Genesis- No Reply At All (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

[@DavidGlover-s7x]

A masterpiece, perfect blend of voice, bass, drums and horns.

[@telamonides4031]

First time I heard 'Watcher of the Skies' I discovered Mike was one of the best bassists of prog.

[@michaelkeller6223]

My first Genesis album so I don’t have the Animus many others have for the new direction. This allowed me to explore backwards without resenting the new. Lonely Man on the Corner (from the MTV music video) was my first exposure and at one point was just my favorite song period.. A Phil vocal showcase for sure! Enjoy!

[@GrandmasterLK_]

This song deserves more credit for doing something we haven't seen previously from the band, The Phenix Horns. Definitely one of their more fun songs, thanks to the awesome horns and just overall upbeat tone of the song. Great bass work from Mike, nice drumming from Phil and an awesome job from The Phenix horns. This is what Abacab is, it just keeps on delivering something new, something fresh. One of their most consistent albums in my opinion. I'm confident that you'll enjoy the next song that comes after No Reply At All ;)

[@xy5844]

lance dance vance

[@melvinwomack3717]

Indeed

[@Alix777.]

Totally agree

[@a.k.1740]

The Phenix Horns hadn't been included in Genesis music before, but they had been previously heard on Phil Collins solo album Face Value, so it's not really a novelty !

[@GrandmasterLK_]

@@a.k.1740 Yeah I get that, agree with you on that one.

[@jeffschielka7845]

This is a hard one for me. My sister's favorite band. She loves Genesis. Judy passed away yesterday. God bless.

[@DavidJones-lz4io]

My sincere condolences Jeff 😔

[@IllumeEltanin]

ברוך דיין האמת Baruch Dayen Ha'Emet May you find comfort among the mourners of Zion. 🤗

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@IllumeEltanin Thank you for your kind words!

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@DavidJones-lz4io Thank you David.

[@JustJP]

Hey there Jeff, I'm incredibly pained to hear that. I wish nothing but the best for you

[@SpaceCattttt]

I love this side of Genesis. The EWF Horns fit their sound beautifully and give the band a lot of energy. Many of the hardcore fans hate this song. They're fools.

[@bradsmack1]

While "fools" may be a tad harsh (however not exactly inaccurate), it's a shame these fans can't just appreciate great songwriting! To have started their pro lives out as 2-minute pop songsmiths and emerge as creators of magnificent song-scape vistas that, despite stretching to a couple-dozen minutes, manage to captivate and entertain is a talent not to be taken so lightly! And, then morph into punchy, melodic '80s-style chart challengers....how can one not appreciate such talent? And, why is it so easy of for some to not be able or willing to?

[@Malfie657]

Chiddingfold (Surrey) is about 4 miles from where I live....!! In the Surrey Hills and probably best described as small but pretty!

[@juliemanarin4127]

My mother was from Bedford!

[@jordansbeard]

It’s a great song and I love the horns. Note Tony’s playing is similar to the song the lamb lies down

[@perry3928]

It's a cross hand technique that he perfected. Difficult to do.

[@courtneywallace871]

Gosh, I haven’t heard this song in so long. Nice to hear it again! Thanks Justin!

[@carlgibbons5777]

You are such a good/underrated reaction channel. ALWAYS well thought out comments and detail. My only wish is that you also do more mainstream rock/pop stuff. I love prog/off the wall stuff, but I would also like to hear your take on the FM radio classics. Anyhoo, keep up the good work:)

[@Antman-cy8ch]

As an old time Genesis and Prog Rock fan from the 70`s I have always felt No Reply At All is flat out one of their best songs.

[@dexiomine1232]

I like this song. It isn't one of their most complicated songs but I think its fun and relatable🤷🏼‍♂️It's a little bit like "Misunderstanding", soo catchy and it sticks in your head for a long time. And as long I enjoy listening to it I don't care which era or genre the song is from

[@dana_brooke_27]

Well said spoken like a true lover of music.

[@colecomatt]

The most important thing is the smile on your face. The fact that Genesis has brought us so much different type of music over the years make us incredibly fortunate. I was introduced to Genesis through this song along with Three sides live. For me Phil's best vocal moments in his career. 🤯Early eighties pre MTV was really a great time to discover music.

