Genesis Archives - The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

Sep72011 by Chris Holmes3 Comments

My favorite music: 1983

Music

If there's one thing the internet lacks, it's pointless music lists. So to fill that void, here's a sampling of my favorite albums from some random year. Let's say, 1983. (Spotify users, check out the accompanying playlist and subscribe!) Robert Plant, The Principle of Moments -- While I would in no way claim that Robert Plant's solo output bests Led Zeppelin's music, a lot of times I simply prefer to listen to Plant. In fact I'd say that Plant has enjoyed one of the most artistically rewarding solo careers of any artist who was part of a popular band that I can think of. The Principle of Moments is probably my favorite Plant solo effort (next to Fate of Nations) -- he sounds freed from the constraints of creating larger-than-life rock and the music just crackles with energy. "In the...

Aug242011 by Chris Holmes1 Comment

Listening Booth — Peter Gabriel at Rock Werchter, 1983

Listening Booth, Music

Another day, another listening booth, another great concert for your listening enjoyment. Today I offer up a recording of Peter Gabriel at the seventh annual Rock Werchter festival in Belgium. Gabriel took the stage on July 3 with four solo albums behind him, most recently 1982's Peter Gabriel (aka Security in America). Gabriel was already popular in his native Britain after his time as the lead singer of Genesis, but was just now on the verge of stardom in America thanks to the "Shock the Monkey" single. Remember, although everyone loves "Solsbury Hill" now it wasn't a hit when it was released in 1977. Gabriel and his band are in excellent form here, and the mixture of songs from the first four LPs is great. We even get a preview of "We Do What We're Told (Milgram's 37)," which wasn...

Jul212011 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Pop Culture Capsule — July 20-26, 1986

Capsules, History

Here's a look at America's top movies, music, and books for the week of July 20-26, 1986. TV was in summer rerun mode, but it was pretty much all about The Cosby Show anyway. I remember most of these things (except the books), but I had no idea Patti LaBelle hit #1 over Janet Jackson and Peter Gabriel. Good for her! Top 10 Movies 1. Aliens 2. The Karate Kid Part II 3. Ruthless People 4. Top Gun 5. Back to School 6. About Last Night... 7. Ferris Bueller's Day Off 8. Legal Eagles 9. Running Scared 10. The Great Mouse Detective Top 10 Albums 1. Patti LaBelle, Winner in You 2. Janet Jackson, Control 3. Peter Gabriel, So 4. Top Gun soundtrack 5. Genesis, Invisible Touch 6. Billy Ocean, Love Zone 7. Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston 8. Bob Seger, Like a Rock 9. The Moody Blue...

Jun202011 by blerd4 Comments

Why the Hell Should I Like… Rush? (The Rebuttal)

Music

“Why the hell should I like… ?” is an experiment of sorts between Popblerd and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. What we’re going to attempt to do is to pick 10 songs from our favorite artists — one for which the other has professed dislike or disinterest — and show them why they’re wrong. So, first of all, I've gotta give props to Mr. Gray Flannel Suit, not only for agreeing to collaborate with me on this series but also for rocking a gray flannel suit in the heat of summer. That's dedication. I don't dislike Rush. I just don't know much about them. Prior to listening to the list of songs that was selected for me, I had exactly ONE Rush song in an iTunes library that just recently crossed the 43,000-song mark -- "Tom Sawyer." No excuses -- I was brought up on Top 40 (and urban)...

Jun12011 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

My favorite music: 1972

Music

If there's one thing the internet lacks, it's pointless music lists. So to fill that void, here's a sampling of my favorite albums from some random year. Let's say, 1972. Fleetwood Mac, Bare Trees -- Oh sure, I love Rumours as much as the next person. But there's something about this particular, pre-Buckingham/Nicks incarnation of the band that speaks to me. Bare Trees is a bit uneven in spots but I keep coming back to it just the same. That said, the original version of Bob Welch's "Sentimental Lady" found on this record is far superior to the 1977 hit single version. Steely Dan, Can't Buy a Thrill -- I don't care if Donald Fagen and Walter Becker want to disown this record, I love it and I know a ton of Dan fans love it. Like all classic Steely Dan records, the hits are only part o...

Apr132011 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Pop Quiz — Progressive Rock Song or Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel?

Books, Music

[mtouchquiz 1 singlepage='on' showanswers='end']

Mar172011 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Platters that matter: 20 albums that changed my life (#10—#1)

Listcruft, Music

At long last, I present the conclusion of my list of 20 albums that have had the most impact on me and my love of music. For a brief refresher, you can check the back half of the top 20 here. But for your convenience, here's the list: #20 — Queen, The Game #19 — Seals & Crofts, Summer Breeze #18 — Kiss, Creatures of the Night #17 — Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast #16 — Run-D.M.C., Raising Hell #15 — Kiss, Alive! #14 — Rush, A Farewell to Kings #13 — Miles Davis, Kind of Blue #12 — Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pictures at an Exhibition #11 — various artists, Jazz Master Files OK, now that we're all caught up, let's finish this thing already. As a reminder, this is no particular order but I know people love countdowns so there you go. #10 — Genesis, Duke If Rus...

Mar102011 by Chris Holmes4 Comments

Get to Know… Genesis – Pt. 1

Music

With the recent news of Phil Collins' retirement from music, I thought it would be a good time to run this two-part Genesis overview again (originally published on March 10, 2008). I think a proper assessment of Phil's whole career will reveal that he was an important figure in 20th century popular music, and all the cheesy Disney soundtracks in the world can't take away the great work he did. Since one of my favorite things in the whole world is telling people about music I love, I'm starting a series of overview articles dedicated to some of my favorite bands. Similar guides abound on the Internet, and two sites in particular that produce excellent ones are Popdose and the AV Club. The first entry in the series I've dubbed "Get to Know..." is for Genesis. Depending on your age,...

Dec262010 by Chris HolmesNo Comments

Listening Booth – Genesis, “Snowbound”

Listening Booth

While folks along the U.S. Eastern seaboard prepare to dig out from Snowpocalypse/Snowmageddon/SnowRapture 2010, take a moment to appreciate this track from Genesis' 1978 album (and first as a trio), ...And Then There Were Three... - Mike Rutherford's "Snowbound".