A TRICK OF THE TAIL

With this album, their first without Peter Gabriel, the band not only proved they could survive the loss of Gabriel, but that they would thrive, as they went and produced one of their very best albums as well. First, the production and sound quality is brighter and cleaner than previous albums (previous engineer David Hentschel stepped into a producer role here), and the songs are generally a bit lighter and brighter as well (relative to the somewhat dark and ominous Lamb), yet just as strong of a progressive rock album. It also plays as more of a stylistic and engrossing whole, rather than as a collection of individual songs. Starting with the dynamic opener/closer combo of 'Dance on a Volcano' and 'Los Endos', the album shines from beginning to end. In between is an array of entertaining story songs, ranging from the gentle beauty of 'Entangled' and 'Ripples' to the engaging whimsy of 'Trick of the Tail' to the excitement and mystery of 'Robbery?' and 'Squonk' to the engrossingly beautiful epic 'Mad Mad Moon'. Every song is a gem. Best songs: 'Mad Mad Moon',' Dance on a Volcano/Los Endos', 'Entangled', 'Trick of the Tail', 'Ripples'. Weak songs: none