MAMA

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'Mama' - Genesis (Single)

Having declared that the studio itself was now an instrument for the band, Genesis proves that point with this single. It is generally accepted that while the band may have been at their commercial peak during the 1980s, they had lost alot of the charm and appeal they once had when Peter Gabriel was fronting the group. While their self-titled album was an uninspired disaster in my books, 'Mama' was one of the few songs on that album that seemed to stand out from it's peers in terms of quality and attractiveness.

While certainly not matching up to a truly 'great' Genesis track by any stretch, 'Mama' is one of the better tracks from this era in the band's career. Here, Phil Collins' trademark drum technique can be heard; not necessarily in the way he plays, but in the way it is translated in the studio. The song (a martial, percussive anthem) is driven by the drum track; engineered to sound like nothing would be heard in nature. To some extent, those who are familiar with industrial music might hear something familiar with the sound here. Admittedly, the track does build up very well, going from a single rhythm into a somewhat epic finale. However, over the course of the seven minutes, the musical theme remains more or less the same, which leads to it being a track you won't necessarily want to put on repeat.

The b-side here 'It's Gonna Get Better' is more or less forgettable. There are interesting instrumental arrangements in sections, however the apparent 'chorus' of the song is not catchy or interesting in the slightest, defeating the purpose entirely.

Certainly not a slice of the band's career I would want to use to introduce someone to this group, but compared to alot of the other material Genesis did under the front of Phil Collins, this is the lesser of two evils.

Two tracks from the eponymous Genesis album (1983). First the flip side: 'It's Gonna Get Better' is a pop ballad and one of the most frogettable songs on the album, quite repetitive if I remember right. But 'Mama' is an extremely intensive song I would call a classic. Built on a heavy drum machine rhythm, it weaves a nightmarish atmosphere. Phil's frantic "HA-ha...ha... oooh" shouts are awesome. Also the doomy synths are unlike anything else Genesis have done. It still worked pretty well in their concerts this Millennium.

I'm not sure if the protagonist (the final lines are "no no, don't go! Mama mama don't go!") is meant to be a fetus in mother's womb, but that's the image I get. And it begs her not to go to the doctor to kill him. Frightening! Interesting to think that the same band (but with a very different line-up) did 'Knife' in 1970.