SOUNDTRACKS

Okay, admittedly this album constitutes some of the most obscure work of Tony Banks's obscure solo catalog, but if you dig Tony Banks, then this album is definitely worthwhile. I must confess that I was initially disappointed by Soundtracks, and I almost traded it in at the used CD store after the first listen. But then I remembered that I have never fully appreciated any Tony Banks work until really listening to it several times through. His best music, both with Genesis and as a solo artist, is cerebral and musically dense, and you have to give it a chance to grow on you. This one has certainly grown on me tremendously, and now I wouldn't part with it at gunpoint!

Soundtracks is filled mostly with instrumental pieces, including lots of quiet bits and transitional background numbers, as one would expect in soundtrack music. Thus, if you prefer vocal tunes or more agressive, driving rock rhythms, you may be disappointed. I happen to love Tony's subtler, classical side, so for me, most of the vocal tunes are lowlights of this recording (except for the terrific Lion of Symmetry).