GENESIS

This album brings good memories for me as this was released at the same time when the ground breaking "So here I am once more .." thing by Marillion was proudly released. So what was it? Where is the connection? There was a very strong connection between this album by Genesis with Marillion's "Script for a Jester's Tear". Some people said that Marillion was heavily influenced by Genesis and people who just known Genesis only know Genesis from this latest release where they are very familiar with "Mama" or "Illegal Alien" which were radio hits at that time when I was in Bandung doing my industrial engineering study. The impact was enormous, you know. Some people who love the new album of Genesis from the radio wanted to have Marillion "Script" album as some references said that Marillion was influenced by Genesis. Some were disappointed because the two are different but some really like both for a variation. That what happened around my surroundings at that time.

Let's talk about this album. Yeah, it's not typical oldies of Genesis like "Selling England" or "Wind and Wuthering" but this album was for me as a reference whenever I wanted to promote the music of Genesis for those who never heard Genesis yet. Usually I went straight to track 3 "Home By The Sea" continued seamlessly to "Second Home By The Sea". 90% of my friends like it at first spin of my cassette (I had no CD at all at that time - too expensive for a poor student like me who went to campus by bicycle or walking). ANd after that usually I brought them to a Genesis cover band Cockpit live show at Gelora Saparua to broaden his listening experience. I then lent him a cassette of Selling England By The Pound. From this entry point, Genesis was becoming popular for my friends. Usually people love "Mama" because it has great and accessible keyboard work by Tony banks augmented with powerful drumming by Phil Collins.

I never consider this album as prog but I have to admit that this album is a very good straight forward pop rock music. My best favorite track is "Just A Job To Do". Why? I'm a workshop faciltator / trainer so whenever I run a workshop and after I give assignment by group for my audience I always play this song to energize the team. It's a very energetic music with medium-fast upbeat tempo and the lyrics are really good and suitable for work team assignment. The other track that I also like is "Home By The Sea - Second Home By The Sea" as I like Tony Banks' keyboard work as well as dazzling drum work by Phil Collins. "It's Gonna Get Better" is a pop song which has a very encouraging lyrics - and this track is another option for running workshop especially when the teams were facing stumbling block with their work / idea. "It's gonna get better ..." is a perfect lyric for the teams, really. "Illegal Alien" is also a good song with an upbeat tempo. I like it.

Definitely, this is not Genesis' best album but it's a very good one to have for a change. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW