WIND & WUTHERING

Ahhh... the second album of the Tony Banks era, and again he doesn't disappoint. This is the album that Banks always says is his favorite from the group. His stamp is all over this album and while it does have a couple of songs w/o Banks getting a writing credit (unlike A Trick of the Tail), he still had enough of a grip on the group that Steve Hackett would feel too restricted and leave soon after the albums tour.

Eleventh Earl of Mar and One for the Vine are typical and excellent Genesis story songs w/ excellent musicianship that Genesis has been producing since Trepass. These are woven, multi-sectioned works of art that are not to be missed.

The third song is where many say the beginning of the end starts and were Phil Collins wrecked the band. This view drives me crazy. Your One Special Way is written ENTIRELY by MIKE RUTHERFORD. While Genesis doesn't have the Midas touch with the single yet, in the context that it is written as a love song, it is a very good song. Nowhere is it stated that all good songs must not be a love song or a ballad, although if you are going to write a ballad, there is no need to glue an instrumental section in the middle of it. The section just seems out of place and they will become master of the single (much to manys chagrin) down the road.

Wot Gorilla is a Banks / Collins written instrumental workout that seems to split the fans on its value although I find it as a pretty good track. All in a Mouse's Night has lyrics that are questionable, but the music is more than serviceable. Blood on the Rooftops is a Hackett / Collins song that is highly underrated in my book. Beautiful acoustic guitar, the ever-present keys in just the right amount and very good lyrics stating the weariness of listening to the evening news and the preference to not to listen that night and unwind and enjoy the present company.

The three part ending with the first two being instrumental and starting with some beautiful Steve Hackett acoustic guitar, before the band kicks into gear, and ending on Banks' Afterglow, is again not to be missed. The only small complaint about Afterglow is how much better and more energetic the live versions of this song are. This is a common feeling I have about many Genesis songs which makes their live work so interesting.

To rap it up, the autumn artwork is perfect for this recording (especially if you have the vinyl), Phil Collins as always excellent on drums and displays a more confident vocal touch while Rutherford is more then solid on bass and Banks' presence is enormous and everywhere. Steve Hackett's roll has increased but it was not enough to keep him on board. He will be sorely missed. Wind and Wuthering is a very strong 4 but not quite a 5.