Posts by Fabrizio

Quote from KeithC

The problem today is that anyone with a laptop can create music and distribute it at no cost.

Given the current state of the music industry, that's actually a blessing, in the current paradoxical scenario, young artists gets no venues for gigs, while aging artists, given the collapsing revenues from their albums are literally forced to tour, you can be in Vegas and see Yes and Toto on the same night and at the same venue and I don't know whether to be elated or saddened by it. Having a way and medium to create and distribute their own music, away from records companies, it's actually vital for upcoming artists, if then you are implying that music created in this way is worthless, I would have to disagree, artists like Plini or Polyphia built their careers on Instagram and Youtube, recording at home and boy, can they play. In Peter's case, I don't think age per se is the problem, he probably simply lost interest, when it takes you decades to release an album, that's quite the clear symptom. To me his last, truly great album was US and that was when, mid--90s? After that he got probably distracted by other things.

It's a strange feeling, I'm obviously a big fan and there's a strong sense of anticipation when he releases anything. I WANT to like what he does but objectively, after a few listens, I find very few redeeming qualities in something like Panopticom. He still sounds great and to his credit he seems to be tackling uneasy topics with his lyrics but even the arrangement, an area in which Peter always excelled, sounds unoriginal and trite.

Quote from FeelItComing

I'm not that crazy about either of them to be honest, but I'm sure I will get to like them.

No, neither is top notch, I've been wondering whether my assessment is the result of too long a wait or pent-up expectations but after several listens I simply believe they are average songs.

I find it more engaging than Panopticom which to my ears sounds unbelievably flat and dull but I'm still far from being thrilled.

Quote from Christian

At the time Phil said on more than one occasion that Genesis is Tony and Mike much more than him.

Now that history is written it's always easy to come up with ideas and assumptions, but I believe they never really thought this through when Phil left and didn't give it enough time to evolve.

they should have done some shows first, maybe in an unusual setting (semi-unplugged?), then record the album with Ray and maybe a second one.

It was clear from the beginning that CAS wouldn't be as successful as WCD, but they stopped at least one album too early, in my opionion.

The Ruins show was a special thing, since Queen, Genesis and Floyd did this together. Sadly, it was probably the final moment that caused Phil's decision to leave the band.

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They were a bit clumsy, from a sheer marketing/promotional point of view. They waited too long instead of capitalizing on the buzz generated by Phil's departure, by the time CAS was released only a few cared about it. They should have given up any pretence of commercial success and with that in mind perhaps they could have been a bit more daring with the material. Nick D'Virgilio said in an interview that when he got on board, he was hoping they were going back to their roots a bit more. The tour should have been structured differently, ergo downsized and in hindsight, I don't think that Ray was the right choice, I like his voice and he did a fine job but he doesn't seem to have anything to do with Genesis music, some people were looking forward to him writing more on a possible next album. Personally, I dreaded the thought and I'm even more convinced after having listened to his solo material. I read that Big Big Train, David Langdon, auditioned, he would have been my choice. Great vocalist, somewhere in-between Peter and Phil and clearly, stylistically closer to Tony and Mike than Ray.

Quote from willow

It's a strange and unique release plan, if he sticks to the one-track-per-month-plan. For somebody like me, pretty old school, even stranger ... I prefer to have a single, then the complete album. Now it's all digital singles and an album at some point...

Well, you know Peter, anything he can do to postpone and procrastinate. He has now reached the point where he can pass it as innovation

I just want Phill to be healthy and in good spirit.

Quote from Christian

nobody knows that.

On UP, he used I Grieve that was already used for City Of Angels.

So the possibility is always there, but let's see what comes.

I think Sky Blue had also previously released or was in a soundtrack, incidentally IMO, the best songs on the album but a bit of an anticlimax, after waiting for so long and having announced he had a hundred of songs to pick from.

Quote from Christian

please explain. He did experiment with all sorts of things - for some his music was too experimental. I'm curious what he might come up with next.

