Genesis - (1998) Not About Us

Genesis - (1998) Not About Us

Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 1998

Track Listings


1. Not about us (Radio edit) (4:04)
2. Anything now (6:58)
3. Sign your life away (4:44)
4. Run out of time (6:07)

Total time 21:53
Line-up/Musicians


- Tony Banks / Keyboards, vocals
- Mike Rutherford / Bass, guitar, vocals
- Ray Wilson / Vocals
- Nir Z / Drums

Genesis - (1997) Congo

Genesis - (1997) Congo

Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 1997

Losing their way

"Congo" was the first single to be taken from the post Collins era "Calling all stations" album. Lead vocals are thus in the hands of Ray Wilson, previously of Stiltskin. The song is certainly commercially orientated, but the tribal rhythms and apparently banal lyric's did little to endear those who still purchased singles to the new music of this old band, and the release only briefly entered the UK top 30.

As had quickly become the custom for single releases, the various formats offered different additional tracks. The CD version has an extract from the magnificent "Home by the sea", presumably taken from a studio rehearsal for the then forthcoming tour. This is of passing interest only, since the definitive versions featuring Phil Collins were already available in studio and live format. Also included is a PC multi-media section with the promotional video for the single, and interviews with the three band members.

Ironically, it is the cassette version which is greater interest though. Although the title track is an edited version, here we have two other tracks which were omitted from "Calling all stations", and are otherwise unavailable. "Papa he said" is slightly reminiscent of "I can't dance", the funky backbeat suiting Wilson's style of delivery, but the song itself was left off the album for all too obvious reasons. "Banjo man" does indeed feature that instrument, but the overall sound is prosaic, with Wilson's vocals once again being the dominant feature.

These two (thankfully) rare tracks only serve to emphasise how desperate Rutherford and in particular Banks were becoming to rekindle the formula for a hit single. The philosophy here is clearly keep is as simple as possible, and it will sell in vast quantities. Unfortunately, in the process they completely forgot that you still have to come up with a decent tune.

UK CD
1. Congo (4:51)
2. Second home by the sea (edited version) (4:56)
3. Enhanced CD section with "Congo" video, Interview with Ray Wilson, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, Digital animation of stage set design

Total time (audio) 9:47

US CD
1. Congo (edit) (3:13)
2. Congo (4:51)
Total time 8:04

UK Cassette
1. Congo (edit) (3:13)
2. Papa he said (4:07)
3. Banjo man (4:20)
Total time 10:40

Line-up/Musicians:
- Tony Banks / Keyboards, vocals
- Mike Rutherford / Bass, guitar, vocals
- Ray Wilson / Vocals
- Nir Z / Drums

Genesis - Rare tapes cd 5

Genesis - Rare tapes cd 5

1. In The Cage-In That Quiet Earth-Supper's Ready (1986-10-15)
2. Mama (1992-05-09)
3. Carpet Crawlers (1992-10-23)
4. Nowhere Else To Turn (unreleased b-side) 1997
5. Small Talk (1997-12-13)
6. That's All (1998-01-23)
7. Hold On My Heart (1998-01-29)

Genesis - (1997) Calling All Stations

Genesis - (1997) Calling All Stations

Studio Album, released in 1997

Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford decided to continue the Genesis name without Phil Collins. They brought into the fold a new singer named Ray Wilson who has a smooth, almost husky sounding voice. His voice is nice, but very different for Genesis-style music. The result of all this was the 1997 release of Calling All Stations.

Banks and Rutherford didn't return Genesis to their progressive rock roots (as was rumored at the time), nor did they continue in the exact same direction Collins had taken the group. They sort of took a new angle to pop rock with ever-so-slight prog tendencies. Unfortunately, the result did not fare well among pop rock fans, prog rock fans, or any fans in general. For me, Genesis now sounded like it had more in common with Alan Parsons (without the Project) in musical style. Basically pop rock songs (that sometimes went on longer than they should), with uninspired keyboard atmospherics (rather than the melodic playing we all loved from Banks), and uninspired drumming (I know some reviewers will disagree with that, but it really is uninspired). Why they didn't take advantage of the skills of Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard) is beyond me. I'm sure Nick enjoyed playing with Tony and Mike, but I have to wonder if he ever thought in the back of his mind that this was some really boring stuff. At least it was good for his resumé (I think?).

For all practical purposes, this shouldn't even be considered a Genesis album. It has the feel of a collaborative project that Banks and Rutherford were a part of and lacks the cohesiveness of prior Genesis albums, even the bad ones. I've had this album for 10 years now and still wonder why I have it. Every time I try to give it another chance, I find myself skipping midway through every song. That has its advantages of course. I can listen to the whole album now in 15 minutes or less depending on how much brain degradation I'm willing to put up with. One star.

Track Listings

1. Calling All Stations (5:43)
2. Congo (4:50)
3. Shipwrecked (4:22)
4. Alien Afternoon (7:50)
5. Not About Us (4:37)
6. If That's What You Need (5:12)
7. The Dividing Line (7:44)
8. Uncertain Weather (5:28)
9. Small Talk (5:01)
10. There Must Some Other Way (7:53)
11. One Man's Fool (8:45)

Total Time: 67:25
Line-up/Musicians

- Tony Banks / keyboards
- Nick D'Virgilio / drums and percussion - tracks 4 (first half), 6, 8, 9; B-sides 6
- Mike Rutherford / lead guitar, bass guitar
- Ray Wilson / lead vocals, backing vocals
- Nir Zidkyahu / drums and percussion