DUKE

The album opens with Behind the lines, a track that starts with an almost two minutes pompous instrumental, that sounds great, and sounds even better in the live versions. After that, the song is mainly the melody line, a good one.

Behind the lines is very well connected with the second track Duchess, the one preferred of Tony Banks. After a drum machine with little sounds and keyboards running of almost two minutes, Duchess gets into a great sound hold over a non conventional drum job. Collins did it very well in the voices, but the best is the chorus, just amazing. The fade out is really good and flows into a little gem composed by Banks called Guide Vocal, very emotional and with a stunning melody line over an electric piano motive.

Man of our times is a modern prog number by Rutherford in which Collins voice sound almost unrecognizable. The song is mainly based on keyboards and is really good.

Misunderstanding is one of the weak points of the album. Written by Collins was the first big hit of the band in USA. The track is a pure pop number much mellow for my taste. The live version on Three sides live is far better.

Heatheaze is a prog ballad from Banks with ethereal lyrics. One of the most underrated tracks of Genesis. This track is one of the best ballads of the band, in the way of the '70s second half Genesis.

The original side two, starts with one of the '80s Genesis iconic rock tracks. Turn it on again became from a guitar riff of Rutherford transformed by Collins in the speed. The track is really great and sounds far better in the Three sides live version, especially because the rougher and heavier sound. Alone tonight is a commercial ballad by Rutherford, a precursor of the next '80 Genesis ballads. It demonstrates the capabilities of Rutherford to create great melody lines.

Cul de Sac is another prog piece by Banks. Good instrumentation and change of rhythms, the only problem is that is too short. Please don't ask is sad ballad by Collins, based in a very simple piano riff. Just the other weak part of the album.

And the best is at the end. Duke's Travels, an instrumental epic of almost 10 minutes is the absolute highlight of the album. Banks did the main thing with fast and melodic keyboards solos here and there with Collins drumming with all his pyrotechnic. Rutherford brings a good job in bass and a better one with some electric solos, especially at the end. The track finishes with a great reprise of Guide Vocal to flow then into Duke's End, an instrumental reprise of Behind the lines intro. A great ending.

Share this GENESIS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to genbanks
• Report this review (#375010)
• Buy GENESIS music online with PA partners
• Show all GENESIS MP3/Stream
• Go to GENESIS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Duke page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for GENESIS related discussions