“More Than This” by Peter Gabriel
From the 2002 album Up

If you asked me to identify the progressive musician, in every sense of the word, it would not take me long to settle on Peter Gabriel. Not only was he one of the most definitive personalities in the original “prog” scene of the ’70s, but, in the decades since, he has perhaps succeeded more than any others in actually progressing. He has kept current, fresh, and distinctive throughout his 40-year career as a professional musician. His output has slowed, to be sure, but he has constantly pushed boundaries, all the while producing work that is as creative and challenging as it is accessible. And that’s a challenge in itself.

In the ’80s he added world music (most specifically African folk music) to his sound, and in the ’90s he added electronic music. He produced what was quite possibly the best album of 1986, and one of the most commercially successful, in So and in 2002 he defied all odds with a return every bit as compelling and forward-thinking as any album he had ever produced, at a time when most of his contemporaries were focused on cash-in reunion tours playing 30-year-old fan favorites for the 10,357th time.

Up is a brilliant album, and if it should be his last (which may well be the case), he’s leaving us on a high note. If you missed it when it came out 7 years ago, don’t wait any longer!