Genesis

Duke

The End Began Here

Review Score:

(6/10)
On one hand, Duke features lots of upbeat, catchy, hook-laden songs. It even boasts two radio staples: "Misunderstanding" and "Turn It On Again."

Yet, this isn't the Genesis I knew and loved. And I have a very hard time getting into this Pop Radio band that still flies the Genesis banner.

Interestingly, "Duchess" contains rhythm and drum sounds that were to become ubiquitous with Genesis and Phil Collins songs for the next 10 years. It's interesting here in its infancy. But that sound quickly began to rub me the wrong way the more I heard it.

My favorite tracks include the aforementioned "Duchess," "Man Of Our Times," "Duke's Travels" and -- God help me -- "Turn It On Again," although that's about as far from the Genesis of old as any song could get.

I think Duke falls somewhere between the old Genesis and the new Genesis. Consequently, it's liable to be overlooked by the fans of the Phil Collins-era band...and despised by the fans of the Peter Gabriel-era band. In other words, Duke as likely as not falls through the cracks.

Now, I can't say for sure if that's good or bad. Overall, there's not much on Duke that I can listen to repeatedly, so I'm inclined to think it's not a bad thing Duke is often overlooked.

Cool album graphics, though.

More Reviews: