SECONDS OUT

I remember buying this album the day it was released... and wow, the sound was amazing! Even before the release, I saw the W & W tour in MSG, NYC, back in 11th grade and the only thing `Seconds Out' is missing (besides a fair-to-Steve Hackett mix), was the amazing visuals and lasers. The show was dark, moody, powerful and unforgetable.

Though I prefer Gabriel's range of vocals to Collins, Phil sings most of the old material admirably with more of a delicate tonation, but he still can muster some dramatics during the end of `Supper's Ready,' obviously he is more comfortable with songs like: `Robbery Assualt and Battery and other ATOTT songs). Still remember that this was Collins' `genesis' at being the lead singer and his voice is controlled and void of the silly `alm' sounds, and `Oh Lord,' additions that he embaressingly overused in his `Duke' tour voice work. Yet, l Phil is weakest during the Willow Farm section of Supper's ready where his range can not compete with PGs.

The worse calamity comes from the total mix down of Steve Hackett's guitar. Steve was not a happy camper during the W & W tour. His gem- `Please Don't Touch' was voted down in preference to Collins' `Wot Gorilla,' and he felt that his compositions were not being used (though the band was using more in W&W compared to ATOTT). Because he left the band, I firmly believe that it was Collins' or the band intention to drop the Hackett sound in the `Second's Out' mix- maybe their way of saying godd bye. It's a shame. Steve's haunting guitar effects and work is totally unique; he was the last bastion of power and experimentation that the band subsequently lacked- this mix down decreases the bands power a bit. In the years to come, M. Rutherford tried to emulate Steve sounds, but either failed or went in a more muttled- safe avenue.

It would have been nice to hear more from Bill Bruford on the drumming but ex- Zappa- Chester Thompson is an excellent drummer and filled in well, yet his style is quite un Genesis-like (Chester fit in much better in sucessive tours), but his skill (as well as Collins' limited drumming shines through.

Tony Banks' keyboards are excellent and `Seconds Out' is really the last Genesis album that really let's him showcase the true Genesis sound, complex key work and provide ample orchestration.

Get this album simply for `Cinema Show' and `Supper's Ready.' This showcases the best of the band and not the sell-out rubbish that they did in the 80's and 90's. Yes they made tons of money, but who's going to remember `I Can't Dance?' over `The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' album?

Though Steve Hackett's `Tokyo Tapes' Live CD (and DVD) try to honor and bring back a memory or two from 70's Genesis (and King Crimson), it still pales to the power, dramatics and elegance of this amazing live album which I consider one of the best ever. Buy it!

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