By Ken Clarke
It’s been ten years since Peter Gabriel released his last solo album Us. Various world music projects and film soundtracks have occupied most of his time for the last decade, delaying the creation and release of his latest CD, Up. The resulting work was well worth the wait.
Up is a welcome return to the classic Gabriel sound. Complex rhythms and arrangements are married with an assortment of textures and thoughtful lyrics.
Long-time friends and band-mates are reunited on the album including bassist Tony Levin, and drummer Manu Katche. The late vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is featured on “Signal To Noise,” while other highlights include the infectious “Growing Up” and the trash-TV put-down “The Barry Williams Show.”
Up is an essential addition to any Peter Gabriel collection.