OVO [Enhanced]

OVO is the soundtrack to the Millennium Show, a spectacular acrobatic performance which is the centrepiece of the Millennium Dome in London. To hear the music without experiencing the incredible aerial extravaganza in The Dome, produced with rock stage designer Mark Fisher, is perhaps to only appreciate half of the artwork. Despite a cynical reception from the notorious British press, The Dome in my opinion is an amazing achievement Britons should be proud of. It has some touching and deeply profound statements expressed in the architecture and artworks within.

I therefore like to think of OVO as a soundtrack, because my memories are intertwined with images of the show. It was with this in mind that I purchased the CD, as you might want the soundtrack to a thought provoking film.

OVO was intended to celebrate the past, present and future of Britain and is based around the story of pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial society (what's to come).

The tracks reflect this and describe events in history such as the industrial revolution in 'Time of the Turning'. There are some beautiful phrases such as 'Did you see it move, it's in the very cloth that I weave' refering perhaps to the spark of genius in the weaving industry which started the whole industrial revolution. Intertwined with these stories of our nation's history are the sounds of the traditional and modern instruments of multicultural Britain from brass bands to indian pipes and electronic guitar.

All the songs, particularly those describing a optimistic future of harmony with machine and nature, are very reflective. They capture your moods with profound phrases and haunting solos. 'Downside up, upside down' for instance paints the scene of us moving from an inhuman age of machine and greed into that of harmony;'The only constant I am sure of, is this accelerating rate of change'.

My favourite lyric from the last track 'Make Tomorrow Today' could be the epitaph to the whole album, it says simply; 'what better measure of what you were doing here, than what you can leave behind'.

Peter has left behind a record of our culture, emotion, history and hopes for the next millennium at the end of the second.

Breathtaking.

Don't expect anything conventional from Peter Gabriel's latest CD. In the 8 years since "US" was released (1992), PG's periodic work has shown an evolutionary move from his early, experimental pop/rock to a fusion of pop and world music. This "soundtrack" to the UK's Millennium Dome show chronicles three generations of a single family in the midst of fundamental societal changes: the agricultural and industrial revolutions followed by an undetermined future. The music follows suit, emerging in a variety of styles and sounds, ranging from near-classical to ambient soundscapes. PG's vocals are featured on several of the tracks but he is joined by others on many. The hauntingly beautiful track, "Father/Son" is likely to get the most airplay. Another favorite selection is "The Time of the Turning," featuring vocals by Richie Havens. True to his past albums, this one pushes the envelope, creating altogether news sounds with the skill and artistry that have made PG a major force in music. PG fans won't be disappointed; newcomers will find SOMETHING worthwhile amidst the rich offerings. This is a great CD, making me impatient for the release of PG's upcoming album, "UP," later this year.

First of all I have to tell that Peter Gabriel is my favourite singer, because of his voice,for his romantic and personal music. Gabriel is not just "Sledgehammer" or "Biko". He is much more than this. Authentic Gabriel - besides Genesis - came in his first album, with masters Fripp and Levin support. OVO make part of his evolution, more than twenty years after his first job in his own and also eight years after US he has make the effort and who knows it will be the last one. I like the album but not just because it is Peter gabriel. Is energetic, romantic and powerful. Songs like today "Downside up" and "Make today tomorrow" are so romantic but at the same time they adquire some rythms with a lot of power. I have to remember that Gabriel is supported by Tony levin at the bass, Dave Rhodes at the guitar, and some others good musicians, specially Daniel Lanois or singer Richie Havens: I also like Elizabeth Fraser singing and Paul Buchanan. The opening song is also romantic and mystic and is full of faith and magic; The second one is sang by Richie Havens. It seems like Peter doesn't sing to much in this album and he appears like chorus or backing voice, but it's always Peter Gabriel and everything he touch turns magic. The album mix this romantic songs with some other instrumenal and not so deep songs. I also read the Story of OVO and it's peculiar and beautiful but the album is really personal and it sound is something that Gabriel didn't do before. That means he is always trying to improve himself, though he didn't appear during this eight years. I particulary like this album more than US, maybe because is the last job, but also I think is stronger than US. Has to be good because we always look the new jobs of our favourite artists making a comparation of what you liked before, but OVO is something new, different, something that you can not compare...and also is a Peter Gabriel work, which is an important credential, because it exists just one Peter Gabriel. Maybe we will remember some other songs (San Jacinto, Here comes the rain, Mercy Street, Wallflower, Solsbury Hill, Mother of Violence, Love to be loved, Fourteen black paintings, In yor eyes...)but OVO is also beautiful and means love for all US.