SUPPERS READY (GENESIS TRIBUTE)

Recording a Genesis Tribute is probably one of the most difficult but honourable attempts for a progressive band. The result would depend on the intention of the band that participates and, of course on the subjective expectations of the listener.

Personally, my expectations on a tribute like this are listening different versions of the original tracks, but with an intelligent contribution that does not insult Genesis composition. Besides, I consider that the tributing bands should be highly influenced by Genesis to perform tracks according to their style. All these personal expectations are partially accomplished in "Supper's Ready" Magnacarta Tribute. However, the tracks selection is fortuitous, indeed they does not represent the real Genesis contribution to progressive music. Let's take a look at the tracks one by one.

1. Watcher of the skies (8/10): An interesting effort lacking the finesse form Genesis but preserving the original essence in this emotive ambient that characterizes Robert Berry's music. This track has sound much neo-prog-like with plain vocals and solid bass lines.

2. Firth of Fifth (8/10): The main achievement of "Over the Garden Wall" is preserving the fresh and polish sound of Genesis in this classical-influenced composition where keyboards and acoustic guitar lead this classical performance in an awesome and wonderful way. Bank's solos are played in acoustic guitar and Hackett's solo is played in electric guitar with a metallic but still enjoyable sound. I'll penalize with one point less due to the lacking of a vocalist of Gabriel's calibre and another one less for the lacking of finesse. The rest of the composition remains the same but with harder drums. Good performance!!

3. Undertow (6/10): Great vocals, an interesting performance but I consider this track should not be included in this tribute. This track is boring and lacking the compositions of real progressive essence. Anyway decent track!!!

4. Ripples (10/10): Really wonderful work, not just for selecting this track but for preserving the lovely voice of Annie Haslam which is ideal in "Ripples". Obviously, the sound of this track reminds me Magenta with their particular neo-prog sound. No complaints at all!!!

5. Back in N.Y.C. (6/10): Decent performance but far away from the original track. This track is kind of experimental but still is enjoyable and interesting for open-minded people.

6. For Absent Friends (10/10): This is probably one of the most worthy tracks. Robert Sinclair has achieved what other bands couldn't; he preserved the original sound of Genesis but improved with new compositional lines with the particular acoustic sound taken from "Nursery Cryme" album. This track is so well-performed that when I listen to it, I can swear that the only thing that differs from Genesis is Gabriel's voice. Excellent performance!!!

7. Mama (11/10): Sorry to all 70's Genesis fans but this is the BEST TRACK OF THIS TRIBUTE ALBUM!!! This track convinced me that I needed to purchase this album. I've always been a huge fan of Magnacarta's bands especially Magellan which I consider one of the most innovative band in the progressive metal scene. I am sure that Trend Gardener should have listen to "Mama" from Genesis when defining its particular style. "Mama" from Magellan is a track with the sound of "Hour of Restoration" with powerful rhythm guitars, hard drumming, precise percussions, solid bass lines, and intense keyboarding. The voice of Gardener is exceptional and their metallic sound are a real great contribution. I may not be a great fan of the original track but I can't deny that this was the basis for Magellan own sound. Mama is an attempt from Genesis to mix metal sounds with progressions. I don´t exaggerate when I say that this single track makes the purchase worthwhile!!!

8. Man of Our Times (10/10): Enchant is an art-rock band with a sound that mixes Rush influences with Duke's Genesis sound. Every time I listen to this track I can understand that "Duke" and particularly this track was determinant in Enchant's sound. This track has the exceptional keyboarding of Douglas Ott, the emotive vocals of Ted Leonard, and of course, the complex and delicious drumming of Paul Craddick. Excellent track!!!

9. Many Too Many: (6/10). This is a mediocre track that despite the great vocals of Nick D'Virgilio (who is the drummer in "Calling All Stations" album) there is no other important contribution. Personally I think this track should not be included because it doesn't represent an important contribution in a Tribute album. The sound of this track is very different from Genesis real contributions to progressive music. Anyway, a catchy ballad!!!

10. Entangled (10/10): Shadow Gallery is one of the most relevant bands that perpetuated the sound of late seventies Genesis and this is the exact track to be tributed by them. Listening to this track from Shadow Gallery is my own fulfilled dream. The acoustic guitar that has ever reminded me the sound in "Carved in Stone" album and the subtleness of Mike Baker's voice makes of this track a real must for any SG fan. The original sound of Genesis is still preserved with the same emotiveness.

11. Squonk (9/10) When you listen to "A Trick of the Tail" album this tracks comes after "Entangled" in the same order is in this tribute album, coincidence or no, I don't know but for me is a beautiful detail. This track is performed very well enclosing all the elements from Cairo: wide passages, soaring vocals, crystalline sounds, fine electric guitar solos, and solid bass lines. Very good performance!!!

12. I Know What I Like (In your Wardrope) (0/10). I just want to forget that I once listened to this track. This is the kind of things that I consider an insult to Genesis. This track is much more less than horrid and unlistenable. Just imagine a band trying to tribute without drums, narration instead of vocals and with a bothering techno sound. Terrible!!!

13. Carpet Crawlers. (6/10). I would have expected some that really held my attention but this track does not have it. An interesting but mediocre effort from this modern band!!!

14. Keep it dark (0/10). I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ON EARTH THIS TRACK WAS INCLUDED HERE??? "Keep it Dark" is a terrible track from terrible Abacab album that is desperately repetitive and monotone. This is a terrible selection for a band like "World Trade" that can play good music, just like "Turn of The Century" in Yes Tribute. If they wanted to add a track from Abacab album they could have been select "Abacab" track which could provide the band with interesting guitar arrangements.

At the end of this album, I feel a deep emptiness since there are no tracks from "Trespass" that could be included like "The Knife" neither an excerpt from "Supper's ready" epic. By the way, if could focus efforts on middle-age Genesis material; indeed, there are very good tracks from "Wind & Wuthering" that could be included and the epic "Duke's Travel + Duke's End" could have been an elegant end.

CONCLUSION

This album is recommended for Magellan's fans like me that are eager for listening to their new version of "Mama". Also, recommended for curious fans of Magnacarta bands and open-minded Genesis listeners with modest expectations.

Not recommended for 70's Genesis fans that consider that this band died completely with Gabriel's departure, neither people that want to listen exact copies from the original versions.

Personally, despite a couple of unlistenable tracks I enjoy the rest of it a lot!!!

GOOD PROGRESSIONS!!!