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Rating: It has been about 9 years since Genesis, without Phil Collins, presented themselves to the public with a new album, that "Calling All Stations" which struggled to be digested by Genesis fans who just couldn't see Ray Wilson as the person who was supposed to replace the good Phil on vocals for the coming years... Predicted flop? I would say yes! The subsequent tour of that album was a complete flop, evidenced by the poor ticket sales in Europe and even the cancellation of most concerts that were supposed to be held in America. Moral of the story... Tony Banks: "Let's end it here! We don't want our brand to meet such an unseemly end!”
Many dark years for Genesis fans, continuously awaiting a reunion that was always denied. Then, on November 7, 2006, the official announcement! With a press conference held by Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford, Genesis announced their return with a tour that would touch Europe and America. In short, a return in grand style!
Everyone was waiting for this blessed June 11, 2007, which coincided with the first date of the tour, and when this moment arrived, it marked the beginning of the march of this immense band that reached its peak with the Rome concert, made memorable by the fact that it was held at the Circus Maximus in front of 500,000 people!
In celebration of this immense tour, they wanted to pay tribute to the fans with the release of a live album that collects the best of this tour. The setlist was reproduced in order without any cuts, but each track was taken from a particular date of the tour, forming a high-level musical puzzle! "Live Over Europe" is the live album that was missing from Genesis fans' shelves. An album that, as I explained earlier, does not feature any "cuts," and this is already a novelty given the previous live albums.
Upon first listen, you can surely feel the less energetic rendition of some songs that in past years had constituted real powerhouses in Genesis concerts. "In The Cage Medley", for example, seems a distant relative of that memorable one contained in Three Sides Live, especially due to the speed of execution and the fact that Phil was forced to lower the pitch of his voice by a semitone! "Firth of Fifth", cut from the sung part, appears to be more simplified in rhythm, where Phil's famous rolls barely take off, a consequence of more than fifteen years dedicated by Phil to cartoons etc... of the series: I can still ride a bike, but I need to practice a bit! Tony's keyboards are certainly more prominent, but even here, the choice of sounds adopted by Tony is debatable as they do not even remotely resemble the original ones!
Now you might be wondering if probably the reviewer doesn’t like this album at all? Instead, you are very wrong!
In my opinion, this album is the most beautiful testament this band could leave to the fans. There are thrilling songs on this album, and we must give credit to the band for that, who after so many years presented themselves to the public with a more than respectable setlist making the right mix of old and new!
I certainly think of "Ripples" which had not been offered live since 1980. A beautiful and poignant version where many at the concert did not hesitate to shed a tear. The instrumental part was shortened but this does not take away the magic from this piece where Daryl Stuermer's guitar faithfully reprises Steve Hackett's score... wonderful!
"Land of Confusion" offers a more aggressive version than previous ones, inspired by the cover made by Disturbed, from which Tony and co. took cues... a song definitely revisited!
"Domino" is another song that on this album assumes a disarming beauty, making it seem like a modern "In the Cage". Recorded in Rome, it features Phil in great form with an impressive sound performance, engaging you to the extreme and then bringing you to the pinnacle of the show...
The Drum Duet that sees Phil and Chester dueting on chairs, and then moving on to the drums... the longest drum duet in Genesis history that makes you jump out of your seat to admire such skill, even at fifty years old...
"Los Endos", on the other hand, does not suffer from the past years, a version that is very close to that stunning one in Seconds Out. Here you witness a real apotheosis where Phil Collins marks the time with counter times that move you...
The album ends with "Carpet Crawlers", where Phil gives his best making everything seem like the end of a film that lasted thirty years, where Phil sings all the notes and lines with a passion that moves you, making the audience interact in an anthem that praises everyone, the Genesis who made us dream once again, and the fans who have always stood by them, even in the most difficult moments. In my opinion, it is the most exciting, and most significant finale that I have ever heard in rock history!
