Calling All Stations (+Bonus DVD) - Genesis

Advantages: Certain songs as good as anything they've ever done.....
Disadvantages: ....but others are scraping the barrel

...Due to the departure of Phil Collins, this album has been largely ignored by a number of casual Genesis fans and by the record buying public at large. It is definitely worth reconsidering , because 9 years on from it's original release, Calling All Stations stands as a good farewell (for the moment!) to Genesis. Ray Wilson's vocal contribution is excellent and adds depth to songs such as the title track, Congo and One Man's Fool, and compliments the darker direction taken on this album. All the elements of Genesis that were loved during the 70's and 80's are still there, they just might not be as obvious as on previous albums. The qualilty control seems to have been a bit lax with the inclusion of songs like Small Talk and Uncertain Weather, but the general standard is good.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A new style with a new lead singer
Disadvantages: Slated by critics and half the CD is pretty bad

...Calling All Stations was the first Genesis album after Phil Collins left the band and the last album they ever made. Slated by the critics, slated by the fans, overlooked even by the completists. That is a little unfair though. To replace Phil Collins, the band brought in Ray Wilson who is best known for being lead singer with Stiltskin who sung "Inside", made famous and catapulted to the top of the charts by Levi advert. Despite Ray's unique voice, a lot of people were turned off by the new sound. I admit that even I was a little unhappy, despite being a big Genesis fan. However, if you listen to the songs, they aren't actually that bad. The lyrics are pretty decent and the music is actually quite melodic and pleasant. Not really classic Genesis, either from the Collins or Gabriel eras...but a whole new blend..a reinvention... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The special version of Carpet Crawlers
Disadvantages: The addition of Congo

...What? No-one has written an opinion on this yet?! Oh well..down to Poodu to write one then! I've been a fan of Genesis for years...mainly because of Phil Collins. I was a fan of Phil Collins when I was much younger and soon found that Phil was lead singer for a band called Genesis. So, I bought a Genesis album. The live album, The Way We Walk - The Shorts. I thought that was great and soon started getting a couple other Genesis albums to go with it...I now have all of the Phil Collins era on tape and CD..plus a couple of LPs including Trick of the Tail, Duke and Abacab. I also bought the Calling All Stations album with Ray Wilson as lead singer when Phil left the band, but the less said about that album for the minute the better! When I heard that a special Greatest Hits album was being released, roughly in time with the Anthology set... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful