I wouldn’t categorize CAS as a footnote, but perhaps an uneven patchwork of ideas rather than a cohesive collection. The band found itself in unfamiliar territory, trying to find its way and forge a new identity. Some of the songs seemed to lack focus and direction, as if the producer lent them free rein and they went forward with undeveloped ideas. Ray Wilson’s timbre and range meant this was going to be a more mellow outing than Collins, but that by no means diminishes the effort. It was just a different animal. Wilson’s vocals are like a comfortable pair of slippers, like a sleepy Paul Carrack. One need only listen to him sing “Roses” with RPWL to get lost in a dream state. It’s a shame that wasn’t a Genesis song. That said, I would have happily welcomed another album with this line up, preferably with Nick D’Virgilio on the entire thing.
Love the title track – its atmosphere, the drumming, the increasing tension, Ray’s vocal performance… I remember back in 2007 at the time of Genesis’s TIOA tour (wow, already ten years ago!) it was grand to watch and here CAS performed live by Ray’s band Stiltskin whereas on the TIOA tour the CAS Album was completely ignored. Ray still plays it nowadays once in a while – still great!
Can’t even get into this album…AT ALL … and believe me as a Genesis fan from waaaaaay back, I’ve tried and tried and tried. I pull it out at least once a year and giver it a spin, hoping things will change. In the end, it just does not click with me.
I didn’t even try this album until a little over a year ago, because I was so convinced it would be awful. Now it’s my second favorite post-Hackett album after Duke. Some of their best-written songs, especially One’s Man Fool and All About Us, and some great playing (Alien Afternoon, Dividing Line). They finally found the right balance.
This album has its moments, but rarely does it really pick up. Songs are often plodding, contain embarrassing (Banksian) lyrics, are completely forgettable, or some combination thereof. The Dividing Line, with its lively beat, is probably the best song. As has been said, perhaps Phil’s biggest contribution was as an arranger, and his absence shows here. Having said that, the podcast has successfully made me rethink songs and albums in the past, so I welcome what you’ll say for this one!
A flawed, but otherwise good album. I would have liked to have heard another album from this lineup. Biggest mistake was not bringing on Chester as a full band member. That would have been interesting.
I think maybe they were a little too over confident in themselves. Because they survived the losses of Peter and Steve, they thought they could carry on without Phil just as easily.
It’s too bad, a new (old) drummer, guitarist and singer may have revitalized them a bit. I think it was too much like starting over for them and they didn’t want to go down that path.
I always think this album will be a strange footnote on the discography of Genesis. There are some very strong songs on the album and Ray’s voice fits very well with the structure of the album. But I can’t help but ask myself why Tony & Mike found it necessary to pursue this project. As a fan I admired their perseverance in carrying on but I think we all knew it would end up as a “one off” project.
Favorite Song: “Shipwrecked.”
B-Side: “Nowhere Else To Turn.”
The Dividing Line is by far the best song, imho. There are really only three quality tracks on the whole cd with One Man’s Fool second and Uncertain Weather being the third song.
Please, please post an episode. I am jonesing for podcast so badly:)
I’m expecting the podcast will delve into the big “what if” of this album: What if David Longdon (now of Big Big Train) had become the vocalist instead of Ray Wilson? It nearly happened.
Just listened again. What IS the deal with all those fade-outs?! That really drives me nuts! Wilson does have a decent voice, true enough, but the songs are all just a little too wordy for my taste. Funny how that never really bothered my when Peter was in the band…
It’s a long time since I heard this album in full, but I remember thinking of almost every track that it was a decent song that could have been better. One man’s Fool, for example, starts off sounding great, but it’s as though there were too many lyrics for the tune, resulting in a kind of cascade of words as it gets near the end.
I seem to recall that the song that grabbed my attention most was Uncertain Weather.
I have mixed emotions about this album like most Gen fans, but I sorely miss Phil as the drummer and arranger. “The Dividing Line” is a prime example of great potential but is lacking Phil’s muscular drum attitude. Ray’s voice is provocative in studio, but less so live, when he lacked that upper emotion gear that Peter and Phil did so well, and had some pitch problems trying to get there. I still take it out to listen now and again for tracks like “Congo” and Calling…”
Great album. No better track than There Must Be a some other Way!! Looking forward to the podcast.
A tougher choice than I would have expected from such a flawed album. That said, I’ll go with “Shipwrecked”.
Ray’s vocal on the title track are awesome.
Absolutely love “not about us”, this whole album is great…very much a hidden gem
Great song, especially live.
The chord changes in the chorus.
This is the best song on the album. It is a real showcase for Ray Wilson.
