Genesis - A Trick of the Tail (1976)

Many people see Peter Gabriel as the creative mind behind Genesis, but a few listens to A Trick of the Tale or Wind & Wuthering may quickly dispel that myth for many. This is an oft-overlooked period in Genesis musical history. The band was seemingly searching or grasping for a new identity in the wake of Peter Gabriel’s departure.

Dance of the Volcano is the first evidence that despite the departure of a very creative and pivotal member of their band, Genesis was still on solid footing. One might expect Genesis to be struggling, or that this album might be weaker than its predecessors in light of Gabriel’s absence. In which case, one would be quite wrong in each case. From the opening notes and through the entire CD, Genesis displays a self-assurance that is quite conspicuous in its presence.

Indeed, Phil Collins steps up from behind his drum kit to handle lead vocals with a level of confidence that betrays his relative vocal inexperience. This isn’t a slam on Peter Gabriel, so much as a testament to the band’s adaptability and growth.

Much of their material from this era is lush and full that it might more accurately be described as “soundscapes” than as mere “music.” These aren’t just musicians, they’re artists, your eardrums are their canvas and throughout songs like Entangled, Ripples, and Los Endos they paint vivid and lush musical paintings.

Their continued musical growth is largely attributable to their extremely talented and oft-overlooked guitarist, Steve Hackett. Hackett is a musical chameleon, both as a guitarist and a songwriter. And many, myself included, would argue that Hackett, moreso than Peter Gabriel was the driving creative force behind Genesis. They didn’t truly come into their own until he joined the group in 1973, just in time for their Nursery Cryme album and they maintained a certain level of musical creativity and excellence until his departure following the Wind & Wuthering album.

Another facet of Hackett’s talent was his ability to draw the best out of messrs. Collins, Banks, and Rutherford.

Some may scoff, some may chortle, but songs like Ripples and Los Endos remain some of the best in Genesis long and accomplished canon—both easily stand up to classics from the Peter Gabriel era such as Watcher of the Skies, Supper’s Ready, Firth of Fifth, and Cinema Show.

In lesser bands, the mere level of talent of the individual members of the band led to personality clashes and a certain level of one-upmanship. What made Genesis work so well in the “Hackett-era” was a certain level of musical respect, allowing each member their chance to “shine” and allowing their talents compliment, rather than overshadow that of their bandmates.

While their Foxtrot and Selling England By the Pound albums are considered classics. One would be remiss to leave A Trick of the Tail off that list as it truly is a continuation of meeting the bar set very high by those albums. While not superior to the Peter Gabriel era material, it is certainly equal to it.