Of course he did, massively, his last releases though have been more conventional and it's no criticism, it's just a natural curve. When an artist begins releasing Christmas, American songbook or, like in Peter's case, orchestral albums, these are clear indicators of an artistic period not exactly brimming with creativity and running its natural course and why not? He's had quite the career. His last original material album was 22 years ago and IMO not his best effort and he seems to have lost a bit of interest, so of course, I'll be happy if and when he releases an album but I'm no longer sitting at the edge of my seat.

Quote from Zaar

quite honestly - I don't need a "So 2" and I hope his new album will be a surprise. Having said that, I also hope for strong and powerful songs.

I agree, SO came at a time where he needed something more accessible and commercial, and the whole music industry was all about that. With all of this behind him I should hope Peter just goes his way. That said and being a massive fan, it pains me a bit to say that, I don't think we can no longer expect anything experimental from him. He seems to have lost interest. Not holding my breath.

Quote from Phil Morris

Hackett was out of the country. Though got back in time to rehearse with them the day before the gig.

True but unless I remember incorrectly, they didn't reach out to him. I could be wrong though, anyway, nice of him to show up anyway and lend Peter a helping hand.

I see now that the interview was posted in the thread

If I remember correctly Steve wasn't even invited, he just popped up. I'm not aware of any legal issues between him and the band but there's a video circulating on YouTube of Phil promoting Face Value on a US radio station in which he hints at a couple of statements Steve made and didn't go down well with the band. Compared to other bands the spilt was quite civil but it's fair to assume some hard feelings still lingered on. To this day, even though they always carry themselves as gentlemen and I'm sure it's water under the bridge, when I see them all together, I always have the feeling of Steve being a dissonant voice, there's always a bit of bitterness creeping through the banter.

Quote from The next in line

He's still only 21 so he's loads of time. I'm well pleased he is playing with the mechanics next year I think it's a clever move by Mike to be honest to freshen it up a bit. Looking forward to seeing them.

It was an excellent move by Mike.

Quote from Christian

Well, he also has been working with his own band. This Mechs tour is just a few weeks.

And I guess the money is good, the atmosphere welcoming, relaxed and familiar, the material not at all demanding and if he has a few weeks to spare why not? There is however a point to be made, when you are a young upcoming musician, with playing it too safe and let's be honest on the back of your surname.

I wonder if this is a smart move on his side. He is after all a young musician and has just finished a tour playing his father's part. Now he is embarking on another tour, again playing somebody else's parts, not much room for development there or pushing his own career.

Quote from rkive

I would add Firth of Fifth.

But then it wouldn't be a trinity, would it? Seriously though, there are of course many songs one can think of, those three however and of course it is only my opinion, are something else.

Supper's Ready by far, IMHO together with The Cinema Show and The Musical Box, the ''holy trinity'' of the Genesis Songbook..

I think he released 4 or 5 albums, even Peter has been more prolific. I bought pros and cons, at the time and I didn't rate it very highly. I listened to Amused to death and I never thought it was something to write home about. The only think he did, musically, was milking the Wall ad nauseum when he found out that it could be used as a metaphor for....Well, anything but that's where he was stuck for decades, he never really moved on. I'm sure he has his following but I don't think it's disparaging to say his solo career wasn't exactly relevant. He has been ranting over various topics and feuding with Gilmour over the PF's legacy. He occasionally had a good point to be fair, I never understood why Gilmour's girlfriend could advertise her 'work''' through the Pink Floyd's website or even opine publicly on the band. I found it quite Yoko-like, meaning tacky and tasteless. Anyway, Waters left the band when websites weren't even a thing and after several court battles losses, it was stablished he didn't really have a say in it. He sacked Wright, succeeded in alienating Mason who is his son's godfather, so, quite the unsavory character I'd say with less to say than he believes, a wannabe Chomsky.

He strikes me as one of those people who confuse being a perennial contrarian with being smart. Whenever there's a contentious topic, he'll make it a point to side against the general consensus, looking down on sheep. I've got no time for him.