DUKE

Recorded in Sweden this would be their first album to go number one in the UK. This is also the first time they used a drum machine.This record is special to me in that it was the first GENESIS album I ever purchased.1980 was an incredible year for me as I met a beautiful girl who would become my wife and some great albums came out like BLACK SABBATH's "Heaven And Hell", AC/DC "Back In Black" , RUSH's "Permanent Waves" and other favourites of mine.

The first three songs blend together and when I hear "Behind The Lines" my favourite on the album it just brings me sheer joy as i'm taken back to a time when life was simpler and when I was having such a blast ! The keys are so good on this song. "Duchess" is another good one while "Guide Vocal" is a short mellow and uplifting song. "Man Of Our Times" features heavy drums and some good keyboard work from Banks. "Misunderstanding" reminds me lyrically of "Fool In The Rain" by LED ZEPPELIN. It also reminds me of SUPERTRAMP's "Give A Little Bit" in that they are both commercial mid paced tunes that were on the radio and drew my attention to both bands in question.

"Heathaze" is another beautiful song with piano and gentle vocals.The song becomes quite passionate. Gorgeous. "Turn It On Again" is a great odd metered song with a really good beat. "Alone Tonight" is such an honest, heartfelt and meaningful song. "Cul-De-Sac" is another song with some nice sounding keys and the vocals get passionate later on. "Please Don't Ask" would fit well on Collin's solo album. "Duke's Travels" is a long instrumental until the vocals come in that recall "Guide Vocal" around 6 minutes in. And "Duke's End" is an instrumental that recalls "Behind The Lines". The first three songs that blend together on this record and these last two were played as one song on their tour in support of the "Duke" record. Some say they initially were going to make these 5 songs a side long suite, but changed their minds.

For me this is a solid 4 star record.