DUKE

Although many consider this album to be not of the 'old' Genesis, there are still great progressive tracks on here, some even more proggy than 'A Trick Of The Tail'. This is a concept album which tells the tale of Albert, also known as The Duke. Albert is an unsuccessful young lover who falls in love with the Duchess when seeing her picture. Then he sees her on television, and learns the story of her life. Misunderstanding describes how he failed with her. Heathaze is his depression over this issue. Turn It On Again is all about how he doesn't need love, and just needs to be alone with the television. The next three tracks are about his realising that he really does need love, and Duke's Travels and End are about his journey far away, to find someone. The opening tracks are a sort of song in movements, with the first being Behind The Lines, which has a riveting three minute instrumental before the lyrics finally start, and then after that, it becomes very quiet, and we hear the quiet bells played on the electronic drum (Phillip's only use of electronic drums on this album) and Anthony's mellow keys send you drifting into the heavens, and once again, the lyrics start again, strongly, and send you into a wonderful track. This then fades out into 'Guide Vocal', a short but meaningful piece by Anthony. Even the pop song 'Turn It On Again' is written in more than one time signature. The instrumental 'Duke's Travels-Duke's End' is reminiscent of 'Los Endos', but on a larger scale. Near the end of this track is a reprisal of 'Guide Vocal'. A definite must for any prog fan.