Genesis

Duke

Genesis kicks off the 80s in a big way

Review Score:

(10/10)
I felt compelled to give a brief review of Duke because of the inexplicably negative ones here, so that those new to Genesis or who haven't listened to Duke would know the truth. I first bought this record at the age of 13 a few years after its release, and it has always stood as one of my favorites of the Genesis catalog, as well as among my record collection as a whole. I return to it time and again. As others have pointed out, stylistically it's a transitional album for the group, between their art-rock period and their more pop-oriented era. As such, it has elements of both eras and this is one of its great attributes. This is simply a phenomenal listening experience. It's ear candy from start to finish, with doses of the layered, complex arrangements we love from this band, like "Duke's Travels/Duke's End," to pop tunes like "Turn It on Again" that never get old. It is wholly accessible both to those who might dig Phil Collins' solo stuff and those who are looking for more intelligent and stylish art rock. No it ain't "Lamb Lies Down..." or "Selling England...," but all bands evolve and like those records, "Duke" has its own prominent place in the creative world of Genesis.

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