This album has received some negative reviews, because people are making the mistake of comparing it to Passion, which is Peter Gabriel's musical masterpiece and a setter of impossibly high standards. Long Walk Home is a much smoother, less eclectic work which really can be listened to as background music (not a bad thing). It flows consistently and constantly in a way no other Gabriel soundtrack does, and if that means a little dedicated listening to discern the subtle variations and changes, then so be it. Just like Reign in Blood, Roots and Awake, you have to make an investment to tease out the hidden treasures of what at first listen may appear to be a uniform mass.
Jigalong, Running to the Rain, The Recapture of Gracie, The Return and the closing Cloudless are the standouts, each possessed of a truly shiver-inducing melody, and the interim pieces connect perfectly. There is no weak link here whatsoever (the same cannot be said of Passion, Birdy, or Ovo). The recycling of the melody of 'The Nest that Sailed the Sky', from the Ovo album, is the only questionable moment, but it still fits in seamlessly, of course.
A definite grower. Do not believe the hacks in the music press, who doubtless have listened to this beautiful record once, comprehensively missed the point and awarded it a low mark out of five/ten (a childish way to judge art in any case) - trust your own ears, and let Long Walk Home work its slow, gentle magic on you. The rewards will be immense.