TRACKS FROM THE ALPS

The Italian band The Watch are probably the per-eminent prog band to capture the classic Gabriel-era sound of Genesis. While the band tours (Why not Los Angeles) doing covers of Genesis tunes, they write original material that could easily have been lifted from Nursery Cryme. "Tracks From The Alps" is their latest. It includes all original compositions except their reinterpretation of "Going Out To Get You", a track from Genesis' debut album. If you like "the sound" The Watch will be indispensable. One of the best things about this band is that they enjoy bringing classic Genesis tracks from the archives out into the full light of day with amazing improvements. They did it on their last album Timeless with their wonderful renewal of "In the Wilderness" and "Let Us Now Make Love". On Tracks from the Alps, The Watch performs "Going Out to Get You". The powerful organ De Vittorio opens with sounds warmer than the piano Genesis used on its demo recording on the Genesis Archive 1967-75 box set. The mellotron and organ are simply mystifying as is the thunder Fabbri brings on drums. Rossetti doesn't have as much venom in his voice as Peter Gabriel, however those keyboards and the menacing guitar work from both Gabriel and Rossetti's guitars more than create the mood to match the power of this often overlooked track. "A.T.L.A.S." opens with crisp morning guitar and Simone Rossetti's classic Peter Gabriel-like vocals. "Devil's Bridge" is another powerful track with a message "The Cheating Mountain" may be the best track on the album "Going Out to Get You" a track from Genesis' debut album "On Your Own" opens with deep keys reminding some of the band's earlier material from Ghost or Vacuum "Once in a Lifetime" opens with Keyboard wind effects and soft electric guitar chords "The Last Mile" is the longest track on the album. It opens with strong classic lead electric guitar melodies and Rossetti singing. I consider them a guilty pleasure and have enjoyed all of their releases. There is only one small thing that I didn't like, after waiting for 3 years for a new album from "The Watch" they gave me only less then 38 minutes album, I would have waited 6 more month for some extra 30 minutes! Highly recommended. 5 stars again!