WIND & WUTHERING

This was the last 'great' Genesis album. Steve Hackett departed after this one, (well, after the live follow-up, Seconds Out) and the band began its change of direction. 'Eleventh Earl Of Mar' opens the album in fine form, with Tony Bank's keyboards slowly growing in sound, swelling, along with Hackett's guitar, to orchestral proportions. Phil's drums are very powerful here, and lyrically the song is in the classic story-telling mode. The quiet interlude, filled with Tony's superb piano, is entrancing. The whole song sets the special Genesis atmosphere into motion for the rest of the album. Next we have 'One For The Vine' with more excellent piano work, great lyrics and a tremendous melody. This is almost a brother, or sister song to 'Mad Man Moon' on the previous 'Trick Of The Tail' album. Lovely. This album really is Tony's finest hour. 'Your Own Special Way' the track which follows, is often derided as too 'poppy' or 'romantic' but I have never had a problem with it. For me, it is just as strong as the other songs. You can tell Mike Rutherford used to work with Anthony Philips as this song could just as easily be a Phillips' composition. Nice acoustic guitar, mellow keyboards, and a catchy chorus, it is a fine song. 'Wot Gorilla?' is a classic Genesis instrumental. Wonderful percussion and drumming builds slowly in power before the keyboards and guitars kick in. A fine performance from Steve here, simple but effective. And again wonderful keyboards. A damn catchy tune, that almost sounds as if it should have humorous lyrics to accompany it! 'All In A Mouse's Night' kicks off what was side two of the old vinyl album. This does, indeed, have humorous lyrics, and a great tune to match. Starting off with almost church-like keyboards, it leads into good guitar work, fine drumming and tongue in cheek singing. Almost a throw back to the 'Nursery Cryme' days. The song ends as it began, with the church-like keyboards adding mock solemnity to proceedings. (A great bass line from Mike here too.) 'Blood On The Rooftops' is, for me, along with 'Entangled' from the previous album, the best post-Gabriel track Genesis ever did. Truly atmospheric, amazingly beautiful, with exceptional lyrics and the most eloquently understated keyboards from Tony, I have been in love with this song since the album was released. Not to mention Steve's famous acoustic guitar intro, and one of the best vocal performances from Phil, this is a classic. No more to be said. 'Unquiet Slumbers...' could almost fit on 'The Lamb' album, it is an instrumental of that ilk. Again, ridiculously atmospheric, it finds Hackett and Banks together again in fine style. And, of course, it leads on to 'In That Quiet Earth' a gentle tour de force for Steve. This instrumental still features in his stage set these days. Typically melodic guitar from Steve here, played as only he can. Finally, comes 'Afterglow' with its fine melody, leading to a strong emotional climax as sung by Phil, with keyboard led choir at the end. Or is it overdubbed vocals? Or both? A wonderful end to a wonderful album. A must have. Four stars, but only as I don't want to overuse the five star option!