Calling All Stations [CD]

When Phil collins left Genesis before the release of this album, it was met with much unified sadness and disappointment within the group's (mainly) later day pop fans; many of the original prog rock fans that boy-anted the band during the 70's were largely long gone by this stage. Whilst "We can't dance" wasn't a phenomenal album it was certainly a sort-of return to form, a-la Duke period(es) from 1980; but at least Phil didn't do himself the injustice of leaving the band back on the awful "Invisible touch" "Arguably the worst Genesis release" hits album of all time. "Calling all stations" then came to surface in 1997 after the surviving band soldiered on; complete with two new line-up additions, with vocalist Ray Wilson and studio drummer Nid Zidkyahu which fit in nicely into the set. The overall result of Calling all stations is a work of a unmistakably Genesis brand but with also perhaps a confident un-a-bridging exploration into new directions.

At the beginning of "Calling all stations" this is made apparent straight away as the soppy upbeat transcends of the 1980's are replaced by a darker more moody rocking vibe; to-which it is a damn good one too, and a great choice for the album opener. "Congo" radiates more tribal/jungle sounds to begin with in typical-pop fusion but is none-the-less enjoyable for that. Other quality pop/rock numbers is the excellent "Shipwrecked," "There must be some other way" and the somewhat unsatisfactory and pointless "Uncertain weather" -The most genuinely thoughtless Genesis song on the album; even "small talk" has it's merits! -The delightful but typical acoustic ballad formulas of "Not about us" are harmless and indeed quite uplifting after the very dark and claustrophobic "Alien afternoon.

In my opinion, the main strength of this album lies within the "harder-edged" and longer musical pieces of "Alien Afternoon," The dividing line," and the highly underrated "One man's fool." Which border hard rock in places but are stirring enough to invigorate a unique transcend of the soul. They are all definitely Genesis but each of them confidently carry the banner forward to provide some throughly satisfying musical moments. Coincidentally the same three aforementioned songs above are the memorable soundtracks of this album and it is very much a shame more of these cuts did not appear on a continued musical career of this unique Genesis line-up, as indeed (album wise) the band firmly called it a day soon after, in the wake of underwhelming expectations regarding the tour of the album.

Yet, Calling all stations; despite a demonstration of several good musical monuments- is still intensely disliked and forgotten within some realms of the music bizz, media critics and fans a-like. I am of the overall opinion that Calling all stations is a slow burner, in-which the true architect and beauty shine requires much time and patience in-order to appreciate the full all rounded musical experience. While this 2008 remaster adds virtually nothing "production-wise" to the standard 1997 copy, I couldn't recommend this standard 2008 for this reason, but perhaps the 1997 standard or the SACD 2008 + DVD more so. On the whole I think that this is an excellent album and one which I have supported for the past 15 years and will continue to do so for the next 15 years also. I believe most of the distasteful critic surrounding this album is on the whole unfounded and highly superficial for a variety of reasons:.... A re-appraisal and appreciation for the (currently-to-date) last musical document of genesis is, I think in order.

There are some really good tracks on this CD. Whilst a post Phil Collins album, the vocals are good. You wont be disappointed by this purchase.