Search - Genesis :: We Can't Dance

Better than Invisible Touch, But................

Jeff Weselinski | New Jersey | 08/03/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Still to Collins influenced {example, I Can;t Dance}, but enough material here to make a decent album. Fading lights is definitly a highlight. Tony hits the mark with an awesome solo every Genesis (not PhilCollins Fan) fan has been hungry for. Also,Driving the Last Spike is another well written lenghty song; even though musically nothing fancy, it is lyrically awesome and sung beautifully by Phil. But why is the song's Hold on My Heart and the ever dreadful I can't dance have to spoil a close to great album.AS I say again- PHIL KEEP YOUR SOLO MATERIAL OUT OF THE BAND> Making a long story short, this album has something for the old and the uneducated Genesis fan. I actually recommend it!"

Some of their best music.....and also some of their worst

H. Jin | Melbourne, Australia | 11/14/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"'We Can't Dance' has copped alot of harsh criticism from Genesis fans over the years, with the usual lines trotted out about it being a Phil Collins solo album in disguise. It's (mostly) unfair, because the best parts of the album are more reminiscent of their traditional approach than anything they did since 'Duke'. Unfortunately, this constitutes only about half of the songs, with the rest being some of Genesis' most uninspired and bland music. It seems the band themselves knew this, because the album is almost totally front-loaded; very good first half, very ordinary second half.



Songs such as 'Driving The Last Spike', 'Dreaming While You Sleep' and (to an extent) 'No Son Of Mine', although not truly prog-rock, do return to the more complex, detailed storytelling of the band's heyday. The former in particular is an extremely under-rated song, probably because it isn't prog enough for the die-hards, but too long for the pop fans. 'Jesus He Knows Me' and 'I Can't Dance' continue the trend of slightly humourous and biting pop-rock the band perfected on Shapes and 'Invisible Touch'. Both of these have strong melodies and hooks, suitably satirical lyrics, and a few innovations in their production and execution. All good so far.



But after this, the album completely loses the plot, descending into a series of incredibly lacklustre ballads and mid-tempo songs. 'Hold On My Heart' is even more insipid than 'In Too Deep', and 'Way Of The World' seems like an attempt to re-write 'Land Of Confusion'....it doesn't work. I've never bought into the "Phil Collins stuffed it up" mentality, but those that do might find some ammunition in the second half of the album. Thankfully, things do get back on track with the last song 'Fading Lights', another extended piece that is the most clearly prog song here, featuring some outstanding keyboard and drum work in the middle section.



It's hard to really know what to make of 'We Can't Dance', since I've never before heard an album that starts off so well and decline so drastically. The best moments of the album probably do outweigh the bad songs, and it does contain some of their most well-known singles. But, gee, that second half is a real let down.



Five stars for the first half and 'Fading Lights', but one star for the rest. So three for the album overall.

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