Thoughts on Duke

Duke is a wonderful album. I've always said its a beautiful blend of prog and a sophisticated 80's pop offering.
I've got absolutely no criticisms for this album.
I'm afraid I am quite useless in this thread, however I just wanted to convey my love for this album.
If one ever gets the chance to listen to Duke in a 5.1 surround sound offering I really suggest doing so. It's very well mixed by Nick Davis. :)

^^^ I think In The Cage covered Behind the Lines when I saw them years ago at a Genesis convention, but beyond that yes, the tribute acts only cover what the 'real' fans want to hear most of all.

Rednight wrote: ^And shot for a few shekels up in Hollywood.

With impressive rain special effects!

I like "Misunderstanding". The video is funny with them in Hawaiian shirts. Goofy and funny at the same time.

I'm hoping my copy of Duke will be in tomorrow's post.

One of my personal favorites. Awesome production and atmosphere for the time IMO.

I see your point.  The lyrics don't work for me, personally, because of the way they  mix realistic writing and metaphors and because of the shifting perspectives.  It sounds clumsy to me, but that doesn't mean it's objectively flawed.

Heathaze was written by Banks, which might explain the shifting perspectives.

Ok, this is entirely subjective, but here's my analysis

Well, I don't care for Phil's vocal stylings on Heathaze.  The emotions he pours into some of the verses don't seem to match the lyrics--at least in my head.  For example, what's that bit about feeding the ducks instead supposed to mean?  Phil tries to pack an emotional punch into that line, but it just falls flat to me.

Duke's Travels/Dukes End are proggy, but they've never really done anything for me.  They're prog, but not necessarily good prog.

Misunderstanding is truly wretched.  It's not even one of their better pop songs.  It amazes me that a drummer could write a song so rhythmically static.

Whether the rest of the album is prog depends, I guess, on your definition of progressive.  Carefully crafted songs that relay a story--or meaning deeper than cloying love songs for a teenage audience--are progressive in my mind.  Behind the Lines is a wonderful prog anthem, and Man of Our times and Cul-De-Sac contain some great instrumental playing.  I'm also partial to Turn it on Again.  What can I say: I have soft spot for drummers counting out time at the beginning of a song.

I think the reason why so many progheads dislike Duke is the slick 80s sound of the album and not the songwriting itself.  I certainly like Phil's actual playing over the drum machine, but it doesn't necessarily ruin songs for me.  Tony's synthesizers sound thin, but he has always explored new keyboard sounds.  Going back through the Genesis catalogue, I'm struck by how relatively little accoustic piano playing is found on their albums--the opening of a Firth of Fifth notwithstanding.