[@Aditya-yg1ce]

I like this album. I can listen to it without overthinking. Easier to digest but still Genesis inside out.

[@kben036]

I always liked this song. This was when I got into Genesis and learned the prog stuff later. Fun note: when The band Phish inducted Genesis into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this was one of two songs Phish played. The other was Watcher of the Skies, from the Gabriel era.

[@SelkirkVinny]

I know they did their best and they were/are a true fan but yikes this song was the wrong one to choose for that induction. Watcher of the Skies sounded much much better by them.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Same here. 80's Genesis first, prog Genesis later. In a way, that's arguably that's best way to discover them. You grow up with the hits and then work your way back to discover that the old stuff is even better. Meaning that you end up loving all eras of the band.

[@kennethbenson2931]

@@SelkirkVinny Couldn't agree more. But hats off to Trey and the boys for trying! They should have done Behind The Lines or even Land of Confusion. Watcher of the Skies was amazing.

[@bradsmack1]

@@kennethbenson2931 Wouldn't you have loved to hear the discussion the Phishermen must've had as they debated and wrangled over which songs to cover? I bet they could moonlight as a Genesis cover band!

[@andrewouellette4998]

There are 2 songs that feature the Phoenix horns: "No Reply at all" and "Paperlate" from "Three Side Live". There is another song that features a horn and that would be "Illegal Alien" off the "Genesis" album and that is Phil playing. Tony uses the cross hand method that is heard on the "Lamb Lies down on Broadway" which is apparent if you listen closely.

[@wagnerribeirodesantana1651]

It's a very swinging song.🎹🎶🎧

[@michaelrush3403]

What baffles me the most is how in the world your channel doesn’t have more than a million subscribers. You don’t just hear the song but actually listen to it if that makes sense. Keep kicking ass and Happy late Birthday Bro 👍

[@johnhoerl7326]

It’s so hard for prog-era Genesis fans to judge this song on its own merits. The only other band I can think of whose early vs late catalog generates such a split in its fan base is the Doobie Brothers, or maybe Yes. I’m as big a prog fan as there is, but doggone it this is a great catchy tune. Kind of amazing that a group of musicians who wrote something like Supper’s Ready or Firth of Fifth were also capable of writing short memorable songs full of great hooks; those styles tend to be mutually exclusive. It’s important to remember the musical context at the time, too. New Wave dominated the air waves, and in comparison this was a welcome musical throwback.

[@broadsword6650]

Marillion is so closely modelled on Genesis they also included the split between early/late fans. 😄

[@jimhardiman3836]

I like this song. But Genesis has always written shorter pop type songs.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Add Chicago, the 70s harder and jazzier style vs the 80s pop and ballads style

[@bradsmack1]

Doobies managed to have two separate "careers," or sounds, and thus, fan bases to a large degree. Add to them Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac, who made personnel changes and/or stylistic shifts that lost AND gained fans. As for Genesis (and you sound like you get it! So few don't, as we can read occasionally on this page!), I was on them from almost Day 1, around '71, with "Foxtrot" my first intro. After going back to discover "From Genesis to Revelation," and reading in the Brit press they were nothing but a cluster of songwriting school chums, I kept in mind they were nothing, originally, but talented and eager SONGWRITERS! I think if most of their fans who loathe any Genesis song that has a traditional pop song verse-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-out format would remember the lads'.....well, genesis, they wouldn't rush to hate anything they've done that clocks in at under a day-and-a-half long! While I'm on a rant, this whole genre-naming has always gotten my goat. "Prog" this "prog" that! Is "No Reply at All" prog? Is it prog enough? WHO CARES?!? Tony, Mike, Phil, Pete, Steve, et al GREW massively in their individual and collective talents, and it was fun (for me, anyway) to watch them go from Bee Gees-like pop tunes to expansive and impossibly emotionally-saturated epics (which I thoroughly enjoyed, and saw them twice, live, with Peter, once in '73 and the "Lamb" tour), and then dare to tighten up their approach, add horns *GASP*-----"that's not prog!!!" I can hear it now! I guess I considered, as I did most musical artists I enjoyed, the band as "friends" of a sort, and was willing and anxious to see "how they'd dress" for their next album. I actually enjoyed the new musical avenues they took, although I admit it helps that "pop music" was a fave general genre to listen to, and wasn't horrified, as many seem to be, to see a Genesis song or two dare to climb the charts. How many of our friends would we drop unceremoniously just because they cut their hair or started dressing a radically different way than we were used to? Artists who grew and stretched tended to have longer careers (looking at YOU, Bowie, and the aforementioned Mac 'n' Dan, and Yes, for that matter!) Had Genesis kept churning out 38-minute opuses (opi?), how bored would we have become, and how bored would THEY have become, inevitably regurgitating mind-numbing pablum?

