UP

I have been going back and reviewing some of my favorite progressive albums down through the ages, and Up is one of those classic albums that still excites me when I listen to it. I can't give the album 5 stars because I think that the work continued to evolve after its release through live performance, remixes, and the like, but it is a solid 4 stars. I hope that there is an Up boxset one day that explores this album in more depth, as many of the songs have several alternate mixes that really change the character of the songs, plus the band that toured the album was top notch, and the songs took on their own life in the live setting as well.

The album kicks off with the dark, King Crimson-esque "Darkness." How a song can be so brutal and beautiful at the same time...it is startling. The dark edge is present through the entire album, mostly thanks to the playing of guitarist David Rhodes, but also thanks to the programming and keys by Gabriel.

There is some light on the album also. "More Than This" is a sparkling single, and "Sky Blue" has the Blind Boys of Alabama providing some incredible, joyful background vocals.

But it's the darkness, typified by the closing track, "Signal to Noise," that intoxicates. I really think that Up is the pinnacle of Gabriel's solo career, and if a deluxe version of Up is ever released (with the original mix of "Signal to Noise," the Martin Bennet remix of "Sky Blue," live version of "Darkness" from the Growing Up Tour , the Up version of "Burn You Up Burn You Down" and other tasty treats) it will probably earn a fifth star from me. Some people say Gabriel killed the album with his attention to detail and reluctance to finish it. I would encourage him to mess about with it some more.