Vote for your favorite song, and the results will be revealed in our episode about the album!
What is Your Favorite Track on “Strictly Inc.”?
Tabletop Genesis
Let's talk about Genesis!
Vote for your favorite song, and the results will be revealed in our episode about the album!
None. Dreadful album
I wonder if I’ll ever “get” why , apart from the beautiful A Curious Feeling, I can’t connect with any of his solo work.
The sounds feel cheesy, the music trying to be pop.. is that the same guy who came in with One For The Vine , all ready on piano? Heathaze/heetaaze 😆 ?
This isn’t even fair. An Island in the darkness is far and away the best track on this album. Best Banks solo track? Possibly!
If ever there was an instance where a poll should be multiple choice, this is it!
I really wanted to give props to “Only Seventeen”, “Serpent Said”, and “A Piece of You”, but I had to go with “Island”, and I expect it to be the runaway winner – even though I think it’s flawed. This track harks back to the sound of the “Curious Feeling” album, yet also points the way to Tony’s later and very successful (IMO) foray into classical style music.
Why did Tony “Casio Tone” Banks Even bother after A Curious Feeling? Everything sounds like a keyboard demo.
Best solo track of his and second best solo album. My favorite is Still, love the variety of songs and singers on Still. I may be bias as Marillion is my favorite band.
I love Strictly Inc. I am a huge fan of Tony’s solo projects personally. This album should’ve gotten more radio play with songs like Charity Balls and Strictly Incognito. And An Island In The Darkness is classic Tony
This is probably my favorite of all of Tony’s solo albums. I listened to it constantly as I drove to and from a summer internship in the summer of ’96. Like most of Tony’s work, it gets better with repeat listening. Every track has something to offer, but for me the vote had to go to “Never Let Me Know.” More than any other Tony song, it’s lyrics keep coming into my head. I love the way the lyrics begin with a description of everyday, unremarkable things (“the clock is on the wall”) and only gradually is the heartbreak of the narrator revealed – all to a rhythm that at first seem simple but soon becomes relentless. The song never fails to move me.
An Island in the Darkness is far and away the stand out track. It almost sounds like an outtake from A Curious Feeling, my favorite or Tony’s solo works.
Thanks to Michael Lord and the Tabletop Genesis crew for all they do and for encouraging me to dig deeper into my favorite band.
Tony Banks is an extraordinary and influential composer and keyboardist.
He is not recognized for his vocals and lyrics.
Having finally listened to Strictly Inc., my first thought is every song would be vastly improved with Ray Wilson, Phil or Peter handling the vocals.
My favorites tracks are “Strictly Incognito” (about the dangers of 14 year jailbait) and Don’t Turn Your Back on Me (referencing a Sumo Wrestler and, of course, another Alien).
And who else hears very familiar Duke sounds in “An Island in the Darkness” and Phil-style percussion on “Walls of Sound”?
Ultimately, I will always be grateful for Tony Bank’s massive contribution to the soundtrack of my life. No wonder “The Brazilian” and “Firth of Fifth” are among my very favorite tunes.