A TRICK OF THE TAIL

For a band in a time of uncertainty (as Peter Gabriel had just departed and drummer Phil Collins had taken over role as lead vocalist) this is an absolute masterpiece. From the top: The sleeve attracts you straight away, with old fashioned sketches of almost fairytale like characters, with the lyrics written inside the gatefold sleeve in old-fashioned text. Opening track is the nightmarish "Dance on a volcano" (the first Genesis track written without Peter Gabriel) with Phil singing about climbing a volcano over Tony Banks' Mellotron, and a strange time signature, "Let the dance begin" shouts Phil towards the end and the whole piece turns into well contructed chaos. Then we are given a moment to calm down, as this is followed by the beautiful "Entangled" with chiming 12-string guitars and more haunting choir-like mellotrons, Phil sings like he's trying to send a child to sleep (think that's what it's about). This is followed by "Squonk" another interesting tune about an ugly creature who constantly weeps. Then "Mad man moon" comes, another Tony Banks piece with some excellent playing and more mood switching. Next up "Robbery, assault & battery" a strange tune about a guy robbing a safe, but with more outstanding playing Notably from Banks & Collins. Another beautiful tune follws this "Ripples", again with massed 12-string guitars, and tinkling piano. Then the title track, a marching piano tune and bizarre lyrics about a creature leaving home and discovering men - strange creatures "they've got no horns & they've got no tails, they don't even know of our existence!" interesting. All of these great tunes are wrapped up by "Los Endos" a final reprise containing many themes from the album (may recognise it from the Live shows). Okay I'm waffling, but if you are a prog fan with any imagination at all, every song on this album will paint a picture for you. Buy this, you will NOT be dissapointed.