A dreamy journey through prog and fairytale in Genesis’ first album without Peter Gabriel.
A New Era for Genesis
1976 marked a pivotal year in the history of Genesis. After the departure of Peter Gabriel, the band’s charismatic frontman and mastermind behind many of their most visionary concepts, the group’s future seemed uncertain. Fans were split between skepticism and curiosity. A Trick of the Tail, the first album without Gabriel, offered a graceful and inspired answer, capable of reassuring the public and ushering in a new creative chapter. The title track encapsulates this transition perfectly: a piece that lovingly nods to the past while boldly stepping into the future.
The Fable of a Different King
The lyrics of A Trick of the Tail tell the story of a fantastical creature, half-man, half-something else, who leaves his kingdom to explore the world of men. His difference is met not with wonder, but with fear. Mistaken for a monster, he is imprisoned and mocked. The song ends on a bitter note: the creature escapes, disillusioned, and no one truly believes he ever existed. The story, inspired by William Golding’s novel The Inheritors, offers a subtle critique of a society that rejects what it doesn’t understand and a melancholic allegory about alienation and longing.
A Sound Between Dream and Precision
Musically, A Trick of the Tail is a refined example of light-tinged progressive rock. The opening piano arpeggios by Tony Banks set a dreamy tone, soon evolving into fluid melodies and finely crafted arrangements. Steve Hackett’s guitars blend tastefully with the synthesized strings, while the rhythm section, anchored by Phil Collins’ precise and inventive drumming, holds everything together with finesse and dynamism. The track strikes a rare balance between complexity and accessibility, a quality that would become a hallmark of Genesis’ new phase.
“File:2180 – Pittsburgh – Mellon Arena – Genesis – The Carpet Crawlers.JPG” by Andrew Bossi is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5.
Phil Collins: From Drummer to Storyteller
One of the track’s most surprising elements is Phil Collins’ vocal performance. In his first official outing as lead singer, Collins delivers a wide and nuanced emotional range, gentle, ironic, and melancholic without slipping into melodrama. His voice fits perfectly with the narrative tone of the lyrics, enhancing the fairytale mood. Far from being a mere stand-in, Collins immediately establishes himself as the new voice and face of the band, delivering a performance that respects the past while clearly pointing to the future.
A Symbolic Song of Rebirth
A Trick of the Tail is not just a charming track, it’s an artistic statement. In just over four minutes, Genesis manage to condense their musical identity, building a bridge between two eras. The song retains the lyrical imagination and compositional richness of the Gabriel years but introduces a new lightness, a more concise and approachable form that would set the stage for the band’s global success in the 1980s. With its fairytale tone and gentle rhythm, this track remains a treasured gem for both longtime fans and new listeners.
