I’ve finally taken the time to carefully digest Peter Gabriel’s UP album. My friend Ned (who, incidentally, has cleverly programmed his cellphone with the Wallace & Gromit theme song so I have to appreciate his musical taste) lamented the lack of originality in this body of work, and I have to agree. I do like the album. But Gabriel put us in the unfortunate circumstance of having to wait ten years for a new solo album. What I’ve got in my CD player is something that he could have released a year or two after “Us.” Back then I’d be more excited about it. I’m not the best judge of Peter Gabriel, having arrived late to an appreciation for the depths of his music, and I’m spoiled by my #1 rock hero, David Bowie, chameleoning through his entire career. So perhaps I shouldn’t expect more than another usual Peter Gabriel album. This one is more than decent. He knows the sounds he likes, and he layers them on with vigor. The only problem is, as Ned says, “haven’t I heard this entire album before?” It’s variations on familiar themes, propelled along by a few good bass grooves. (read the BBC review; it’s better informed and more forgiving plus, it mentions John Cusack)