PETER GABRIEL - 2 Scratch British Progressive Rock Vinyl Album Gallery #vinylrecords

"Scratch" Album Description:

In the musical landscape of 1978, Peter Gabriel, the enigmatic former frontman of Genesis, released his second self-titled solo album, affectionately nicknamed "Scratch" by fans. Following his 1977 debut, "Scratch" solidified Gabriel's departure from his progressive rock roots, venturing into uncharted territories of sound and lyrical exploration.

Historical Context

Emerging amidst the post-punk era, "Scratch" resonated with a growing audience seeking music that challenged the status quo. Punk's raw energy and DIY ethos had shaken the foundations of the music industry, creating a fertile ground for experimentation and innovation. Gabriel, known for his theatrical stage presence and evocative songwriting during his time with Genesis, embraced this spirit of change.

Musical Exploration

"Scratch" is a sonic odyssey that defies easy categorization. The album's soundscapes are a tapestry of textures, ranging from the eerie ambiance of "On the Air" to the tribal rhythms of "D.I.Y." and the haunting melodies of "Mother of Violence." Gabriel's vocals are as versatile as ever, shifting from whispers to passionate cries, perfectly complementing the diverse musical arrangements.

Collaborating with producer Robert Fripp, renowned for his work with King Crimson, Gabriel assembled a talented ensemble of musicians, including bassist Tony Levin, guitarist Sid McGinnis, and drummer Jerry Marotta. The album was recorded at the state-of-the-art Townhouse Studios in London, where the team experimented with cutting-edge recording techniques to achieve their sonic vision.

Controversies

"Scratch" was not without its controversies. The album's stark black-and-white cover, designed by Hipgnosis, was deemed too dark and unsettling by some, while others found it perfectly captured the album's introspective and sometimes disturbing themes.

Lyrically, Gabriel delved into personal demons and societal anxieties, exploring topics like alienation, violence, and political unrest. The song "Exposure," co-written with Robert Fripp, was particularly unsettling, with its chilling soundscapes and cryptic lyrics.

Music Genre:

British Progressive Rock

Album Production Information:

The album: "PETER GABRIEL - 2 Scratch" was produced by: Robert Fripp

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Steve Short, Ed Sprigg, Michael Getlin, Steve Taylor

This album was recorded at: Relight Studios, Hilvarenbeek, Holland, The Hit Factory, New Ork City

Album cover design: Hipgnosis

Hipgnosis was an English art group founded in 1968 by Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, and Peter Christopherson. The group was known for their innovative and creative album covers, which became iconic in the music industry. Hipgnosis worked with some of the most influential musicians of their time, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Yes.

more...

The group's name, "Hipgnosis," was a play on the words "hypnosis" and "hip." They believed that their art had the power to hypnotize people and transport them to another world, which was reflected in their album covers. The group's style was surreal and often incorporated elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the occult. Their designs were highly detailed and often required extensive planning and preparation.

One of the group's most famous album covers was for Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." The cover featured a prism refracting light into a rainbow, which became one of the most recognizable images in rock history. The design was so successful that it became synonymous with the band and their music. Another iconic design was for Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy," which featured a group of naked children climbing on a rock formation. The image was highly controversial but helped to solidify the band's rebellious image.

Hipgnosis also worked with a number of other influential musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, and Genesis. They designed the cover for Peter Gabriel's first solo album, which featured a photograph of Gabriel wearing a mask with only his eyes visible. The image became another iconic design and was later referenced in Gabriel's music video for "Sledgehammer."

The group's success continued into the 1980s, with designs for bands such as Scorpions and Styx. However, the rise of digital technology and the decline of album sales led to the group's decline. Hipgnosis disbanded in 1983, but their legacy lives on in the countless album covers they created.

Hipgnosis was not just an art group, but a collective of artists who had a significant impact on the music industry. Their innovative designs helped to define the visual style of rock music in the 1970s and 1980s. Their work was not just a complement to the music, but an essential part of the overall experience. They created a world that fans could enter into and lose themselves in, just like the music they were listening to.

Here is a web-page with a gallery of album covers created by Hipgnosis

Record Label Information:

The Famous Charisma Label 9124 025

Album Packaging:This album "PETER GABRIEL - 2 Scratch" includes the original custom inner sleeve with complete lyrics of all songs in Gemran as well as booklet with lyrics in Englsih and artwork/photos

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1978 Made in West Germany

Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: PETER GABRIEL - 2 Scratch

Peter Gabriel – vocals; organ ; piano ; synthesizer
Tony Levin – bass guitar ; Chapman stick ; string bass ; recorder arrangements ; backing vocals
Sid McGinnis – electric guitar ; acoustic guitar ; steel guitar ; mandolin ; backing vocals
Larry Fast – synthesizer and treatments
Robert Fripp – electric guitar 0; acoustic guitar ; Frippertronics
Bayete – keyboards
Roy Bittan – keyboards
Jerry Marotta – drums 3; backing vocals
Tim Capello – saxophone
George Marge – recorders
John Tims – insects