Peter Gabriel's first foray into soundtracks was for Alan Parker's contemplative film
Birdy and is a successful companion piece, providing a backdrop that is moody and evocative. Nearly half of the album's dozen tracks incorporate threads from material found on
Gabriel's 1982
Security set, including "Close Up," which makes use of keyboard passages from "Family Snapshot," and "The Heat," which is a reworking of "The Rhythm of the Heat" and builds to a frenzied percussive crescendo. Material specially written for this project includes the murky opening track, "At Night," the tribal "Floating Dogs," and "Slow Marimbas," a track that would become part of future live performances. The fact that
Birdy comprises all instrumentals means that listeners whose familiarity with
Gabriel is limited to "Sledgehammer" and "In Your Eyes" will be largely disappointed. However, its meditative nature makes it fine, reflective listening for the more adventurous. [In 2017,
Birdy was reissued in a two-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, remastered and playable at 45 rpm for optimal sound quality. A download card was also included.] ~ Tom Demalon