So is a dichotomy. On one hand it is a pop record with massive hooks. On the other hand, it is a nuanced prog-pop album that features sonic choices that challenge the listener to re-imagine what a song could be. I’m not sure if there’s been album that has walked the tightrope between artistic integrity and mainstream appeal so adeptly than Peter Gabriel’s So. It truly is a masterpiece from that perspective
As one of the pioneers of avante-garde rock, Gabriel’s prog bonafides are undeniable. His stint in Genesis (which will certainly be covered in a future installment) was cut short as Gabriel went out to pursue world music and artistic expression on the fringes. His fifth studio album So takes that exploratory inspiration and contorts it into mainstream focus. It feels like a natural evolution, and while Gabriel himself may not wholly agree, was the pinnacle of his artistic output from my perspective.
This album wants for nothing, providing complexity and sophistication garnished with a tidy bow. There are countless iconic moments here– the grainy vocals on “Red Rain”, the nuclear bomb of a bass line on “Sledgehammer”, the thick piano synths of “In Your Eyes”, the haunting duet refrain featuring the legendary Kate Bush on “Don’t Give Up”, the dramatic build of “Mercy Street”. It should be considered a massive success for just one of these to be found on this album. The fact nearly each song has that moment makes it even more rewarding.
And what more can he said about the percussion— Jerry Marotta and Manu Katché are the backbone of this entire record, bringing worldbeat flourishes and all the iconic gated reverb your ears can handle to set the mood of each song perfectly. This is one of the best percussion albums of the last 40 years. Not many albums come close.
This is one of my favorite records of all-time, a surefire must-listen. It is everything that is right with 80’s music, hell, everything that is right with music in general. It is an absolute gem.
Standout Songs: “Sledgehammer”, “In Your Eyes”, “Mercy Street”, “Red Rain”
