SECONDS OUT

This is the essential Genesis live album. Although Peter Gabriel had long since been absent, Genesis carried on with two strong studio albums and then released this live album. This would be the final Genesis album to feature guitar maestro Steve Hackett, and his performances are a very strong part of the album. The material covered on the album is from their seminal era from Nursery Cryme to Wind and Wuthering. These are among the best live performances Genesis had ever accomplished.

Highlight tracks off this album are Firth of Fifth, which features great performances from Banks and Hackett, the latter's solo being the highlisht. Bank's piano outro is utterly phenomenal, as well. The extended version of I Know What I Like is also very good, Phil Collins sounding like Peter Gabriel in bits and pieces of the song. Supper's Ready, which has been extended by 3 or 4 minutes is the pivotal track of the album. It features spot on performances by all members, especially Tony Banks. The Cinema Show features drummer- for-hire Bill Bruford on the kit along with Chester Thompson, who duel near the end of the show.

With spot on performances, and a plethora of great material, what could be bad about the album? First off, like most Genesis albums of that era, it is terribly quiet, sometimes inaudible in the quiet sections. And second, Hackett's guitar tone during his solos is a little unsettling at fiest. Overall, I feel that the faults are overshadowed by all the strengths of the album. It is the one all Genesis fans should own. I really want to give it a 5, but due to the minor weaknesses I give it a 4.5/5.