STILL

Tony Banks' music is about feeling rather than intricacy and chops, hence the vast difference between reviews. One either feels it or they don't. Coming off his personal least favorite offering, Bankstatement, Banks' compositions really shine on 'Still', in many places. 'Red Day On Blue Street' is a perfect opener, loaded with summery melody, and powerful chord changes. This track alone arguably has more in the way of substance than the entire Bankstatement album, and the production is phenomenal. The strong mood conveyed in the opener is not continued on the next 2 tracks, which though good songs, are almost a let down after the powerful opener. 'Still It Takes Me By Surprise' is another great track, reminding of his work with Genesis in songs like 'Heathaze' or even 'One For The Vine'. A beautiful, poignant track with a glorious instrumental break. The only serious instrumental break on the album. The other highlight is 'Another Murder Of A Day', with great vocals by Fish. This sounds like a great lost Genesis classic to my ears. Very emotional, with a strong, compelling mood, like a more adventurous 'Me and Sarah Jane', mixed with some of 'The Lamb'.

2 other poignant songs are the haunting 'Water Out of Wine', and 'The Final Curtain', this latter track completely made by the gorgeous middle section, leading to the outdoorsy instrumental break that marks another album highlight.

Elsewhere, 'Back To Back' is to me better left off the album, annoying after the masterpiece that is 'Another Murder of a Day'. So, not a perfect album, but a very good one nonetheless, and far and away his best since 'A Curious Feeling'.