[@michaelbaucom4019]

@@bradsmack1 👏👏👏

[@perry3928]

Looking forward to Genesis We can't Dance. Great songs there!

[@mariobaert8346]

A nice fun song in contrast to the lyrics. I loved that they brought some humor into the music, the shows I attended had that and it made the band more likeable. I'd guess that would be credits to Phil who was a funny guy on stage. watching the videoclips of that time they did not take themselves too seriously. I think the albums made from here on reflect that they were having a really good time the 3 of them together. And given the horns in this song they were open to any suggestion and made it their own. And that must be the Phil-influence as well as he used the horns on his solo albums too. I'm really a fan of the whole catalog (except the first album) and like how they evolved and got better at songwriting in different styles. And thereby actually fulfilling their early dreams of being good songwriters. I was hoping they'd write some new material instead of going on tour with the old stuff. It would be very interesting to find out in which direction they have evolved. Whatever, Genesis was an awesome ensemble in any formation and I continue listening to the whole catalog! Glad you're continuing with your reviews of the Genesis albums. Well done 👍🏻

[@14gilbertst]

It is interesting to see what Peter was up to at the same time. 1981 was an interesting year musically. There was still a huge diversity of styles evolving.

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

The bridge (beginning at 4:00 in this video) is one of the greatest moments in their catalog, straight up.

[@bunnybachman]

This one of my most favorite Genesis songs.

[@luanaramos2416]

Eu amo essa música!!

[@qihutte4087]

I love how Tony bumps in with a thunder. Did you realize that? It's because I remember having read he actually wanted to do this stuff with the keyboard and you know how stubborn this guy could be! :)

[@natewilliams1062]

That bass line and those horns sting. They are so precise it's sickening. Thanks again

[@floorticket]

Three years after this we got the duet "Easy Lover" with Phil Collins and Philip Baily of EW&F.

[@alencar5420]

Fantastic analysis! Thanks! There’s also that acoustic piano part in the middle of the song (very Genesis). ✌️

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London. Love your reaction. You're The Voice! Happy Birthday for yesterday BTW (sorry, only just saw your video). You're right that this track also shows the band's change in direction, although the horns are more typical of Phil's solo stuff (eg. Sussudio). Bit of an Earth Wind & Fire vibe about it (what's not to like about that) with a riff like Marquee Moon (that's all good too). Talking of Mike's great bass lines, I saw him live just a couple of years back with his band Mike and the Mechanics at the beautiful Buxton Opera House. Great soulful vocalist with him: Andrew Roachford (who had a banging solo hit with Cuddly Toy). Finally, Chiddingfold in the county of Surrey is a traditional olde worlde village. I've drunk a few beers in the pub on the green.

[@GareksApprentice]

Man, the snobbery is unreal when it comes to progheads casting all stones at Genesis "selling out". Lest we forget the number of times they were chasing the radio hits with Peter Gabriel ("I Know What I Like," Counting Out Time ", From Genesis to Revelation). I don't blame them at all for going the route they did. Prog was long dead by this point and folks like Robert Fripp were lamenting the formulaic joke the genre had become for most of the 70s. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Good music is good music. It never stopped existing after the 1970s and it was never contained to just the prog genre. As far as this song, I think it's fun. I'd put this album higher up on the Genesis totem pole than ...And Then There Were Three

[@realbser1956]

Amen Jacob. Well said.

[@De_Futura]

I agree that all albums have good tracks, but to me it’s undeniable that they degraded in quality as time went on (and I think that it doesn’t neccesarily has to do with being more commercial).

[@ajmoore2201]

Couldn't have said it better! I absolute love both evolutions of Genesis

[@Wes1969YT]

The beginning of the end for this band with this song !

[@justintime42000]

Yes, and the end of the beginning.

[@minty_Joe]

It was this song and "Whodunnit" that got Genesis booed on stage in Leiden, Netherland.