A wonderful and absolutely must-have album. It is a testament of thirty years of career summarized in two and a half hours of concert, with a succession of emotions, thrills, and applause for a band, Genesis, that has been bestowed the gift of immortality!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Turn It On Again (04:26)
All I need is a TV show
That, and the radio
Down on my luck again
Down on my luck again
I can show you, I can show you
Some of the people in my life
I can show you, I can show you
Some of the people in my life
It's driving me mad
Just another way of passing the day
I, I get so lonely when she's not there
I, I, I, I
You're just another face
That I know from the TV show
I have known you for so very long
I feel you're like a friend
Can't you do anything for me
Can I touch you for a while
Can I meet you on another day
When we will fly away
I can show you, I can show you
Some of the people in my life
I can show you, I can show you
Some of the people in my life
It's driving me mad
It's just another way of passing the day
I, I get so lonely when she's not there
I, I, I, I
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
Turn it on
Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
(I can see another face) Turn it on
(I can see another face) Turn it on, turn it on again
03 No Son of Mine (06:57)
Well the key to my survival
Was never in much doubt
The question was how I could keep sane
Trying to find the way out
Things were never easy for me
Peace of mind was hard to find
And I needed a place where I could hide
Somewhere I could call mine
I didn't think much about it
'Til it started happening all the time
Soon I was living with the fear every day
Of what might happen that night
I couldn't stand to hear the crying
Of my mother, and I remember when
I swore that, that would be the last they'd see of me
And I never went home again
They say that time is a healer
And now my wounds are not the same
I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth
I had to hear what he'd say
Well, he sat me down to talk to me
He looked me straight in the eyes
He said, you're no son, you're no son of mine
You're no son, you're no son of mine
You walked out, you left us behind
And you're no son, you're no son of mine
Oh, his words how they hurt, I'll never forget it
And as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But where should I go, and what should I do
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help, oh I came here for you
Well the years, they passed so slowly
I thought about him every day
What would I do if we passed on the street
Would I keep running away
In and out of hiding places
Soon I'd have to face the facts
We'd have to sit down and talk it over
And that would mean going back
They say that time is a healer
And now my wounds are not the same
But I rang the bell with my heart in my mouth
I had to hear what he'd say
He sat me down to talk to me
And he looked me straight in the eyes
He said, you're no son, you're no son of mine
You're no son, you're no son of mine
When you walked out, you left us behind
And you're no son, you're no son of mine
Oh, his words how they hurt, I'll never forget it
And as the time, it went by, I lived to regret it
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But where should I go, and what should I do
You're no son, you're no son of mine
But I came here for help, oh I was looking for you
You're no son, you're no son of mine, no
04 Land of Confusion (05:11)
I must've dreamed a thousand dreams,
Been haunted by a million screams.
But I can hear the marching feet,
They're moving into the street.
Now did you read the news today?
They say the danger's gone away.
But I can see the fire's still alight,
Burning into the night.
There's too many men, too many people,
Making too many problems,
And not much love to go round,
Can't you see this is the land of confusion.
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth living in.
Oh Superman where are you now?
Everything's gone wrong somehow.
The men of steel, men of power,
Are losing, control by the hour.
This is the time, this is the place,
So we look for the future,
But there's not much love to go round.
Tell me why this is the land of confusion?
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth living in.
I remember long ago,
Oh when the sun was shining,
And the stars were bright, all through the night,
And the sound of your laughter, as I held you tight.
So long ago.
I won't be coming home tonight,
My generation, will put it right.
We're not just making promises,
That we know, we'll never keep
There's too many men, there's too many people,
Making too many problems,
And not much love to go round.
Can't you see this is the land of confusion?
This is the world we live in,
And these are the hands we're given.
Use them and let's start trying,
To make it a place worth fighting for.
This is the world we live in,
And these are the names we're given.
Stand up and let's start showing,
Just where our lives are going to.
05 In the Cage (13:30)
I got sunshine in my stomach
Like I just rocked my baby to sleep.
I got sunshine in my stomach
But I can't keep me from creeping sleep,
Sleep, deep in the deep.
Rockface moves to press my skin
White liquids turn sour within
Turn fast - turn sour
Turn sweat - turn sour.
Must tell myself that I'm not here.
I'm drowning in a liquid fear.
Bottled in a strong compression,
My distortion shows obsession
In the cave.
Get me out of this cave !
If I keep self-control,
I'll be safe in my soul.
