Peter Gabriel 4: Security

This was the album on which Peter Gabriel really broke through as a solo artist, particularly in the U.S., with the single “Shock the Monkey” — an early example of a song whose success was owed significantly to a compelling MTV video. Interestingly, this album was one of the first fully digital recordings, and its clean sonic surfaces contrast nicely with the dark, dense, and often organic-sounding elements of songs like “San Jacinto” and “The Family and the Fishing Net.” There is also an exciting juxtaposition of joy and despair throughout the album, creating an unusually rich listening experience.