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Genesis - Wind & Wuthering CD (album) cover

WIND & WUTHERING

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.11 | 2230 ratings

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lazland
Prog Reviewer
4 stars This is a fine album, and, judging by the reviews of the later Collins era LPs, most consider this to be the last essential Genesis LP (I might rattle a few cages when I review them, then!).

It is a classic of symphonic prog and the most glorious example of the wall of sound that this band made their own that exists out there. It is very much a Banks & Hackett LP and shines as a result. Whilst it is true that extra songwriting credits were given to Hackett to placate him or keep him in the band, the work itself does not suffer.

Nearly each and every song on this LP is a winner. Eleventh Earl of Mar conjures medieval chivalry and Collins really does surprise when he reveals just how loud and passionately he can sing. One for the Vine is a prog essential, one of the finest tracks the band ever recorded. It is such a thoughtful piece of music, with Banks especially moving with his quiet keyboards and Collins telling a story of an accidental demagogue. Genesis had returned, after The Lamb, to telling stories people could easily relate to with this and Trick of the Tail. The stories are also no less effective.

You Have Your Own Special Way is, to many people, the ultimate heresy - a charming pop song that bears no relation to pure prog at all. It is for this reason, I know, that many fans loathe the Collins era and certainly later LPs - but I will pose a thoughtful question - just because it is pop, does this make it bad? Absolutely not - this is a fine track with excellent guitar work from both Rutherford & Hackett and it moves happily along. Not all pop, or indeed rock, is bad because it doesn't last ten minutes and feature a mellotron blast!

I usually skip Wot Gorilla these days as it doesn't hold my interest very much, and it is this that reduces the LP to four rather than five stars. It does, however, feature Collins demonstrating what a fine drummer he is.

All in a Mouse's Night is silly, but fun and superbly played, again featuring a band musically confident and creating beautiful surround sound textures. Blood on the Rooftops is the one track that makes me weep that Hackett ever left - it really is excellent and gives a hint of his later, progressive, solo work. Collins treats the story with great sympathy, and the guitar work is stunning.

Unquiet Slumbers...and ..Quiet Earth were split to give Hackett additional writing credits and they feature the band playing tightly and progressively. The latter leads in to the most gorgeous keyboard note and one of my favourite Genesis tracks, Afterglow. Banks, who wrote it, shines with loud backing keyboards, Collins fairly thunders the drum kit at the end, and the guitar and bass accompany a perfect love song brilliantly. Oh, and Collins sings it fantastically. It is a great track, and deservedly still a favourite live.

This is a fantastic LP, and I would, if I had the chance, award it 4.5 stars, but an essential addition to any serious progressive rock collection. Don't be put off by the fact it doesn't feature Gabriel.

lazland | 4/5 |

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