SO

Peter Gabriel's fifth rock studio album, "So," was his grand commercial breakthrough, making him a household name even among people who didn't know Genesis had a singer before Phil Collins. It was a true blockbuster, establishing Gabriel as a pop, rock, and video super-artist with mega-hits like "Sledgehammer" (dig that guitar line!), "Big Time," "Red Rain," and the ubiquitous slow dance song "In Your Eyes." But there was another side to "So": In addition to the radio-ready pop of the above-named tunes, the album also had a serious streak of artistry, particularly effective on dark, compelling cuts like the introspective, melancholy "Mercy Street" and the eerie, proto-industrial "We Do What We're Told." Together, this coherent combination of pop accessibility and legitimate artistic depth made "So" a smash unequaled in Gabriel's illustrious career. It is still often regarded as his greatest album (although a strong case can be made for its predecessor, the intense "Security").

Like all ten of the deluxe remasters in the recent Peter Gabriel reissue series, "So" is disappointingly without bonus tracks and substantial liner note essays. The improved sonics are truly excellent, however, and the nuanced performances of Gabriel's band sound rich and clear. Furthermore, the package features evocative artwork and lyrics. Such improvements in sonics and packaging may not make it worthwhile for casual fans to upgrade their old CD copy, but for fans of artsy pop who haven't yet discovered this brilliant disc, this new remaster is the best way yet to get the full experience.