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Invisible Touch

Genesis - Invisible Touch Audio CD

A fair review of the Genesis "Invisible Touch" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Genesis reviews here, or go back to the Genesis tabs.

Band: Genesis
Title: Invisible Touch
Rating:

Release Date: 2007-11-20
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Invisible Touch 2: Tonight, Tonight, Tonight 3: Land of Confusion 4: In Too Deep 5: Anything She Does 6: Domino: In the Glow of the Night/The Last Domino 7: Throwing It All Away 8: Brazilian 9: Invisible Touch [Dolby Digital Surround Sou 10: Tonight, Tonight, Tonight [Dolby Digital Su 11: Land of Confusion [Dolby Digital Surround S 12: In Too Deep [Dolby Digital Surround Sound] 13: Anything She Does [Dolby Digital Surround S 14: Domino: In the Glow of the Night/The Last Domino [DTS Surround Sr 15: Throwing It All Away [Dolby Digital Surroun 16: Brazilian [Dolby Digital Surround Sound] 17: Invisible Touch [Dolby Digital Surround 18: Tonight, Tonight, Tonight[Dolby Digita 19: Land of Confusion [Dolby Digital Surrou 20: In Too Deep [Dolby Digital Surround Sou 21: Anything She Does [Dolby Digital Surrou 22: [Bonus Material] [*] [DVD] [DTS Surround Sround] [Dolby Digital Surroun

A solid '80s pop record; as far as '80s pop goes, this is one of the best
From the early Bee Gees inspired days (1968-1969) to the progressive rock days of Peter Gabriel (1970-1975) to the progressive rock/pop of Phil Collins' early-to-mid years in the band (1976-1984) to now. Genesis have changed so much over the years it's not even funny. In 1986, Genesis released their immensely successful 'Invisible Touch' album, their most successful album to date.

By 1986, Collins was clearly the dominant member of Genesis, although every group member contributes something. Banks, Collins and Rutherford are dynamite in terms of composition: As far as pop music goes, this is a masterpiece of an album. 'Land of Confusion' is insightful and meaningful. Mike Rutherford never has been noted as a great guitar player (but rather as a bassist), but as far as guitar playing goes, Rutherford certainly doesn't sound too bad here.

Another thing to note is this album spawned their only US #1 hit with the title track. But it is well deserving; Tony Banks delivers some mighty fine synth lines on this track. This is probably the best pop song on the album.

But my personal favorite song on the album is 'The Brazilian,' a 5-minute instrumental. And while Collins doesn't really drum on this one (it features a drum machine programming, like much of the album, for the most part) it is probably the closest thing to '70s Genesis on the album, although at times, the 11-minute 'Domino' reminds one of the 1970s era, prog rock Genesis.

But despite my positive words, I only give this album three stars. That may seem somewhat harsh to one, but to me, it's perfectly reasonable. Why, you may ask?

Well, there's plenty of filler here is my problem. 'Anything She Does,' although a hit in Britain and a minor hit in the US, is clearly filler. It's not a terrible song, but it's normally not up to Genesis' standards. Instead, the instrumental 'Do the Neurotic' or perhaps 'Feeding the Fire' should have appeared in it's place. Both appear on the 'Archive #2: 1976-1992' 3-CD box set, which I strongly recommend.

Same for 'In Too Deep. ' While this was a massive hit for the band, it's definitely the weakest song on the album. It's right up there as my least favorite Genesis song. To me, it would have sounded better on a Phil Collins solo album. Had this appeared on 'No Jacket Required,' I think this would have fit perfectly. I know many people love it, but personally, I just never could really get into it.

'Tonight Tonight Tonight' and 'Throwing it All Away,' were massive hits for Genesis on both sides of the Atlantic. They are good songs, especially the unedited version of 'Tonight Tonight Tonight,' with Tony Banks' keyboard solo in the middle. His playing here could remind one of 'Duke' (1980)-era Genesis. And 'Throwing it All Away' certainly isn't a bad song at all; it's not one of my personal favorites, but it's certainly a good song and deserving of it's mega-hit status.

Overall, I think 'Invisible Touch' has it's moments; 'Domino,' the title track and 'The Brazilian' really shine on this 1986 pop album. And as I said, as far as pop albums go, this one is a masterpiece; it puts ABBA to shame for sure. I will admit, this album definitely has it's moments, and I think it can get wrongfully ignored by longtime Genesis fans just because of it's status as the "Phil Collins solo album with the Genesis name" album. Which it really isn't.

But, in all fairness, three stars is certainly deserving for 'IT. ' There's four really good pop songs here, two good songs, and two songs that are just filler and really don't deserve to appear on this album.

I recommend this album to any Genesis fan of the '80s, but if you are a strict '70s and early '80s era Genesis fan, I don't recommend it. This is not the same band that released 'Foxtrot' 14 years earlier, as I'm sure everyone knows. But, as far as pop albums go, this one's a masterpiece.

Genesis: Invisible Touch
The next is "Invisible Touch". The worst Genesis album is the very first (Genesis to Revelations). The song "Land of Confusion" is the only gem here. Kind of regret buying it just to complete the collection.

Poorly done REMIX album
It is an ill-conceived remix with brittle, compressed sound and cold, isolated instrumentation. This is not the original "Invisible Touch" album. The choices over what to elevate and what to supress in the mix are baffling. The results are bloodless, dumbed-down audio for cheap mp3 headsets. The band should be embarrassed.

genisis-Invisible Touch
The second contained the DVD Visual Music Video's.
1st: I received TWO disks in the package. I, myself, extremely wanted to possess the music video to "Land of Confusion". When this CD arrived and I found the bonus CD I was at the top of the world.

2nd: The Quality of the music through my Sony sound system is Outstanding. Plus the Video patch to my 42" Sharp LED HDTV is remarkable.

Sparkling remaster of 80s hits
Chorus" Collins, so spare the rhapsodies to "A Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" and the emptiness of my life without it. This is the only Genesis album I've ever had (yes I know, there was a Genesis before Phil "Mr. . . ); and I had in on vinyl (he wrote, instantly revealing his age. . . ).

The LP disappeared years ago so I hadn't heard any of these tracks except on "classic" radio. So it was a pleasant surprise to find this album remastered with said remastering so expertly done.

While Collins' relentless mediocrity and pursuit of the lowest common denominator makes most of his music unpalatable to me, "Invisible Touch" is a pop classic. The tight rhythm and the heart-felt lyric (at least, this heart has felt it) makes for an infectious pop confection.

If not done as well, the rest of the album follows in pretty much the same vein. If you had it back in the day, this remaster is well worth the price for a slice of 80s memorabilia, if nothing else.

You can see a complete list of all Genesis discography, or go back to the Genesis tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.