A TRICK OF THE TAIL

I do happen to find Wind & Wuthering a masterpiece.And maybe because I came across it before ever hearing A Trick Of the Tail,the latter always sounded to me...an inferior work of art.And let me point out just where does this album is spoiled to my ears:the band's(much particulary Collins')struggle to create music that could match what their gone frontman wrote is so unbelievably apparent and clear to anyone willing to hear,that it takes away a nice shair of the songs' shining brightness.Don't take me wrong:most of the material presented here is excellent music by all means,but there's simply the feeling that they are trying too hard.By the time Wind & Wuthering saw the light of day,Genesis was probably more secure of themselves,what(alongside with Steve Hackett's much larger share of credits and space in the band)contributed to a very singular album.Nevertheless,one simply cannot deny that A Trick Of the Tail(if not so comprimising)contains some of the finest Banks compositions we have knowledge of.

Dance On A Volcano,pointed out by many as a remarkable rescue of the Gabriel era sounding,seems to me exactly the opposite:one of the points in the album where the whole group is more developed and free of the hauting charges the previous singer left over them.It may take a while to aprecciate this song entirely,but once it hits you,it becomes a very impressive opener and overall a great composition.Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins are outstanding in bass and percussion throughout the recording,and this is sensed since the very beggining of the opening number.It's worth pointing out that Phil as the new singer doesn't leaves much to be desired,that meaning that he could not possibly take charge for the apparently unreplaceable gap Peter left in the band.

Entangled may be the most interesting song present on this album,a rare acoustic highlight with a powerfull chorus and verses that complete the beautifull work of Hackett.Squonk follows,an expressively weaker piece that echoes all through the album,enjoyable but somewhat empty of depht...and strangely...boring(sorry everyone),despite the very nice bass/drums leadership.

As for Mad Mad Moon,what a perfectly touching and lovely symphonic prog piece...except for the fact that,here,Peter Gabriel's absence is screaming out loud.So noble is Collins attempt to sound as charismatic as his former bandmate,this piece will unfortunately never escape the shadow of past glories for me.But being perfectly fair(after all I'll not judge the album after my personal impressions),there is absolutely nothing wrong with this fine piece of prog.

Robbery,Assault & Battery,on the other hand...doesn't sound like anything made by Genesis,before or after it.Let me make myself clearer:this is a bad song.Period.Someone is clearly trying to make something in the fashion of Harrold the Barrel or Get'em Out By Friday,but the lyrics/music relation (suposed to be the song's strongest factor)is simply ridiculous,specially at the chorus.Curiously enough,I constantly find myself with it stucked in my head,for this is a catchy tune.The problem is it's absolutley out of place,and as far as musical avaliatons go,this is a cheesy song,one that I'm quite honestly pretty sure would be hated if it was released on albums post Hackett departure.

Ripples brings back some of the new band's idendity,that is,softer and mellower.I do love the lyrics and find the verses particulary touching,although it took me a good while to get used to the somehow pop- reminding chorus(and I'm doing my best not to sound arrogant).

The title track is,along with Entangled,the song that lifts up the album for me.And please focus on this last sentence,this is only my personal opinion,after all this is usually considered a low point.I just LOVE the lyric/verse and melody co-relation,and the chorus express very vividly and subtely the feel of this album.Los Endos closes the recording as an interesting overture,well thought-off and very apropriate.

Some may have noticed,I like A Trick Of the Tail for all the wrong reasons.It is probably my least favourite 'prog-Genesis' album.As far as song writting goes,Genesis were definetly not out of shape,and they delivered another album full of stunningly beautifull compositions.The one star I'm taking away reflects the fact that unlike Wind & Wuthering,Gabriel is deeply missed at points.But the moments when he is not make the is album so much worth listening to.