A TRICK OF THE TAIL

The first album after the departure of Peter Gabriel is a very good work, although perhaps a little too melodic: you can feel here the first clear signs of what will be the band's style for years to come.

The big news of the record is, of course, the lead singer. The band decided not to replace Gabriel with a new member and assigns the role of lead singer to Phil Collins who demonstrates that he has a great vocal flexibility. The tone of Collins appears to be quite similar to that of Gabriel, however, the differences stand out immediately: the voice of the drummer is more harmonious and less rough, but lacks the expressive power of his predecessor. Consider, for example, to the difference between the masterful interpretation by Gabriel in "The Battle Of Epping Forest" and that, obviously too histrionic, by Collins in some ways similar, Robbery, Assault And Battery. No question about it: Gabriel wins this contest.

Of course, also in terms of lyrics, themes are very different than before. Gabriel's lyrics, full of inventiveness, his fantastic creatures and his surreal and paradoxical stories, give way to lyrics more ordinary. Hard to say whether this is due solely to the absence of the first Genesis singer or a natural process of change that involves the band.

The music is less gloomy than the previous "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", with more frequent use of 12-string guitars (in Ripples and in the excellent Entangled), a recovery of the sounds of "Selling England By The Pound" and a general tendency to avoid the complexities of "The Lamb" (consider, for example, the cheerful atmosphere of the title track, or the powerful but all in all, pretty obvious riff of Squonk).

In some moments the album is a litlle too melodic, for example in the vocal section of Ripples or in Mad Man Moon, however, are still present the wonderful change of pace and great romantic atmosphere that characterized the previous Gabriel era.

The best moments? Dance On A Volcano, especially towards the end, Entangled, probably the greatest song ever since Gabriel left the band, Mad Man Moon, characterized by melodic vocals and a brilliant piano interlude by Banks. Even Ripples and Robbery, Assault and Battery (the 13/8 time signature section in the middle is awesome) have good moments.

Pleasant, but nothing more, the rocking Squonk and the funny A Trick Of The Tail. Unnecessary and out of context Los Endos, is a song that does not fit in the style of the band. Fine irony typical of Genesis, the song was conceived as the answer of Genesis to Carlos Santana: in fact, if you listen to this song you have the impression you're listening to some album by Santana (is the same stuff really: but this is not "Abraxas" or "Cavanserai" and I don't want Santana's music, I want Genesis music!)

In any case, by far the best album of Genesis without Gabriel.

Songs rating: Dance On A Volcano 8/10, Entangled 10/10, Squonk 6/10, Mad Man Moon 8/10, Robbery Assault And Battery 7/10, Ripples 7/10, A Trick Of The Tail 6/10, Los Endos 4/10.

Total rating: 7/10. Four stars.

Best song: Entangled

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