Thoughts on Duke

I prefer the Tar Heels

Yeah I know. Back in the seventies there were FM stations that would play full albums late at night plus live feeds. Some albums ran under 45 minutes such as Animals and some Gentle Giant records.I even remember hearing long songs like Supper's Ready but those glory days are gone  

Duke's Travels/Dukes End are proggy, but they've never really done anything for me.  They're prog, but not necessarily good prog.

Misunderstanding is truly wretched.  It's not even one of their better pop songs.  It amazes me that a drummer could write a song so rhythmically static.

Whether the rest of the album is prog depends, I guess, on your definition of progressive.  Carefully crafted songs that relay a story--or meaning deeper than cloying love songs for a teenage audience--are progressive in my mind.  Behind the Lines is a wonderful prog anthem, and Man of Our times and Cul-De-Sac contain some great instrumental playing.  I'm also partial to Turn it on Again.  What can I say: I have soft spot for drummers counting out time at the beginning of a song.

I think the reason why so many progheads dislike Duke is the slick 80s sound of the album and not the songwriting itself.  I certainly like Phil's actual playing over the drum machine, but it doesn't necessarily ruin songs for me.  Tony's synthesizers sound thin, but he has always explored new keyboard sounds.  Going back through the Genesis catalogue, I'm struck by how relatively little accoustic piano playing is found on their albums--the opening of a Firth of Fifth notwithstanding. 

Well, I don't care for Phil's vocal stylings on Heathaze.  The emotions he pours into some of the verses don't seem to match the lyrics--at least in my head.  For example, what's that bit about feeding the ducks instead supposed to mean?  Phil tries to pack an emotional punch into that line, but it just falls flat to me.

Ok, this is entirely subjective, but here's my analysis

I see your point.  The lyrics don't work for me, personally, because of the way they  mix realistic writing and metaphors and because of the shifting perspectives.  It sounds clumsy to me, but that doesn't mean it's objectively flawed.

Heathaze was written by Banks, which might explain the shifting perspectives.

One of my personal favorites. Awesome production and atmosphere for the time IMO.

I'm hoping my copy of Duke will be in tomorrow's post.

I like "Misunderstanding". The video is funny with them in Hawaiian shirts. Goofy and funny at the same time.

Rednight wrote: ^And shot for a few shekels up in Hollywood.

With impressive rain special effects!