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February 1976: flocks of specialized journalists, dark as birds of ill omen, were announcing the impending end of Genesis starting with this album. After all, a certain Peter Gabriel had left the group, if you catch my drift... In hindsight, almost thirty years later, we can say that the gravediggers of Genesis would have to stretch their necks for many more years, and not only thanks to the infamous "Phil Collins' tunes," which kept the prestigious brand alive, albeit slightly hollowed, during the '80s, but rather thanks to the presence among the survivors of two serious musicians, albeit not very charismatic, like Tony Banks and Steve Hackett.
Phil Collins, still far from imposing his "easy listening" style, deserves great credit for having provided the solution to what seemed the most insoluble problem: and now who sings? With hindsight, one might think: how did they not realize that they had a more "Gabriel-esque" voice than Peter Gabriel's right at home? (Moreover, Phil already had some minor vocal precedents). Be that as it may, the most natural solution was then implemented in "A Trick of the Tail," which, from the melody inventiveness perspective, keeps Genesis on those levels of overflowing, at times almost baroque, fantasy that had enchanted in the early '70s. If anything, it's the lyrics that lose a bit of their surreal charm, and this is where Peter Gabriel's absence is felt. But the unexpected lurks, and Mike Rutherford, who is somewhat the "handyman" of the group, somehow invents the "Squonk," a little creature that constantly cries over its ugliness and is perpetually pursued by hunters, but when they catch up to it, it dissolves into tears. Stuff worthy of the best Gabriel-style tales.
"Squonk" is decidedly the most rock piece, with a great Phil Collins on drums; other fast tracks, with a slightly more complex rhythm, include "Robbery Assault and Battery," with Banks showcasing two stunning synthesizer solos, and "Dance on a Volcano," with a gripping finale so modern it hardly seems like '76 material. But the core consists of compositions of great sweetness, like "Entangled," a triumph of acoustic guitars gradually giving way to a powerful "choral" finale (it's Tony Banks’ mellotron performing these magic tricks).
Beautiful and with a sadness I dare say Tchaikovskian is "Mad Man Moon," a typical Banks composition, with a subdued beginning, symphonic central bridge, and reprise of the initial theme. A similar structure also characterizes "Ripples," with an unusually catchy (for Genesis) chorus; however, it's the instrumental central bridge that gives chills. Also excellent is "A Trick of the Tail," a ballad a bit less acoustic than the previous ones. The Genesis habit of making a sort of final summary of the main motifs is also inaugurated. Here, "Los Endos" serves as an instrumental collage of themes drawn from "Dance on a Volcano" and "Squonk," connected by a tight and compelling rhythmic connector (Phil Collins shines in this setting).
It's difficult if not impossible to find a weak spot: the Genesis funeral is postponed indefinitely.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Entangled (06:26)
When you're asleep they may show you
Aerial views of the ground,
Freudian slumber empty of sound.
Over the rooftops and houses,
Lost as it tries to be seen,
Fields of incentive covered with green.
Mesmerised children are playing,
Meant to be seen but not heard,
"Stop me from dreaming!"
"Don't be absurd!"
"Well if we can help you we will,
You're looking tired and ill.
As I count backwards
Your eyes become heavier still.
Sleep, won't you allow yourself fall?
Nothing can hurt you at all.
With your consent
I can experiment further still."
Madrigal music is playing,
Voices can faintly be heard,
"Please leave this patient undisturbed."
Sentenced to drift far away now,
Nothing is quite what it seems,
Sometimes entangled in your own dreams.
"Well, if we can help you we will,
Soon as you're tired and ill.
With your consent
We can experiment further still.
Well, thanks to our kindness and skill
You'll have no trouble until
You catch your breath
And the nurse will present you the bill!"
03 Squonk (06:29)
Like father like son
Not flesh nor fish nor bone
A red rag hangs from an open mouth.
Alive at both ends but a little dead in the middle,
A-tumbling and a-bumbling he will go.
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Could never put a smile on that face.
He's a sly one, he's a shy one
Wouldn't you be too.
Scared to be left all on his own.
Hasn't a, hasn't a friend to play with, the Ugly Duckling
The pressure on, the bubble will burst before our eyes.
All the while in perfect time
His tears are falling on the ground
BUT IF YOU DON'T STAND UP YOU DON'T STAND A CHANCE.
Go a little faster now, you might get there in time.
Mirror mirror on the wall,
His heart was broken long before he ever came to you.
Stop your tears from falling,
The trail they leave is very clear for all to see at night
all to see at night.
In season, out of season
What's the difference when you don't know the reason.
In one hand bread, the other a stone.
The Hunter enters the forest.
All are not huntsmen who can blow the huntsman's horn
By the look of this one you've not got much to fear.
