SO

Now I'm certainly not saying there's anything wrong with being able to appeal to a large audience, but the convention that's usually needed to work with that runs a high risk of making the music into a rut.

'So' is actually more mainstream than most mainstream music; dance-infused upbeat pop with the occasional exotic 'influence' to spice things up a bit... While I can appreciate that the album is fairly old, the music feels incredibly dated; much more so than even Gabriel's works with early Genesis over a decade before the release of this album.

There are a few songs here that are enjoyable from a general songwriting standpoint, and it's clear that this is not a half-baked project; there are brass sections here and guest vocalists; but none of it is used in a way that hasn't been heard before. On the other hand, there are songs here such as the overly sappy 'Don't Give Up' that I can barely make it through a single listen without being annoyed.

Personally, I cannot stand the album save for perhaps 'Red Rain' and 'Sledgehammer,' but for those absolutely rabid for Gabriel, there may be more appreciation from their standpoint. I find this very dissapointing, especially from a man who once fronted the leading band in progressive, innovative music.

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