SECONDS OUT

Perhaps it is blasphemous to say, but I consider 'Trick of the Tail', the first album Genesis released after Peter Gabriel left the group, as their best ever; however, I consider the material with Peter Gabriel far better overall than the output Genesis released afterwards. An incongruous proposition, you say? Not in the least, I reply. For at least two albums after Gabriel went solo ('Trick of the Tail' and 'Winds and Wuthering'), Genesis maintained a semblance of one of the greatest progressive rock groups ever.

Their demise as innovators and their descent into pop mediocrity was only markedly noticeable after guitarist Steve Hackett left the group (after 'Winds and Wuthering'). And so, Genesis is captured on 'Seconds Out' after the release of 'Trick of the Tail', without Peter Gabriel, but before Steve Hackett quit. Got it? Good.

Phil Collins does a marvelous job covering Peter Gabriel's vocals from Genesis' earlier works (their voices are eerily alike at this point), and this is understandable, as Collins did harmony with Gabriel on many of Genesis' classic songs. In fact, Collins breathes new life into such songs as "Supper's Ready" and "I Know What I LIke (In My Wardrobe)". Also, The addition of drummers Chester Thompson and Bill Bruford alternately sharing drumming chores with Collins is a revelation (the double drum sections on the release are astounding).

As an aside to some reviewers complaints here, Tony Banks hardly ever played the piano intro to "Firth of Fifth" live, because he felt the electric keyboards he used on stage were insufficient in comparison to the grand piano he had used in studio. Also, the lack of songs from 'Winds and Wuthering' were due mainly to the fact that 'Seconds Out' was recorded prior to WInds and Wuthering's' release (they had just finished it in studio).

As far as "official" Genesis live albums, 'Seconds Out' is the best, certainly better than the 1973 release 'Genesis Live' (with Peter Gabriel). Four and 1/2 stars.

Worth the price of admission: "Firth of Fifth", "The Carpet Crawlers", "The Musical Box", "Squonk", "Los Endos".