10. Scratch My Back (2010)

Scratch My Back was ultimately a wasted opportunity. The premise was charming enough: Gabriel would cover some of his favorite songs with the help of an orchestra; in return, each covered artist would return the favor (or “scratch Gabriel’s back,” so to speak) by covering one of his songs. Though a few artists did pay their due respects (including Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, with his spirited take on “Come Talk To Me”), the “I’ll Scratch Yours” sequel was mostly a wash-out. Meanwhile, Scratch My Back is Gabriel’s patchiest, fussiest album to date: John Metcalfe’s splendid orchestral arrangements often don’t fit the material (as in the lethargic rendition of Paul Simon’s “The Boy In The Bubble”), and the plodding, drunken stalker take on Radiohead’s “Street Spirit” is arguably the low point in Gabriel’s entire catalog. All told, Scratch My Back is a noble yet unsatisfying experience.