The 80’s were jam packed with some of the best bands of their time, people who changed music in ways that we will never fully appreciate. When one thinks of the 80’s one tends to conjure images of bands like Duran Duran, Madonna, Sting, Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie and more. One band that always comes to the forefront is Genesis and that band is the subject of today’s Stand Out Albums.
Why This Album?
Starting in 1967, the Band Genesis would begin with a very different lineup and a very different sound. Founded by Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford and Chris Stewart, this band was much more experimental in the Jethro Tull/Moody Blues style of music indicative of the late 60’s/ early 70’s.
It wouldn’t be until 1975 when lead singer Peter Gabriel left the band, that drummer Phil Collins would step in and take the band to a whole new level. Don’t get me wrong, Gabriel is a talented guy but when most people think of Genesis, it is Phil they think of and that is where today’s album comes in.
Fresh off his solo album, No Jacket Required, Phil returned to the studio with Genesis founding members Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks and produced the album Invisible Touch. To me, this was the album that not only introduced me to Genesis but to Phil Collins himself. Each track on the album would forever be burned into my young impressionable mind, forever cementing Genesis as a band I would appreciate for the rest of my life. It was one of the few ‘modern’ bands that my father and I could listen to together bridging his fandom of the old version and my new found fandom of the current.
The album itself is a very clean, very polished work of art with every song placed at just the right spot. The songs deal with toxic relationships, distrust in the government and even fear of losing everything in life. If listened to in its entirety, it is an emotional journey layered over bright and upbeat synth pop provided by the amazing Tony Banks on the keyboard.
Many people feel that this is more Phil Collins than Genesis but, if you listen to No Jacket Required and Invisible Touch back to back, you can definitely feel the difference between Collins solo work and his work with Genesis. There is a certain depth in Genesis that Collins solo work touches on but never goes In Too Deep. There is almost the feel of uncertainty coupled with mystery in the album evoking an emotion I can’t quite put my finger on and that may be why I keep coming back to this incredible album.
Favorite Tracks
The first one, of course, is Land of Confusion. This song and it’s incredible music video (below) was a mainstay for me in my youth. It both frightened and delighted me every time I saw the video but the music, even though it touched on the fear of our government and the people, it also gave some semblance of hope. It is just as impactful now as it was some 32 years ago.
Domino is a fascinating tune, consisting of two parts that contradict and complement one another creating a gorgeous tune.
In To Deep is one of the most romantic and sad songs of its time, and one that was probably played at every dance in 1986.
The final track on the album is possibly my favorite. With No lyrics, only the amazing music by the band. It almost feels like it could be the theme song to a cool 80’s film or tv show. This is The Brazilian:
Ok, Where do I get it?
Oddly enough, this is a rather difficult album to find new but if you look, you can certainly find it used at a reasonable price. In the meantime, check it out on Spotify. It’s pretty great.
Late to the Game 9/22/2020
Thanks for reading, If you would like to read more reviews I have a weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and also check out some retro tv goodness with the ongoing series Retro TV Reviews here. You can also find a few of my other Music Reviews Here.
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Late to the Game Blog 