Turn It on Again: The Hits (Rpkg)

Review by Lonnie E. Holder for Work It on Again: The Hits (Rpkg)Rating: departure of Peter Gabriel, which way that I was listening to top 40 Genesis versus the more challenging music attempted by Peter Gabriel. Despite the want of experiment and depth, Genesis did go out one serviceable song after another, and a few of these songs are excellent.

his CD focuses on the Phil Collins years, which makes sense from the title, "The Hits". As I noted above, Peter Gabriel was stressful for a more cutting edge and artistic sound that some regard to be progressive rock. Typically that character of rock doesn`t work for commercial hits, though the medicine is often artistically better than released singles. The CD also includes one call from the post-Phil Collins years, "Congo". Thus there is at least an effort to represent Genesis throughout the group`s existence.I was surprised to learn more keyboards in these songs than I remembered hearing. One of the characteristics of many popular 80s groups was their heavy reliance on synthesizers and other keyboards, and Generation was no exception. As an example, "Abacab" from 1981 was strongly keyboard oriented.From the title, this CD must concentrate on Genesis` hits, and it certainly does. "Invisible Touch", "I Can`t Dance", "No Son of Mine", and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" are among the numerous top 40 hits that Genesis seemed to boil out regularly throughout the 80s into the early 90s. There is often to heed to from these songs, and it`s the comprehension of these songs that do this CD perfect for the casual fan. However, there is more on this CD."I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" is a reggae-influenced song featuring the original five-member lineup from 1973s "Selling England by the Pound". This song seems a small out of place in comparison to the predominantly middle-of-the-road pop selections featured on this CD. The presentation has a very progressive sound that becomes a season as the song evolves. The full-bodied sound is more choice and ambitious than lots of Genesis` pop music years.Another song that seems a bit out of property is "Congo". This call from the post-Phil Collins CD "Calling All Stations" still retains a pop flavor, but with four members in the card and a styling that could recall Duran Duran at the top of their popularity. I love this call and am tempted to either borrow or buy the CD from which it comes to see whether the early music on that CD is coherent with this song.The lowest out of place song is a 1999 remake of "The Carpet Crawlers" from 1974s "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", hailed by about as a great progressive album. Several other reviewers have declared that this call is a big advance over the original, and wishing the balance of the album would be re-recorded. This song does sound good, but it is not a pop song. In some ways I would take this particular song the better from this entire CD. I have considered buying "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" since it has been compared to other progressive albums I have enjoyed.You live what you are passing to get with a Genesis "hits" CD. The pop was solid, generally very listenable and good; little in the way of breakthrough music. However, at least 3 of the songs give you a nip of the width of which Genesis was capable. For the casual fan that enjoys Genesis` top 40 music, I highly recommend this CD. For those that preferred Genesis before Phil Collins became the lead vocalist, you may wish to get to purchasing the albums from the Peter Gabriel era.