SHIPWRECKED

In 1997 Genesis released their last album to date, Calling All Stations. This album is unique in that it is the only Genesis album with Ray Wilson on vocals. Three singles were released from the album and all of these singles had non-album b-sides; in total eight tracks that are not available anywhere else (with the exception of three tracks that later appeared on the extra disc on the last remasters box set). Collectively, I have learned, these tracks go under the name "The Ray Wilson Lost Tracks". Recently, when the entire Genesis back catalogue was re-mastered and re-released in boxed sets with an extra disc of non-album material in each, they passed on the chance to make all of these Ray Wilson-era b-sides available even there - and maybe for good reason?

The present single contains two b-sides, Phret and 7/8. Both of these are instrumentals and after searching for these tracks for some time, I must say that I am rather disappointed. I belong to those who actually like Calling All Stations and I consider this album to be better than some Genesis albums from the 80's, but the non-album songs that are found here are far behind the material that made it onto the album. Phret is a slow keyboard dominated tune with discrete drums, both real and drum machine. While by no means bad as such, it is hardly exciting. At best it would function as an interlude or mood-setter, but there is nothing here for it to set the mood to which makes it fall rather flat. 7/8 does not help things much even if it is instrumentally a bit more diverse with discrete guitar and piano lines. Moderately pleasant, but totally unremarkable.

The a-side, Shipwrecked, is a ballad that I find quite enjoyable, but it is not the best song from Calling All Stations.

Needless to say, this is - almost by definition - only for fans and collectors.

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