INDIO, The Boston Globe, Burrelle's, © Aug. 10, 1989 by Michael Dowding
BIG HARVEST, A&M
Dipping into the world-beat rhythms popularized by Peter Gabriel and the world-politic vision of Sting, Indio weaves a rich, deep debut. The brainchild of Gordon Peterson -- who handles vocals, guitar, keyboards and some percussion -- the album explores such topics as the working class and environment and human isolation. Each song is a microcosm of these themes, whether it's the personal bitterness of the aging sailor in "Life Lies Down" or the allegory of "Big Harvest." Connecting the songs is a pervasive Afro-percussion beat. Peterson's vocal style is obviously indebted to Gabriel, perhaps too much so. Nonetheless, his etheral voice can be distinctive, particularly on the single, "Hard Sun," where a choir that includes Joni Mitchell chimes in for a large, open sound. This album is a work of intelligence, meticulous production, and stellar musicianship.