Genesis
Live At Wembley Stadium

THE REVIEW

The mission is arduous if not impossible, to transform a plastic, empty album like "Invisible Touch" into an event.

In 1987, Genesis came from an impressive series of commercial successes, an incredible escalation that saw them surpass the sales of the previous LP with each release, a record. "Invisible Touch", released the previous year, was a low blow to the fans, an album flirting with consumer pop sounds largely the work of Tony Banks. Just listening to Phil Collins' good "No Jacket Required" from 1985 partially exonerates the drummer from the responsibilities of the crime committed.

A series of four sold-out concerts closed the "Invisible Touch Tour" at Wembley in the summer of 1987. Despite the backbone being largely derived from the "invisible touch" the result is exceptional, a concert in which the five perform in amazing form, and it hardly matters if the '70s are long gone, Genesis is a rock band that can draw from an unlimited repertoire and still build a great show. The start with "Mama" is exhilarating, the unison hand clapping of the colossal audience gives chills, the performance of this heartbreaking love declaration to a prostitute is delivered at its best by a Collins in top form. This is followed by an effective version of "Abacab", the instrumental tail with Phil and Chester's two drums is delivered at its best and the song confirms itself as an exceptional stage test for the group. With "Domino" we delve into the latest work, live it is impossible to resort to the Nintendo sounds, and here this suite finally transforms, becomes more airy and vigorous with excellent delivery. "That's All" and "Throwing It All Away" are two calm tracks, the latter in particular proves to be decidedly bland even live and it would have been better perhaps to perform "In Too Deep" for the soft moments. Tony Banks' synthetic sounds open up to "The Brazilian", a curious instrumental that even in its live guise is a cascade of metallic Simmons sounds, the doubling of the drums makes it even more sumptuous in its icy coldness. "Land Of Confusion" and "Invisible Touch" become stadium anthems changing color, especially the latter which live uses its catchy appeal to its fullest advantage; the suite "Home By The Sea" is executed flawlessly, concluding with the fantastic "Drum Duet" between Thompson and Collins leading to the traditional end of "Los Endos". The final segment is a snappy "Turn It On Again" featuring a medley of soul and rock classics, a small tribute to the music so loved by Banks and company. 

Excluded from the film are "In The Cage" and "Follow You Follow Me", regularly performed on the tour. The next album, the more complex and articulate "We Can't Dance", will sell even more than "Invisible Touch", confirming the group at the absolute top of the charts, but it will be the last point of a perfect line.