PETER GABRIEL So

(Geffen)

by Jim Farber

Let’s begin judging this album by its cover. It’s the first Peter Gabriel sleeve in history where he doesn’t insist on looking like something David Cronenberg’s cat dragged in. Instead of acting the rock monster, Peter now comes to us au natural. Likewise, the wax inside the sleeve presents the warmest and— dare-l-say-it?—most human Gabriel to date. Songwise, it’s his catchiest and most accessible platter since the first. And instrumentally, it’s got more rhythmic heat than ever before.