New Blood
by Peter Gabriel
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Oct 11, 2011
    90
    Nothing feels even remotely stale, and many of these tracks manage to actually improve upon their original counterparts--no small feat, considering the fact that these are some of the finest songs ever written.
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 15, 2011
    80
    New Blood again finds him working with a full orchestra, this time on selections from his own back catalogue. [Dec. 2011 p. 136]
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  3. Consequence
    Oct 21, 2011
    80
    The voices are interesting enough, but it's the lush instrumentation, arranged by Scratch Your Back's John Metcalfe, that is the key to New Blood's success.
  5. Blurt Magazine
    Oct 13, 2011
    80
    This is an elegant product of hard work and musicianship that shouldn't be dismissed because it is not entirely new material.
  6. BBC Music
    Oct 6, 2011
    80
    This album's a string-driven thing swinging between bravado and bleakness, and always beautiful.
  7. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 6, 2011
    80
    There is an avant garde boldness here that is, at times, quite amazing.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    Oct 25, 2011
    70
    Sure, the albums is filled with grand, sweeping sonic statements, but they seem to come from a place in extremely close proximity to the art-rock icon's heart. That's why it works.
  9. AllMusic
    Oct 14, 2011
    70
    New Blood isn't always as astonishing but that's fine.
  10. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Oct 10, 2011
    70
    Impressive rather than engaging.
  11. musicOMH.com
    Oct 10, 2011
    70
    New Blood has its moments, but it's hardly an essential purchase.
  12. Mojo
    Dec 22, 2011
    60
    A collection that will have both fans and floating voters scratching their heads. [Nov 2011, p.101]
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  13. PopMatters
    Oct 20, 2011
    60
    Though hardly essential, New Blood nevertheless features many fine performances, and there's room for the record to prove the true depth of its merits upon further listens.
  14. Uncut
    Oct 18, 2011
    60
    It suggests that, far from being a cynical piece of auto-karaoke, the bulk of this album is motivated more by art than nostalgia. [Nov 2011, p.82]
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  15. The Guardian
    Oct 6, 2011
    60
    Tense, brooding and often raw, the artist's world-wearied voice is cast off against a dramatic backdrop, the results not unlike a darker take on Elbow's experiment with the Hallé Orchestra.
  16. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 6, 2011
    60
    Due to the choice of material, the arrangements lean heavily towards the dramatic and angst-ridden--well, it is Peter Gabriel--with the sole recourse to mellow calm reserved for the undulating strings of "The Nest That Sailed the Sky".
  17. American Songwriter
    Oct 10, 2011
    40
    Despite two new numbers near the end of this album, New Blood feels, despite it's occasional avant-garde touches, like another holding pattern from an artist who has not been particularly prolific since his 80s commercial heyday.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. signal
    Oct 20, 2011
    10
    This is not your typical release where the artist chooses to redo old material with an orchestra in order to meet the demands of a musicThis is not your typical release where the artist chooses to redo old material with an orchestra in order to meet the demands of a music company.

    The songs are newly interpreted with an eye at breathing new life into what are a collection of great songs. The arrangements are carefully crafted and executed beautifully and powerfully. I strongly suggest this cd to anyone who has an appreciation for Peter Gabriel's music.    … Full Review »
  2. itsthearts
    Oct 11, 2011
    10
    If you lost touch with and interest in Peter Gabriel since his Big Hit 80s days and were hoping for a big "comeback" to the charts, this isn'tIf you lost touch with and interest in Peter Gabriel since his Big Hit 80s days and were hoping for a big "comeback" to the charts, this isn't for you. However, if you have been a fan of his musical journey since the Genesis days, and wondered what he had in store at his next stop, this is an inspiring production. As much as I love his work, I admit that I haven't gone out of my way to listen to his back catalog despite the many gems. The production work of the PG series of albums have grown tiresome for me after all these years. Maybe they did for Peter, too, because these orchestral versions are totally re-imagined,takes. Bigger, more dimensional, more complex, amazingly alive again.. If you've enjoyed the adventure of the ride with Peter, this is another memorable work! wep4… Full Review »
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