Here I am, I'm very fierce and frightening
Come to match my skill to yours.
Now listen here, listen to me, don't you run away now
I am a friend, I'd really like to play with you.
Making noises my little furry friend would make
I'll trick him, then I'll kick him into my sack.
You better watch out... You better watch out.
I've got you, I've got you, you'll never get away.
Walking home that night
The sack across my back, the sound of sobbing on my shoulder.
When suddenly it stopped,
I opened up the sack, all that I had
A pool of bubbles and tears - JUST A POOL OF TEARS.
All in all you are a very dying race
Placing trust upon a cruel world.
You never had the things you thought you should have had
And you'll not get them now,
And all the while in perfect time
Your tears are falling on the ground.
The Squonk is of a very retiring disposition and due to its ugliness, weeps constantly. It is easy prey for hunters who simply follow a tear-stained trail. When cornered it will dissolve itself into tears.
True or False?
05 Robbery, Assault and Battery (06:16)
The streets were deserted though the police were alerted,
They considered the phone call a hoax.
Furtively glancing then jauntily prancing
The youth caught the guards unaware.
Slipping between them he ought to have seen then
The eyes and their owner so near.
With torch shining bright he strode on in the night
Till he came to the room with the safe.
"Hello son, I hope you're having fun."
"You've got it wrong Sir, I'm only the cleaner."
With that he fired, the other saying as he died,
"You've done me wrong," it's the same old song forever.
Robbery, assault and battery,
The felon and his felony.
Robbery, assault and battery,
The felon and his felony.
Picked up the diamonds and bundles of fivers
He pushed them well down in his sack.
But the alarm had been sounded, he was completely surrounded
But he had some more tricks up his sleeve.
"Come outside with your hands held high."
"You'll not get me alive Sir, I promise you that Sir."
With that he fired, the other saying as he died
"You've done me wrong," it's the same old song forever.
Robbery, assault and battery,
The felon and his felony.
Robbery, assault and battery,
The felon and his felony.
"He's leaving via the roof, the bastard's got away.
God always fights on the side of the bad man."
"I've got clean away but I'll be back some day,
Just the combination will have changed.
Some day they'll catch me, to a chain they'll attach me,
Until that day I'll ride the old crime wave.
If they try to hold me for trial
I'll stay out of gaol by paying my bail
And after I'll go to the court of appeal saying
"You've done me wrong," it's the same old song forever."
Done me wrong - same old song - done me wrong.
07 A Trick of the Tail (04:35)
Bored of the life in the city of gold
He'd left and let nobody know.
Gone were the towers he had known from a child,
Alone with the dream of a life
He travelled the wide open road,
The blinkered arcade,
In search of another to share in his life.
Nowhere.
Everyone looked so strange to him.
They've got no horns and they've got no tail
They don't even know of our existence.
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold
That lies in the deep distance, he cried
And wept as they led him away to a cage
Beast that can talk, read the sign.
The creatures they pushed and they prodded his frame
And questioned his story again.
But soon they grew bored of their prey
The beast that can talk?
More like a freak or publicity stunt.
Oh
No.
They've got no horns and they've got no tail
They don't even know of our existence.
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold
That lies in the deep distance, he cried
And broke down the door of the cage and marched on out.
He grabbed a creature by the scruff of his neck, pointing out:
There, beyond the bounds of your weak imagination
Lie the noble towers of my city, bright and gold.
Let me take you there, show you a living story
Let me show you others such as me
Why did I ever leave?
They've got no horns and they've got no tail
They don't even know of our existence
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold
That lies in the deep distance, he cried
And wept.
And so we set out with the beast and his horns
And his crazy description of home.
After many days journey we came to a peak
Where the beast gazed abroad and cried out.
We followed his gaze and we thought that maybe we saw
A spire of gold - no, a trick of the eye that's all,
But the beast was gone and a voice was heard:
They've got no horns and they've got no tail
They don't even know of our existence
Am I wrong to believe in a city of gold
That lies in the deep distance
Hello friend, welcome home.
08 Los Endos (05:46)
There's an angel standing in the sun.
There's an angel standing in the sun,
Free to get back home.
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Other reviews
By London
"You have to hurry and convince yourself that the best way to start the journey is to close your eyes."
"Don’t fall in love! Not now, you’re almost at the end... lift the needle and gently place the record back in the sleeve, until next time."
By Savickas
You are really annoying with Peter Gabriel.
By paolofreddie
Phil proves to be a worthy successor to Peter Gabriel.
A wonderful album that rightfully enters among the gems of progressive rock.
By VinnySparrow
"The album flows beautifully, listening to it with eyes closed is pure ecstasy!"
"Even the most die-hard Gabriel supporters... cannot deny that the band pulled off a great record even without their leader."
