mj64

The review would be a 4.6 (periodic) only because you didn't give it the highest score, but I'm feeling generous even if a bit pissed off because I should have reviewed it myself. I’ll settle for the next turn back. This album is, in my opinion, simply and without frills, by far the best of Toto and one of the gems of American rock from that period. There isn’t a truly disappointing track; maybe I’ll agree with you that the ending of "Lorraine" is a bit repetitive and stretched out, "A Secret Love" is a bit too simple, but all in all, it’s a little gem both compositionally and interpretatively. "99" made me emotional for a long time; I remember the first listens on private radio stations at the end of the 70s, Radio Milano International (101) and Rete 105 (99), when music was a serious thing. But it’s in the rock tracks, which are decidedly predominant compared to the debut album and even the celebrated IV, that the five truly excel. The freshness of "All Us Boys," the almost blues cadence of "Mama," the perfect progression of "White Sister" from the piano intro to the explosion of Luke's final solo (for me one of the top ten solos of all time), the prog inserts of the title track, the engaging pace of "St. George & the Dragon." It’s simply a masterpiece, nothing like a ragtag band of soulless musicians. Of course, my judgment is influenced by the fact that I bought it at 15 and literally wore it out (I even have two vinyl copies), but really, if one listened to this album without preconceived notions, it could at least somewhat change the opinion of the Californian band. Then again, de gustibus... Anyway, "SL" is perfect, Jeff Porcaro a drumming giant, the keyboards are never out of place, and Kimball is at his best. A note on the cover: I’ve always thought that the man holding the sword was Steve Lukather; maybe it’s not true, but in my adolescent dreams, he was the man with the sword. Congratulations, doctor; best regards, hydriani.

Aside from the unbearable irony about diopeter, I actually realized that the review is really nice. I'll give it a 4, which averages out. As for from genesis to revelation, I think it's blasphemy to compare it to this: it's certainly a raw album, worsened by orchestral arrangements imposed by the record label, very pop in style, but there are some definitely nice compositions. Especially considering they were just eighteen at the time. For me, it’s worth a 3.

the review is funny, the album is the worst of Genesis' career, and of course jokes about Tony and Mike's passivity, clearly complicit in the band's pop turning point. that said, the slow tracks are well-structured, "Land of Confusion" is fun, and "Domino" and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" are passable. Settling for less? certainly not. but we endure. after all, the subsequent "We Can't Dance" will represent a guaranteed step forward, a sort of dignified farewell.

Right, for the record. But does this perhaps add anything to his vocal quality?

always better the entire discography of Genesis (and I would add the solo works of Peter, Steve, Ant Phillips, maybe Micheluzzo and the mechanics no) than hundreds of reviews of the theater of dreams.

your spurs? the team with the ugliest offensive game of all time and a playmaker like tony parker who would struggle to play in the second league? joking aside, let’s say that right now you’re in third place among the teams I hate the most left in the playoffs, just behind the celtics. but sleepy duncan is (was?) a great player, ginobili is amazing, and horry finally deserves a ring to properly close out his career :) but I fear the finals will be a rehash of the glorious '80s between the lakes and the irish (no white guys on the roster, but it is what it is). definitely off-topic, though. long live rock

I add to others' critiques another detail: how can you define "Family Snapshot" a sunny song? Have you listened to the lyrics? For the rest, you are passionate, you love Arcangelo, and so you deserve a kiss. But why only 4 for this wonderful live? I struggle to go below 5 for all the studio albums (1, 2, 3, 4, so, us, up) and even some soundtracks or others (ovo, passion, etc.). Maybe just 2 doesn't excite me. GREAT PETER

Congratulations on this review and also on the judgment regarding the album and the band in general. Personally, I also loved this album, perhaps my favorite from the post-Kimball era (but also Kingdom of Desire), yet I just can't bring myself to give it a 5: I've always dreamed of a Home of the Brave sung by my beloved Bobby, and I believe that (without taking anything away from Williams, a good vocalist) it would have been something else entirely. I completely agree on the incredible quality of our guys, from the poor Jeff to the two keyboardists, not to mention the immense Steve L. I saw them live twice, once around '83 and the second during the Kingdom of Desire tour, and on both occasions they were unforgettable shows. Far from just session musicians without a band identity: they are truly great.

with this we average out

Of this album, I only like the title track, with an ending that I really love. Perhaps it's the only point in the "three" discography where I appreciate Rutherford's work on guitar. The rest is truly poor, with the "gem" of Who Dunnit, which I consider the absolute worst in the entire Genesis discography. I must admit that, compared to the polished sound of the two subsequent albums, here there was at least a sense of exploration, an attempt to produce harsh and rough sounds that was later abandoned in favor of FM-polished pop. Rating very much shareable, 4.5.