Calling All Stations

Genesis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 2, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002JDT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (178 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,593 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine album against the odds, January 22, 2000

By 

"waiman" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calling All Stations (Audio CD)

If the departure of Peter Gabriel was a real blow for the band back in 1975 then the departure of Phil Collins should spell their imminent demise. Commercially Genesis will almost certainly never recover but musically they have gone and produced arguably their best and most consistent album since 'Duke'.

It is fairly certain that messers Banks and Rutherford are in a financial position not to have to worry about sales and so instead they concentrate on the traditional strengths of Genesis: high quality prog rock. This will not please fans of 'Invisible Touch' or the dull 'We Can't Dance' but long term fans will find plenty to enjoy. 'Congo' is an terrific single and deserved greater radio play while 'One Man's fool' is one of the best things the band have ever done. 'The Dividing Line' and 'There Must Be Some Other Way' also have a power and ambience that was completely lacking in recent albums.

The multi-talented Collins requires two replacements and both handle things admirably. Ray Wilson has a pleasing, soulful voice and the unpronouncable Nir Zidkyahu is a fine drummer and sometimes sounds uncannily like Collins, particularly on 'One Man's Fool'.

There are possibly one or two tracks too many on the album - something that could be said for many Genesis albums from the seventies onwards - and those who were fans of Genesis purely for Phil Collins should steer clear. Everyone else can purchase without hesitation.

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Underappreciated Classic!!!, May 8, 2003

By 

Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calling All Stations (Audio CD)

With the departure of Phil Collins, many would have thought that the death of Genesis was near. Not quite, not yet. Not only did Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford hire a dynamic replacement in Ray Wilson, they also produced what I would consider their greatest album ever. Although this album is very underrated because of the lack of superstars like Collins or even Peter Gabriel, it has everything on it that Genesis fans both old and new appreciate from the band. Wilson's voice bears a close resemblance to Gabriel's at times but overall has his own unique vocal style. The change in lead vocalists was exactly the shot in the arm that Genesis needed at the time. Ray Wilson gave the band a new lease on life with this album. The only sad thing is the fact that Genesis called it quits after this album was released. It's a shame because their next album probably would have been even better than this one. Whether they intended it or not, Genesis went out with a bang on "Calling All Stations", their greatest album both musically and lyrically. Thank Goodness that Genesis left us on high note.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars no swan song here, August 10, 2008

By 

steve ward "stlyward" (Dallas, TX. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calling All Stations (Audio CD)

I was Genesis fan back in 1969 when I first listened to the Trespass album. The albums of the 70's were perhaps the finest the band ever produced. They were, in fact one of the best stage performers of their time as well. For me, their magic died with Duke and all that followed. IMHO, their creative genius faded quickly with subsequent releases. Hackett's departure, I felt, was the beginning of the end. There were glimmers of the old group here and there, but the 80's and 90's material were not the Genesis of old. Calling All Stations seems to carry on the tradition without the benefit of creativity. Ray Wilson was the only refreshing piece of CAS but he couldn't save this. CAS is not a horrible production but the sound and composition is a rehash combination of Mike and the Mechanics stuff and Invisble Touch. Nothing new or progressive; just more a pop and commercial feel.

I'm no musical authority by any means, but I do know what I like. I don't particularly like CAS. I miss the Genesis of old and this album makes me miss them even more. Not the fitting finale one would like to see from one the greatest prog bands in history