And the childhood belief
Brings a moment's relief,
But my cynic soon returns
And the lifeboat burns.
My spirit just never learns.
Stalactites, stalagmites
Shut me in, lock me tight.
Lips are dry, throat is dry.
Feel like burning, stomach churning,
I'm dressed up in a white costume
Padding out left-over room.
Body stretching, feel the wretching
In the cage
Get me out of the cage!
In the glare of a light
I see a strange kind of sight;
O cages joined to from a star
Each person can't go very far;
All tied to their things
They are netted by their strings,
Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings.
Outside the cage I see my brother John,
He turn his head so slowly round.
I cry out "Help!" before he can be gone,
And he looks at me without a sound.
And I shout out "John please help me !"
But he does not even want to try to speak.
I'm helpless in my violent rage
And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek.
My little runaway.
In a trap, feel a starp
Holding still, Pinned for kill.
Chances narrow that I'll make it,
In the cushioned straitjacket.
Just like 22nd St,
And they got me by my neck and feet.
Pressure's building, can't take more.
My headache's charged. Earaches roar.
In this pain
Get me out of this pain.
If I could change to liquid,
I could fill the cracks up in the rock,
But I know that I am solid
And I am my own bad luck.
Outside John disappears and my cage dissolves,
And without any reason my body revolvess.
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Keep on turning
Turning around
Just spinning around.
Down, down, down..........
06 Afterglow (04:28)
Like the dust that settles all around me
I must find a new home
The ways and holes that used to give me shelter
Are all as one to me now
But I, I would search everywhere
Just to hear your call
And walk upon stranger roads than this one
In a world I used to know before
I miss you more
Than the sun reflecting off my pillow
Bringing the warmth of new life
And the sound that echoes all around me
I caught a glimpse of in the night
But now, now I've lost everything
I give to you my soul
The meaning of all that I believed before
Escapes me in this world of none
No thing, no-one
And I would search everywhere
Just to hear your call
And walk upon stranger roads than this one
In a world I used to know before
For now I've lost everything
I give to you my soul
The meaning of all that I believed before
Escapes me in this world of none
I miss you more
07 Hold on My Heart (05:58)
Hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we've been here before
We both know what can happen
Hold on my heart
'Cause I'm looking over your shoulder
Ooh please don't rush in this time
Don't show her how you feel
Hold on my heart
Throw me a lifeline
I'll keep a place for you
Somewhere deep inside
So hold on my heart
Please tell her to be patient
'Cause there has never been a time
That I wanted something more
If I can recall this feeling
And I know there's a chance
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Be there for you
Whenever you want me to
Whenever you call
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Hold on my heart
Don't let her see you crying
No matter where I go
She'll always be with me
So hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we've been here before
We both know what can happen
So hold on my heart
Just hold on my heart
Hold on my heart...
08 Home by the Sea (11:59)
Creeping up the blind side, shinning up the wall
stealing through the dark of night
Climbing through a window, stepping to the floor
checking to the left and the right
Picking up the pieces, putting them away
something doesn't feel quite right
Help me someone, let me out of here
then out of the dark was suddenly heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Coming out the woodwork, through the open door
pushing from above and below
Shadows with no substance, in the shape of men
round and down and sideways they go
Adrift without direction, eyes that hold despair
then as one they sigh and they moan
Help us someone, let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free
so many years ago
before the time when we first heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Sit down...Sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you
Images of sorrow, pictures of delight
things that go to make up a life
Endless days of summer, longer nights of gloom
waiting for the morning light
Scenes of unimportance, photos in a frame
things that go to make up a life
Help us someone, let us out of here
Living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free
so many years ago
before the time when we first heard
"Welcome to the Home by the Sea"
Sit down...Sit down
as we relive our lives in what we tell you
let us relive our lives in what we tell you
Sit down...Sit down
Cause you won't get away
no with us you will stay
for the rest of your days. So sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you
Let us relive our lives in what we tell you
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Other reviews
By lukather88
This album witnesses the return of a still cohesive and capable band, where the age of the members is barely noticeable.
The emotional closure arrives with the classic 'The Carpet Crawlers,' reaching levels of intensity, nostalgia, technique, and professionalism.
