A TRICK OF THE TAIL

As everyone knows : this is the first outing without the legend P. Gabriel. And I suspect that some fans automatically class this one under the 5-star-mark, because of that alone... Well, it is their right, but... Some of the hundreds of posts here go for the perfect score anyway ! Is it worth ? My strong answer is YES !

This CD is perfectly symphonic prog, one of the very best ever, with all the characteristics. In my view, it is equalling SEBTP, Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme, as the best from Genesis, in the prog-world (Inv. Touch would be the counterpart in the pop-world ... ).

'Dance on a Volcano' and 'Robbery, assault & battery' are much complex tracks, with a music so difficult to reproduce by any group, lots of tempo variations, power and fun. 'Squonk' and 'Los Endos' also generate lots of power and energy (by the way, it is amplified in the new remix version !!). The title track is very entertaining, funny, still proggy, very well constructed and original. So, everyone is, up to now, excellent. But, my favorites ones are the other three... 'Entangled' is soft, but very melodic; the guitar and keyboard plays are amazing, very artistic and going increasing in emotions. Superb. 'Mad man moon' is one of the best single track by Genesis, ever ! Complex musical scheme, present at the start and the end, fragmented by a gorgeous 7/8 episode, more energic and... a reference. Also most superb. 'Ripples' has a more pop segment (the refrain), but the center diversion is another typical complex and musically perfect example. Quite soft, but with the fantastic center solo and impro. Again, mostly superb.

We all know what routes were coming on Genesis... It is bad that could not attain this super-prog quality in some subsequent CD's (let's say : from Duke and on...).

A very solid 5, even if Gabriel was not on it.