A CURIOUS FEELING

Tony Banks first solo efford is still my favorite, yet it does not mean it´s perfect. Half of the album is made of excellent, very inspired songs, that could easily fit in any mid period Genesis best albums. The rest are plaintive keyboards-only tracks that are good, but they don´t really sit well with the others (they sound like incidental music for films, get it?). That´s the CD´s main fault: it lacks a little direction, it´s uneven, which is a shame since Lucky Me, You and, specially, The Lie/After The Lie and the title track are great songs, with those disturbing, intelligent and often enigmatic lyrics Banks was famous for in Genesis.

Musicly speaking, the album is also good, but with few highlights, except for the usual great keyboards runs, but even they are not very used here. The sole exception is the aforementioned The Lie/After The Lie, a very outstanding number (actually a two part song) that could be a big hit if it was recorded by Genesis. Banks plays all the bass and guitars parts, which he does well, but a little more care for the arrangements would make it better. Kim Beacon does a good job singing with passion and conviction. Nothing special but he does it well. Chester Thompson´s drumming is as excellent as ever.

Conclusion: a very good debut, no doubt. But actually, coming from a musical genius like Tony Banks, very good is way below expectations. 3,5 stars.