Music review: Peter Gabriel – 鈥楢nd I鈥檒l Scratch Yours鈥�
Back in 2010, Peter Gabriel released an album of uncommon covers from the likes of David Bowie, Neil Young, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire and others.
鈥淪cratch My Back鈥� was Gabriel鈥檚 first studio album in eight years and was originally intended to be issued as a two-part song swap. For the companion album, 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l Scratch Yours,鈥� the artists covered by the former Genesis frontman were to return the favor and perform their noteworthy interpretations of selected Gabriel arrangements.
After a three-year delay, listeners finally get the opportunity to experience the final
measure of Gabriel鈥檚 musical vision. Even with the absence of Bowie and Young, 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l Scratch Yours鈥� contains some eye and ear opening offerings.
David Byrne kicks off the album with a pulsating take of 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Remember.鈥� Byrne鈥檚 engaging falsetto replaces the desperation of not remembering with jovial enthusiasm. Arcade Fire鈥檚 performance of 鈥淕ames Without Frontiers鈥� sticks closely to the original with a sterile and robotic tone. Bon Iver鈥檚 intriguing banjo opening sparks a spirited and stripped-down version of 鈥淐ome Talk to Me.鈥�
Lou Reed is simply being himself with a disconcerting offering of 鈥淪olsbury Hill,鈥� while Paul Simon plays it straight with his acoustic version of 鈥淏iko.鈥� Randy Newman steals the show with his sarcastic flavorings on 鈥淏ig Time.鈥�
The numerous musical directions followed by the artists on 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l Scratch Yours鈥� create a compelling collection of complicated and complex songs.
It鈥檚 unfortunate that the two albums weren鈥檛 released simultaneously as originally planned. Both penetrating pieces must be wholly absorbed in their entirety to be fully appreciated.