Genesis
Seconds Out

THE REVIEW

For my second review, I have decided to talk about one of the best live albums ever (actually, in my opinion, the best along with "Live after Death" by Iron Maiden): "Seconds Out". Recorded in 1977 in Paris, this album is the last testament of the original Genesis sound, which will fade in the near future with the departure of Steve Hackett.

The lineup performing in this spine-chilling live includes: Phil Collins (vocals, drums), Steve Hackett (guitar), Mike Rutherford (bass, guitar), Tony Banks (keyboards), Chester Thompson (drums), and Bill Bruford (drums and percussion). The sounds emanating from the instruments are so clear and precise that it almost doesn't seem like a live performance but rather a studio record. It kicks off with "Squonk" (from "A Trick of the Tail"), which tells us the sad story of a kind of little goblin (Squonk indeed). The musicians' performance is well above average, and every single note is played almost perfectly. The same can be said for the second track "The Carpet Crawl" (from "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"). An emotional anthem. The next track "Robbery, Assault and Battery" is a very peculiar song with a rather difficult score. This only serves to highlight the skill of our musicians, who deliver another incredible performance. Immediately after, we find what is certainly one of the most beautiful pieces composed by Collins & co. "Afterglow" (from "Wind and Wuthering") is an exciting, almost moving song that puts us in the shoes of the protagonist of the lyrics who has lost everything after the war... "Firth of Fifth" (from "Selling England by the Pound") is presented in a very well-curated version (even though it is missing the historic piano intro). Then we have "I Know What I Like", which is quite a commercial and catchy song; the rhythm section's performance is excellent. The closing of the first part of this masterpiece is left to the duo "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and "The Musical Box". Hackett's final solo and Collins' "why don't you touch me?" accompany the listener, wrapped in a cloud of sounds and emotions, to the end of this first record. The second part of this work begins with a 25-minute suite: "Supper's Ready" (from "Foxtrot"). A true masterpiece. Right after, there is what I consider the miracle of the entire album: "Cinema Show" is the most concrete demonstration of the phenomenal skill, behind the instruments, of Genesis, who don't miss a beat and close the show with the captivating riffs of "Dance on a Volcano" and "Los Endos".

In conclusion, the best live album both in terms of musicians' performance and sound clarity and perfection. A true rock milestone.