Album Review: Peter Gabriel/Various ...And I'll Scratch Yours

26 September 2013 | 4:22 pm | Mac McNaughton

Arcade Fire’s swaggering take on Games Without Frontiers, Paul Simon’s informed refitting of Biko and Randy Newman’s sinister Big Time all rise above standard tribute-album fare.

Long delayed part II of a cultural exchange concept project started in 2010 with Scratch My Back, on which the one-time Genesis frontman covered 12 artists in orchestral style. The reciprocation has most subjects (except party poopers Bowie and Radiohead) returning the favour. Arcade Fire's swaggering take on Games Without Frontiers, Paul Simon's informed refitting of Biko and Randy Newman's sinister Big Time all rise above standard tribute-album fare. Magnetic Fields' Stephen Merritt channels the Human League, David Byrne funks and Brian Eno simply fucking terrifies highlighting Gabriel's darkness in enticing other lights.