WIND & WUTHERING

WIND AND WUTHERING was recorded during the period when Genesis members were becoming bored of the musical restrictions within the band, thus releasing solo material (Hackett) or even joining side-projects (Collins) and it sounds slightly unconvincing in parts.

I presume the fact that Collins was jamming with Brand X at the time, can be heard from the unusual drumming, time signature-wise, that he adopts on some tracks. Overall the music really reflects the artwork on the cover, with warm harmonies and lyrics based on traditional British homely routines.

With the exception of 'Your Own special Way', which is a rather pathetic ballad, the album is an excellent example of progressive rock.

My favourite song of the album is 'Blood on the Rooftops' which has a beautiful classical guitar intro and a very haunting keyboard part, that counterpoints Collins' singing '...won't you stay?' One cannot tell from the classical guitar intro that the song'll soon lead to a totally different part. I would describe this song as one of the band's best ever, even in spite of the fact that the lyrics do not fit the music, in the sense that the words are very mundane ('...shall I make that tea?') compared to the ponderous music.

Perhaps the last good progressive album by Genesis?