A CURIOUS FEELING

Wonderful solo debut album by Tony Banks. The keyboards are in the centre of the album, and that's as it should be. There isn't an awful lot of variety as it comes to keyboard sounds. In fact, the sound of the album is quite sparse. Drummer Chester Thompson, who had great memories working with Tony on the album, is playing quite tame compared to some of the flashy and sensational stuff he does on albums from for instance Genesis and Koinoonia.

So, musically, the keyboards are central to the music, and the drums are following the keyboards, being in the background most of the time, just giving the music the backbeats that it needs.

As it comes to lyrics, the key to understanding is in "The Lie". From here all the lyrics of the rest of the album fall into place. Still, Tony never wanted to make a real concept album.

Back to the music: this is probably Banks' best album, and his most non - commercial one also (except for the classical cd that he made). What's beautiful on the album is his chords, which are sometimes complex. Also, it is a real story telling album, which heightens the atmosphere. The singing is good, though not extraordinarily good. The production is not quite on a par with the Genesis albums. That doesn't really matter, Banks compositions, his chords, the warmth of his synthesizers, the moods (melancholic) are outstanding.

Banks wanted to call the album The Waters Of Lethe, but he changed the name because he didn't want to explain to anyone about the meaning of the album title. I feel sorry about that, because the original title is much more beautiful.

On the next cd Banks would turn to new wave, leaving many of his (Genesis) fans disappointed, starving for music with more challenge. Later on Banks would opt for a more openly commercial sound. Banks' debut remains his best. Not sounding like Genesis, except for the chords, the good compositions and the meaningful lyrics. Recommended.