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Genesis - Calling All Stations CD (album) cover

CALLING ALL STATIONS

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

2.46 | 1150 ratings

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genbanks
3 stars 3.5 STARS REALLY

I think that this album must be evaluated not comparing it with the others Genesis ones. If I do that it goes down hill, just because Collins is not there. The ausence of Collins implicates three problems: The voice of Genesis is not special anymore (like Gabriel and Collins were), it's just a common voice. The arrangements, Collins is a great arrenger, and Banks and Rutherford, as high level songwritters, always needed an arranger two elevate their creations and Collins (or Hackett before too) always was there. Wilson did a decent job in the album, but live he could not sing well Collins parts, his voice range is too much enclosed (high and low). The other problem is that seems that Rutherford was not enough implicated in the songwritting. When he did it they did the best, as the title song. Finally, as I read once, and agree, seems that the tracks had needed more "cooking", they sound a bit uncooked.

Said that, the album itself is good IMO. Is it essential? I don't know, is just in the border. The prog elements are just there, even in more doses than previous Genesis albums, but maybe with less quality. There are two tracks that are Genesis trademarks, Calling all stations, a hard riff guitar based one with typical Banks keys maitress behind. Wilson fits really well with the vocal and the melody line is great. Dramatic and with much feeling, even with a great but short guitar solo. The best of the album, with Rutherford as the main songwritter. The other is Dividing line, a true prog number with the Banks seal in the instrumental sections. Great track too. The prog feeling appears again in two other long songs. Alien afternoon, in which the second section is outstanding, and There must be some other way, a good track with an instrumental interlude. The rest is some lights and shadows, but nothing special.

Not four stars but more than three IMO. Normally I use 4 stars for 3.5 stars, but in this case I will use 3 stars, cos I can not say that it could be an excellent addition, maybe a good addition for those who want.

genbanks | 3/5 |

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