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Genesis - Wind & Wuthering CD (album) cover

WIND & WUTHERING

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

4.11 | 2232 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
5 stars On a December 2nd 1976, I was on my way to purchase this album (at that time, I often wrote the day of purchase of my albums).

After "A Trick Of The Tail", I was wondering if they could achieve such a good follow-up LP. And damned, yes. They could. Tony Banks is omni present on this work, and he is writing the best tracks.

The opening song "Eleventh Earl of Mar" is a bloody great. Mike, Steve and Tony wrote it. Great mellotron intro (not such as "Watcher, but still...). The track turns into a quite hard song with great keyboards & good vocals from Phil. The rythm then changes completely and is almost Trespass-esque for about two minutes before getting back to the strong and hard side. It is a remarkable combination leading to one of the best track of the album (it reminds me a bit of "Dancing Out...").

"One For The Vine" (from Tony's sole inspiration) is the epic song of the album : it is really incredible and IMHHO belongs to the top ten songs from the band : nice melody, long and strong instrumental passages starting around minute four : fantastic keys again. It is such tracks that made the glory of this line up.

The song returns to a quiter tempo (like the start) before the grand finale which is a fabulous orgy of keys and guitar. Thank to such a track, old fans like myself were still following the band at that time. Although it is a very tranquil song for most of it, the lyrics are quite sanguinary and war oriented (like in "The Knife" or "Hogweed", for the lyrics I mean).

Although I have read a lot of criticism about "Your Own Special Way" written by Mike (it would even have led to the departure of Steve!), I remember that I pretty much loved this song at the time of release. Might be too commercial for "Genesis" but the chorus is very melodious. Just a bit mellowish. The last track of side one "Wot Gorilla" should have been skipped. The album clocking at over fifty minutes, it could easily be shorter by three IMO.

Side B opens with "All In A Mouse's Night" (Banks only, again): it is very pleasant tune to listen to and somewhat funny. It is the story of a cat eating a mouse (normal so far). But he will have to face a "super " mouse of ten feet tall which will eat him in less than a blow ! Great mellotron again at the end. Another great track.

In "Blood on the Rooftops" one immediately feels the input from Steve with a very nice acoustic guitar play. He co-wrote it with Phil. It is the most melodic song of the album : very emotional and subtle (I like that).

The next two intrumental tracks are quite complex. Both have Steve's mark. They could belong to his solo repertoire (he will play them frequently in his live sets). Still, Mike co-wrote "Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers..." while "...In That Quiet Earth" is the sole common effort of this album : the four of them contributing.

The closing track (again Tony...) is a great song : starting very slowly and then building on crescendo to reach its climax. "Afterglow" will be a highlight of their live performances from then on.

I feel that "Wind" is superior to "Trick" which I rated four stars... so, five stars for this one.

ZowieZiggy | 5/5 |

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