GENESIS

I agree that this is their most commercial album to that date, but the fact remains that this is a very good and polished album. It's definitally the last good album made in the "post Hacket" era. My distinction of the music Genesis were doing at the time is: Art- pop (or Prog-pop if u like). This means that the songs are pop songs, but they still have that "twist" that genesis allways knew how to give their songs. There are no bad songs in this album, so it comes down as the height of their "post hacket" Prog-pop era. The first side is great Prog-pop, and the second side are very good pop tunes. And now to the songs themselves:

Mama - This is, to my thinking, a great song, with a dence progressive sound to it, and great lyrics. Phil's laughter throuout the track is a spark of genuicy, and I still can listen to the track over and over without getting bored. This is definitally the best song in the album, and a must for all genesis fans.

That's All - This is one of their best pop songs ever, if not the best of them. A catchy tune, which catches your ear from second 1 and won't let go. The words are not bad, and the jam at the end is fantastic (thanks tony).

Home by the sea / Second home by the sea: The first one is a well crafted pop-song, with a horror movie theme to the lyrics. I wonder why this wasn't released as a single at the time but it's a very catchy song. The second one is a great progressive rock jam, reminder of the glory days of "Duke". All in all, this is the second best songs of the album.

Illegal Alian - At first I didn't like this song, but when u get that this is a kind of a joke realy, it catches on you. Very catchy pop tune, with nice and funny lyrics.

Taking it all too hard - A phil collins ballad, no doubt, but the tune is so good an catchy that I, for one, forgive the "cheesiness" of the lyrics.

It's going to get better - This is my favourite on the second side of the vinyl album. Basically it's a pop tune, much like the one b4 it, but the arrangement is so good, it comes of as a half Prog-pop tune. U can listen to this track over and over without getting bored. I do.

Silver rainbow - Same story as "It's going to get better". A pop song, this time with somewhat sci-fi / Fantasy lyrics, which has a prog-pop arrangement. Not as good as "It's going to get better" but still worth the while.

Just a job to do - A very slick and polished pop number. This is pure pop, not even pretending to be prog-pop. The arrangement is quite nice though, with all kind of drums and synthesizer small tricks to keep it interesting. The (half mock?) lyrics tell of a hit man going after a woman. Arguably this is the least good track of the album, but it's still enjoyable.

And there u have it: I think every Genesis fan should get this album. As I said b4, this is their last good effort after Hacket left, and it's worth the while. Listen and you will see, I hope...