A Trick of the Tail
A Trick of the Tail gives Genesis a confident way forward with Phil Collins as lead singer. His warmer delivery suits the melodies without removing the band's taste for unusual stories and detailed arrangements. The record still has a strong progressive character, with the players finding plenty of room inside songs that feel carefully connected.
Dance on a Volcano makes an energetic introduction. Its shifting rhythm, active bass and forceful guitar show a band comfortable with difficult material. Collins handles the vocal without turning it into an imitation of Peter Gabriel. The arrangement has enough urgency to make the instrumental detail feel immediate rather than something to admire from a distance.
Entangled brings out a gentler side. Its softer guitar sound and melodic singing give the arrangement a gentler character. Mad Man Moon gives Tony Banks's piano a larger role, moving through a more elaborate arrangement while keeping the melody in view. These quieter pieces are central to the album's appeal.
Squonk supplies a heavier beat and a strong bass presence, while Ripples develops from a delicate opening into a more involved instrumental passage. The contrast between those approaches helps the record maintain its pace. The musicians can add complexity without making every song feel like a separate test of concentration.
The title track offers something lighter. Its compact shape, lively rhythm and layered voices give it an old-fashioned pop charm. Robbery, Assault and Battery is less convincing. The theatrical delivery recalls Gabriel's approach, but the character is less natural in Collins's voice, and the song does not have the same ease as the surrounding material.
Los Endos gives the instrumental playing a final stretch and brings earlier ideas back into the arrangement. It is an effective ending to a record whose strength lies in the relationships between the musicians. A Trick of the Tail is more rewarding for its atmosphere and construction than for a constant supply of instant hooks, but its best songs make that a comfortable trade. Genesis sound settled enough to move forward without abandoning the detail that made their music distinctive.