I wouldn’t categorize CAS as a footnote, but perhaps an uneven patchwork of ideas rather than a cohesive collection. The band found itself in unfamiliar territory, trying to find its way and forge a new identity. Some of the songs seemed to lack focus and direction, as if the producer lent them free rein and they went forward with undeveloped ideas. Ray Wilson’s timbre and range meant this was going to be a more mellow outing than Collins, but that by no means diminishes the effort. It was just a different animal. Wilson’s vocals are like a comfortable pair of slippers, like a sleepy Paul Carrack. One need only listen to him sing “Roses” with RPWL to get lost in a dream state. It’s a shame that wasn’t a Genesis song. That said, I would have happily welcomed another album with this line up, preferably with Nick D’Virgilio on the entire thing.
Love the title track – its atmosphere, the drumming, the increasing tension, Ray’s vocal performance… I remember back in 2007 at the time of Genesis’s TIOA tour (wow, already ten years ago!) it was grand to watch and here CAS performed live by Ray’s band Stiltskin whereas on the TIOA tour the CAS Album was completely ignored. Ray still plays it nowadays once in a while – still great!
Dividing line is sort of progressive and has some great drumming. I actually think the album is decent overall.
One Man’s Fool – The album’s Epic track – atmospheric and eerie – with a classic Genesis resolution.
This is the most Tony track on the album.
Not really a proper Genesis album.
Can’t even get into this album…AT ALL … and believe me as a Genesis fan from waaaaaay back, I’ve tried and tried and tried. I pull it out at least once a year and giver it a spin, hoping things will change. In the end, it just does not click with me.
I didn’t even try this album until a little over a year ago, because I was so convinced it would be awful. Now it’s my second favorite post-Hackett album after Duke. Some of their best-written songs, especially One’s Man Fool and All About Us, and some great playing (Alien Afternoon, Dividing Line). They finally found the right balance.
Of course, I meant *Not* About Us.
With 8 non-LP tracks, this is gonna be a long show. 😛
This album has its moments, but rarely does it really pick up. Songs are often plodding, contain embarrassing (Banksian) lyrics, are completely forgettable, or some combination thereof. The Dividing Line, with its lively beat, is probably the best song. As has been said, perhaps Phil’s biggest contribution was as an arranger, and his absence shows here. Having said that, the podcast has successfully made me rethink songs and albums in the past, so I welcome what you’ll say for this one!
Totally agree what hurt Genesis the most in Phil leaving was his role as the arranger.
He was the middle man and could see how bits from Mike or Tony could work together, or steer them in different directions.
Without Phil, mike and tony had more free range so to speak and didn’t have an independent voice during the recording process.
A flawed, but otherwise good album. I would have liked to have heard another album from this lineup. Biggest mistake was not bringing on Chester as a full band member. That would have been interesting.
I think maybe they were a little too over confident in themselves. Because they survived the losses of Peter and Steve, they thought they could carry on without Phil just as easily.
It’s too bad, a new (old) drummer, guitarist and singer may have revitalized them a bit. I think it was too much like starting over for them and they didn’t want to go down that path.
I always think this album will be a strange footnote on the discography of Genesis. There are some very strong songs on the album and Ray’s voice fits very well with the structure of the album. But I can’t help but ask myself why Tony & Mike found it necessary to pursue this project. As a fan I admired their perseverance in carrying on but I think we all knew it would end up as a “one off” project.
Favorite Song: “Shipwrecked.”
B-Side: “Nowhere Else To Turn.”
The Dividing Line is by far the best song, imho. There are really only three quality tracks on the whole cd with One Man’s Fool second and Uncertain Weather being the third song.
Please, please post an episode. I am jonesing for podcast so badly:)
I’m expecting the podcast will delve into the big “what if” of this album: What if David Longdon (now of Big Big Train) had become the vocalist instead of Ray Wilson? It nearly happened.
Just listened again. What IS the deal with all those fade-outs?! That really drives me nuts! Wilson does have a decent voice, true enough, but the songs are all just a little too wordy for my taste. Funny how that never really bothered my when Peter was in the band…
I voted for The Dividing Line because how great it works live.
There Must Be Some Other Way is a close second just for Tony’s keyboard solo.
Honestly I think most of the better songs was the ones that didn’t make the album (and wasn’t included to vote on).
Nowhere Else to Turn, 7/8 and Anything Now are my favorites. If it wasn’t for the lyrics, Sign Your Life Away would be up there too.
It’s a long time since I heard this album in full, but I remember thinking of almost every track that it was a decent song that could have been better. One man’s Fool, for example, starts off sounding great, but it’s as though there were too many lyrics for the tune, resulting in a kind of cascade of words as it gets near the end.
I seem to recall that the song that grabbed my attention most was Uncertain Weather.
Yep. Misses Phil’s pop arranger sensibilities.
I have mixed emotions about this album like most Gen fans, but I sorely miss Phil as the drummer and arranger. “The Dividing Line” is a prime example of great potential but is lacking Phil’s muscular drum attitude. Ray’s voice is provocative in studio, but less so live, when he lacked that upper emotion gear that Peter and Phil did so well, and had some pitch problems trying to get there. I still take it out to listen now and again for tracks like “Congo” and Calling…”