ARCHIVE #2 1976-1992

This is a three disc set of post-Gabriel Genesis material. Some people would despise ever owning such a thing, but I find myself enjoying some if it. In fact, I got mine for fifteen dollars used. I thought I was getting a great deal, and after listening to the whole set, I noticed that there are obvious high points and low points. In my opinion, this is a true treat for the fans of post-Gabriel Genesis or those wanting to discover deepcuts and live tracks by one of prog's most prolific and controversial bands. Now, on to the review.

The first disc is a set of deep cuts, unreleased tracks, singles, etc... collected on to one cd. The "We Can't Dance" tracks aren't very good. I mean really, who wants to hear a 12" version of "We Can't Dance?" I'm sure someone does, but it really is not my cup of tea. "On the Shorline" is a pretty good song considering it came from the same sessions. I like it more than most of the tracks on the "We Can't Dance" album. I wish I could say the same thing for "Hearts on Fire," but in my opinion, it's pop garbage. The "Abacab" songs again are overall pretty poppy, although I find myself enjoying "Naminanu" and to some exten "Submarine." "Naminamu," although it is repetitive, is one of the stronger tracks. One track from the "Invisible Touch" sessions really stands out. "Do the Neurotic" is an incredible instrumental that reminds one of "The Brazilian," but is much longer and better. It is the best track on the album. The other two songs come from "Duke" and "Wind and Wuthering" sessions, but are just ok by me.

The second disc has many live tracks performed during the Collins era. I really enjoy the live version of "Dreaming While You Sleep"; to me, it is much better than the album version. "Deep in the Motherlode" is a track that is full of energy. You can tell that the band was really enjoying performing this song live, and the audience seems to enjoy it as well. The two instrumentals, "Duke's Travels" and "The Brazilian," are great as usual. Other noteables tracks are "Burning Rope," "Ripples," and "Entangled." Honestly, I could do without the rest, although "Illegal Alien" is an extremely catchy song.

The third disc is a hodge podge of 12" versions of hit songs, some more live tracks, more deep cuts (B-sides, singles, etc...), and Mama, presented as a work in progress. The twelve inch versions here are much more enjoyable than the "We Can't Dance" 12". Some of these "remixes" are even proggier than the original album cuts. I'm not to fond of the live releases on this disc. They seem somewhat random, and in my opinion, are not performed as well as those on the second disc. The B-sides and singles aren't even that good this time around. "It's Yourself" is the only real stand-out among them. The last track Mama (work in progress) is actually quite enjoyable. It and the 12"s are the best tracks on the third disc. The third disc is definitely the least representative and interesting.

This box set is good for Genesis completists or those who are fans of the Collins era. I find myself enjoying some of the tracks, but in the end, this set is for the completist, and that is why the set gets two stars. This is for the collectors and fans (of Collins Genesis that is ).