DUKE

When this album was released, I was hospitalized - not because of listening to this album - terrified and then getting sick; but it's because of motorcycle accident I experienced. During my one week stay in the hospital, I only brought the cassettes of Duke, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound, Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti" with me. Rocker man! I cannot live without rock music, even though hospitalized! And I don't know why I played Duke cassette more than any other cassette. And you know what was my favorite during walkman listening pleasure at my bed? "Cul-De-Sac" man! To tell you straight from the heart, this short song is truly masterpiece! It has great melody (even it's killing!), tight structure, creative keyboard / piano work and excellent Phil Collins singing. It starts wonderfully with Phil's voice: "Wake up now, this is the time you've waited for .." continued with keyboard / piano layer with an excellent melody. I like it man. It's a combination of energetic music and touchy melody. This song accompanied me when I was in bed and it continued as my favorite even until now when I'm reviewing this album - I still like it.

The album opener is an excellent trilogy: "Behind The Lines - Duchess - Guide Vocal" is an excellent introduction to the album. Yes, this kind of music is not a typical early Genesis music but it shares a similar basic component. "Behind The Lines" (5:43) is an upbeat tempo music full with energy and accentuation combining wonderful drumming by Phil Collins and multi-layered keyboard sounds by Tony Banks, augmented by guitar solo at background. "Duchess" (6:25) starts off with a nice transition piece using keyboard. It's a nice tune and it ends up with "Guide Vocal" (1:21) in mellow style.

"Man Of Our Times" (5:34) is a rocker with hard driving rhythm using powerful drumming, combined with stunning keyboard work and Phil's excellent voice. "Heathaze" (4:57) is a melancholic song with excellent melody. Tracks like "Misunderstanding", "Turn It On Again", "Alone Tonight" do not really attract me at all. But it's OK I can tolerate this.

What's so important about this album is the concluding tracks that must be enjoyed in its entirety: "Duke's Travels" (8:39) and "Duke's End" (3:08). It starts with an ambient opening exploring the keyboard and cymbals sounds in a beautiful way. What's so enjoyable is when drum work enters and brings the music into crescendo. Oh man .. It's really great. Especially when the music is played in full blown fashion featuring Tony Bank's wonderful keyboard solo. Drum work by Phil Collins is truly stunning. It's a well composed music with touchy melody. Oh yes, Tony Banks creates killing melodies with his keyboard solo. I usually play this song in LOUD volume to ensure drum sounds existence in the music. WOW! The climax is when the howling guitar enters the music at approx minute 5:50, just before Phil fills in with his voice. Greaaaatttt!!! "I am the one who guided you this far, All you know and all you feel .". Genesis rules! "Duke's End" continues seamlessly as final track of the album with some chords of "Behind The Lines".

Yes, I know there are some bad tracks bad I still consider this album, overall, is an excellent one. The composition is tight, the melody is killing and it has strong structure. Regardless your categorization about this album as not a truly prog album, it does not really matter to me. Because at the end, music is what that counts. And, this album stimulates my emotion in a positive way. Keep on proggin' ..!!

Progressively yours, GW

" I call you for I must leave, You're on your own until the end. There was a choice but now it's gone, I said you wouldn't understand, Take what's yours and be damned."

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