Since his departure from Genesis, Peter Gabriel has crafted a very successful career blending his slight, anguished voice with studio sorcery and a bevy of world-music influences. However, Us does very little to build a case for his artistic growth during the six years that separate it from the commercial milestone of So. During the hiatus, Gabriel's marriage broke up, which undoubtedly contributes to the self-consciousness and introspection that permeate the album. The pop psychology of "Love to Be Loved" and "Washing of the Water" is overwrought. The exotic instrumentation on "Come & Talk to Me" seems intrusive and contrived. "Steam" and "Kiss the Frog" lighten the tone, but, as good-natured rockers, they are no matches for "Sledgehammer" or "Big Time." The production values and supporting players are of the highest order, but, with this material, Gabriel comes across as hypersensitive. Except for die-hard fans, Us is So-lite. --Rob Stewart
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