Invisible Touch is possibly my favorite Genesis album. Some sublime songs on it. Unfortunately I can NEVER rid myself of the Spitting Image puppets to the video of Land of Confusion especially when Reagan in a nightmare hits the big red launch nukes button. Exactly something I could imagine our present incumbent moron doing..... |
Do you like Phil Collins? I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I’ve heard in rock. Phil Collins’ solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and, uh, Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite. 😳 I heard through the grapevine Phil Collins is going to be making a new record. He’s back in the Stu-Stu-studio. |
@slaw, Springfield Missouri, hometown of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, is also home to another great group, some of whose members were in and out of both bands. Guitarist D. (Don) Clinton Thompson, drummers Bobby Lloyd Hicks and Ron Gremp, and keyboardist Joe Terry were at certain points in time members of both The OMD and Springfield legends (Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, and Elvis Costello, and I are fans) The Skeletons/The Morells (they went by both names over the years). D. Clinton Thompson was in Steve Forbert’s road band for years, and is a fabulous player. Bobby Lloyd Hicks was Dave Alvin’s drummer for many years, and died of lung cancer/pneumonia (a heavy smoker) a couple years back. An excellent "rhythm section" player. There are a number of Skeletons and Morells albums still available, and they are fantastic. Great songs, great band, great production by bassist Lou Whitney (also now gone), who ran a recording studio in Springfield. I have friends/former bandmates (in The Cornell Hurd Band, now in Austin Texas) who travelled from San Jose California to Lou’s studio to record. He and The Skeletons/Morells are underground legends. |
@geoffkait There is the Peter Gabriel Genesis, (Phil Collins drums) and the post Peter Gabriel Genesis. Personally I like both, but their PG days were certainly more progressive without doubt. I think Abacab or ‘Genesis’ are the albums that really put them on the map in those days. No doubting Phil Collins writing chops. Great band! And PC helped write and produce, as well as played on Robert Plant’s first two solo efforts out of Zepp. |
Cool @tomic601. Hurd's a great songwriter, one of his recorded by Junior Brown, one ("If You Play With My Mind You're Gonna Get Your Hands Dirty") by The Skeletons. Hurd's guitarist Paul Skelton (just a coincidence ;-) and I moved to L.A. together in '79, then to NYC in '82. He was (R.I.P., another 2-pack a day smoker) the guitarist on the first two Wayne "The Train" Hancock albums, but didn't go on the road with him. In his place was Evan Johns, another guitarist I worked with. Small world! So you got yourself an RM-9, ay? I'm keeping my eyes open for one myself, until then my RM-10 and RM-200 will have to do ;-) . What speakers are you hooking it up to? My RM-10 goes with my Quad 57's, the RM-200 with Eminent Technology LFT-8b's. |
@uberwaltz - There’s no accounting for (personal) taste. ;~) "Welcome to the Real World" has been relegated to the (to trade) pile. Agreed, "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie" were decent enough pop songs, but not good enough to live in my record rack. Still working on the culling. I’ve freed about 90 records from captivity, so far. Still got a ways to go...... |