ranging from three to five minutes in length.
Lead single “Solsbury Hill,” partially the story of his decision to leave Genesis, has become one of PG's most famous songs. Being autobiographical in nature, it was also a departure from his Genesis-era lyrical content.
The record is much more than that single, however, with several tracks becoming fan favourites and regularly performed at his concerts to this day, including "Modern Love," "Humdrum," and "Here Comes the Flood."
Warmly received by critics and fans alike, it is certified Gold in the U.S. and the U.K., and has sold just under one million copies worldwide. It reached No. 38 on the Billboard 200 and No. 7 on the U.K. Albums list. It’s appropriately rated A by Entertainment Weekly, 5-Stars by Sound, and 9/10 by Classic Rock. This is an excellent album!
1972: English singer-songwriter Nick Drake releases his third studio album, the classic "Pink Moon." Sadly, this would be Drake's final studio album due to his death of an apparent accidental overdose of amitriptyline, an antidepressant, in November of 1974 at only 26 years old.
With songs inspired by Drake's ongoing battle with depression, it is a sparse collection, with all songs comprising only Nick's voice and his guitar, and a piano melody on the title track.
The only record of Drake's to be released in North America during his lifetime, it earned universal acclaim from critics. Rolling Stone rated it 5-Stars, with Pitchfork and Spin assigning it a 10/10 grading. Not untypical for singer-songwriters, the album didn't chart, but it nonetheless has its following, is certified Gold in the U.K., and is regularly discussed among great albums in online audiophile forums.
1985: Tears for Fears release their second studio album, the wonderful "Songs from the Big Chair."
After the success of their No. 1 debut, "The Hurting," in 1983, the duo was under pressure to deliver. Rather than attempt to mimic their first record, they followed their songwriting inspirations and wrote a more guitar-driven, rock-oriented album, with sophisticated arrangements and a wider variety of stylistic influences. This came in stark contrast to the moody and introspective synth-pop of the prior release.
Critics embraced the album, with AllMusic compiling a 4.5-Star rating, and Record Collector giving it a full 5-Star review. Fans also enjoyed the album, sending it to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Canada RPM Albums Chart, and No. 2 on the U.K. Albums Chart. It was certified 7x Platinum in Canada, 5x Platinum in the U.S., and 3x Platinum in the U.K., with global sales of the album now just under ten million.
The second single, "Shout," reached No. 1 in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, a rare feat for a track in excess of six minutes long, as did the third single, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." "Head Over Heels," the fourth single from the LP, reached the Top-10, with its highest position being No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Songs from the Big Chair" is more than just its singles, however. Every track on the album is excellent, and they combine to create one of the best albums made in the eighties.
The Daily Elvis
1969: Elvis releases the single "Memories," a song written by Billy Strange and Mac Davis especially for Elvis to perform on his TV special, Elvis, which was aired by NBC on December 3, 1968, and colloquially referred to as 1968 Comeback Special. The song would reach No. 7 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Pictured: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears in 2023.
