Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rlgvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!rlgvax!tom From: tom@rlgvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.music Subject: Re: Gentle Giant (actually Genesis and Peter Gabriel) Message-ID: <696@rlgvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 23-Jun-83 11:15:26 EDT Article-I.D.: rlgvax.696 Posted: Thu Jun 23 11:15:26 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jun-83 00:08:50 EDT References: <215@ihuxt.UUCP> Organization: RLG Corp., Reston, VA Lines: 49 I have not been a Genesis since their personnel changes several years back ("Trick of the Tail" was the start of a headlong rush downhill). No complexity or richness to the music, dull compositions, incredible repetitiveness, insignificant lyrics, generally boring pop. For their peak, try "Selling England By the Pound" (and listen for the puns in the lyrics), "Foxtrot", Nursery Crymes", "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", "Trespass" (perhaps thats not the album title but a song on the album) and earlier albums. However, Peter Gabriel is another story. He was the leader of Genesis before he left back in the 70's. His solo albums have been excellent -- very creative and interesting music, though perhaps a bit avant-guarde for the masses. Its easy to see where the talent went when Genesis lost it. He does concerts at various times (at least here in the East) and is playing in DC in July, though I don't know if its part of a tour. If you get a chance, check him out! Albumwise is as follows. Note that I don't think he titles his albums. "Peter Gabriel I" - with "Salisbury Hill" on it, is probably the most accessible and closest to mainstream rock. It also contains "Here Comes the Flood", a TERRIFIC song. This version of it is excellent but a bit over-produced (as perhaps most of the album is); check out Gabriel singing the same song under a different arrangement and production on Robert Fripp's "Exposure" album (but beware of the rest of "Exposure" if you are not familiar with Fripp!). "II" - is much along the same vein, not as much of the "wall of sound" effect, with "DYI" and "On the Air" being songs that occasionally get played on truly progressive FM stations. "III" - contains his most popular hit "Games Without Frontiers" (I even like the foreign version). "Biko" is another excellent composition (Biko was a South African black leader who died "escaping" out the window of a 6th floor police station during interrogation). Rest of the album also very good. I think that several of the songs join into a theme/story, but I've never heard of anyone else noticing this. Has anyone out there? "IV" - is known for "Shock the Monkey", but my favorite is "Rhythm of the Heat". This album has quite a lot of experimentation with African rhythms. Also interesting is the fact that this album was recorded digitally, yet sells for standard LP prices. The sound quality is superb. I hope others follow up on this trend. I have heard reports of another ex-Genesis member doing excellent solo stuff, but I don't remember who. Can anyone report on this? - Tom Beres, RLG Corp. {seismo, allegra, brl-bmd, we13, mcnc}!rlgvax!tom