SO

After the dark claustrophobic mood and rhythm of the preceding releases, Gabriel went into an entirely different direction. The tribal beats are still present but they operate in an entirely different sonic environment. So has a lush resonance, full of rich instrumentation, funky vibes and bright and slick sounds. It's not just a pop album; it's the perfect pop album, one of the best ever.

While it isn't as unique as Security, it has equally amazing songwriting. Regardless whether it concerns melancholic anthems like Red Rain, That Voice Again, In Your Eyes and Mercy Street, or MTV hits such as Sledge Hammer and Big Time, a sentimental duet with Kate Bush or more experimental pieces like We Do What We're Told and This is the Picture; Gabriel pulls if all off with amazing easy, never faltering, never missing a beat.

He must have had one brilliant flash of inspiration after the other during this recording. Not only did he nurture every single idea that crossed his mind with the utmost care, he also managed to keep things to the point and effective. Quite an achievement given the extensive list of guest musicians that helped to flesh out the sound.

This album is a marvel of song arrangement; it's varied and lavish but it stays clear of pretentiousness. Yes it's accessible, commercial and successful. Three words that tend to sit unpleasantly with fans, but let that not scare you; it fully deserves all praise and success it ever got. 4 solid stars