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It seems that most people find this the weakest of his albums; I disagree. Its small, minimalistic songs are better than the bloated productions on his first album, and these songs are much more emotional/personal. I like the shortness of the songs, the compressed feeling of them, and even though the songs sometimes can sound rather dated, they still have a great punchy or quiet atmosphere. I find it to be better than PGI AND PGIII. Inferior to PGIV, naturally, but which album isn't, right? Right?

This is the album where we learned compassion for our unbreakable idol. With songs like ' Flotsam and Jetsam' and 'Home Sweet Home' Peter shoewd us his 'softer' even 'pitiable' side. Probably springs from self doubt, about himself and his career at the time. A little underproduced by Robert Fripp ( and a little 'hurried' according to PG) but definitely a 'keeper'. Two thumbs up from the DOGG.

Without doubt one of his best albums!!

I don't really have a favourite PG album - I love them all for what they are and each one can be the best depending on my mood. I have always loved PG2 from first listen, and I don't understand why so many people dislike it. There are some great songs on there (Mother of Violence, White Shadow, Flotsam and Jetsam), and even the weaker tracks (Animal Magic, Perspective) I rarely skip in multi-album shuffles. I even love the production, and I don't care what anyone - even Peter himself - says about it. Sure, it doesn't sound like any of his other albums, but no two PG albums sound alike anyway, and it's nice to have one "rushed" album in the mix considering how very un-rushed the rest of them are. :-] PG2 has a unique and intensely dark atmosphere to it, and something about it that I can't quite put my finger on comforts me. Even though I hadn't even been born yet when it came out and I only first heard it a little over a year ago, it reminds me of home, the house I grew up in, and makes me feel secure. Very strange indeed, especially considering how "unsettling" the music itself is. I guess I'm just weird - well, that's not news. :-]

After Peter left Genesis, I was certain I would never speak his traitorous name again - - naaah, just kidding. But, honestly, I didn't take an interest in Peter's music again until the shit really started hitting the fan, and so to speak, and when San Jacinto emerged (pg4, I think) - whoa baby baby. After that, Peter was my main bitch. Just thought I'd share that uninterested bit of trivia there with ya, kitty kitty. milk? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-2065ORebo

I think that it is his weakest album, mainly due to the poor production (courtesy of Robert Fripp, who should stick to playing guitars). Still there are wonderful songs, and as a whole the album is better than any lesser mortals' entire careers.

The production definetely sounds very simple and dated, and makes the album inaccessable. It took me many moons to see through it. However, the rewards were plentiful. However, I think the production adds to the staying power of the album - a more elaborate production would probably interfere with some of the simpler songs tight structure.