Trollheart's Album Discography Reviews: Genesis

bob_32_116 · 11-18-2021, 01:48 AM

Ah, Foxtrot. What can I say about this album that has not already been said, and said better, by others?

Just one thing: I always feel sorry for "Can Utility and the Coastliners", being on the same album as "Supper's Ready". The latter is regarded by many as their finest moment, and I would find it hard to disagree. Yet had "Supper" not been present, I think fans would speak of this album as "Wow, that's the one that has Can-Utility and the Coastliners!". "Can" is musically brilliant, and is even better when you study the lyrics deeply. Poor King Canute is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood figures in history. He was not a deluded egomaniac who thought he could order the waves not to advance; rather, he was demonstrating to his followers the limits of his kingly authority, and how trivial his powers were in comparison with the forces of nature. He was a forward-looking individual who understood some things that still seem to elude certain political leaders of the 21st century.

Trollheart · 11-18-2021, 05:07 AM

That is something I did not know, and I pride myself on being a history buff. I must look into that more. If you're right (and I have no reason to doubt you) then I guess I owe poor old Can-Utility an apology.

As for Invisible Touch, it could very well be as you say - Rutherford did go all pop with Mike + the Mechanics (though I'd argue certainly the first, and maybe even the second album in parts was quite prog in a proggy pop way) but I don't see it with Tony. He tried, failed, and decided to go back to his first love, classical. Of all the three driving the new direction, I would still say 90% at least of the blame lies with Collins. Damn him. You can't I guess say he single-handedly turned Genesis from a prog to a pop band, but if he had pursued more the path taken by Gabriel in his solo career, maybe Genesis would not have ended up going as ****e as they did towards the end.

11-18-2021, 05:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	That is something I did not know, and I pride myself on being a history buff. I must look into that more. If you're right (and I have no reason to doubt you) then I guess I owe poor old Can-Utility an apology. As for Invisible Touch, it could very well be as you say - Rutherford did go all pop with Mike + the Mechanics (though I'd argue certainly the first, and maybe even the second album in parts was quite prog in a proggy pop way) but I don't see it with Tony. He tried, failed, and decided to go back to his first love, classical. Of all the three driving the new direction, I would still say 90% at least of the blame lies with Collins. Damn him. You can't I guess say he single-handedly turned Genesis from a prog to a pop band, but if he had pursued more the path taken by Gabriel in his solo career, maybe Genesis would not have ended up going as ***e as they did towards the end. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018*

11-18-2021, 01:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
bob_32_116 Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: 32S 116E Posts: 324	Ah, Foxtrot. What can I say about this album that has not already been said, and said better, by others? Just one thing: I always feel sorry for "Can Utility and the Coastliners", being on the same album as "Supper's Ready". The latter is regarded by many as their finest moment, and I would find it hard to disagree. Yet had "Supper" not been present, I think fans would speak of this album as "Wow, that's the one that has Can-Utility and the Coastliners!". "Can" is musically brilliant, and is even better when you study the lyrics deeply. Poor King Canute is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood figures in history. He was not a deluded egomaniac who thought he could order the waves not to advance; rather, he was demonstrating to his followers the limits of his kingly authority, and how trivial his powers were in comparison with the forces of nature. He was a forward-looking individual who understood some things that still seem to elude certain political leaders of the 21st century.