[@davidanania5618]

…and then the crowd all went back home to their room in their parents’ basement.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Well not only is that ignorant but this is a cute song...and Genesis were really great!

[@juliemanarin4127]

@@davidanania5618 yeah...that's right for sure! 👍

[@tdog9818]

As a few others have already commented, Paperlate is another song with the Phoenix Horns. I first heard it on radio then 3 Sides Live. Both No Reply and Paperlate are great songs IMO.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

I need your Chill and Kind personality JP

[@JustJP]

Drink good coffee, take in a breath of appreciation every morning you wake, and enjoy good music🙂

[@ricobonifacio1095]

Sound advice my friend!

[@swirll360]

JP; I had to laugh when you said the horns surprised you. Same thing happened to me when I first heard the song. How's this for confusion. One of the many times I've seen Genesis was this tour, it was at Forrest Hills NY at the old tennis arena where they played this song AND the complete Supper Ready, talk about confusion. Even with that it was one of the best performances I had seen by them and I have a bootleg recording of it. They truly are a tale of 2 bands AND genres. Keep up the great work. PS: did you happen to see who is also joining King Crimson on their tour? (snickers because JP just can't seem to get away from this particular composer/guitarist I keep lobbying for. Not sure if they are with them when you seen KC but they are on the tour with them in certain cities)

[@stevealdous2043]

The song is musically more complex than it appears on the surface. Tony uses the same cross-handed technique on piano he used on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Mike's bass playing is both funky and melodic and Phil delivers a strong vocal and some intricate drumming. It was one of two from the sessions to feature the EW&F horn section - the other being Paperlate, which was released on the 3x3 EP. In my view, the next three songs are amongst the strongest on the album, so look forward to hearing your views on these, Justin.

[@todvball]

Another great song; and this one is fun to play "air-horns" along with the stereo. Leave out the "is it genesis; is it Phil" ~ it's just a good vibe song. It fits the album flow too. Horns, keys, hand clapping.... Awesome!!

[@axelanas9537]

Can't wait to hear you and Sarah Jane :) Phoenix horns were also on Phil's solo albums.

[@thomasbohannon2066]

Glad you enjoyed Mike as much on this one as I do. I was literally sitting here thinking, as it played, "No matter what he thinks of the rest of this song, he's gotta dig that bass playing".

[@dandecastro51]

Some of this era genesis is quite Chicago style which is always fun ;)

[@jessesam12]

I saw in an interview that Phil had to convince the guys to bring in the horns. It was like a “humor me” type of thing, and they liked it obviously.

[@perry3928]

Hi Justin. Being a hard core Genesis fan I would purchase the latest album and have my bud's over for adult beverages and what not. After hearing this track they tried to convince me this was the nail in the coffin. I have to admit 'REALLY' Genesis using horns! Phil was moving the band forward . It was hard to except but it paid off. As their future in the industry proves. Thanks for the video.

[@ProductivityOrchard]

Justin, great reaction and analysis. You can put Genesis Fans in one of three buckets. Those that like just the Pre 80’s prog Genesis, Post 80’s Rock hits Genesis, and those that like both. I am one that likes both. When I want to listen to music I will choose one of the older Prog albums, but when I want something that I can sing along to, more as a background to what I am doing I will choose one of the 80’s albums. There are still moments of pure Genesis in many of the 80’s Genesis albums. In no reply at all you have Tony’s cross hand keyboard technique that he uses in ‘The Lamb’ for instance. Perhaps Genesis is progressive in the truest sense as their music changes with the times. I have my bucket of popcorn ready for when you get to whodunnit, which many fans hate (including me), but at least they tried something different.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

This is a very catchy song with about 5 hooks in it. I also like NO REPLY by the Beatles. Quite different yet ......... never mind, now I'd like to hear a reaction to TAKEN IN by Mike & The Mechanics. Love your reactions, so spot on, seriously.

[@downesy68]

Mike’s bass is next level in this song.

[@manhattenman6075]

Dodo/Lurker is the best song on the album probably the only progressive and complicated song on the album, one of my favourite genesis songs.

[@thijs941]

Very much agreed!!

[@WarrenCromartie2]

You may find that this song is actually more 'complicated' than Dodo, even if not progressive at all.

[@davidrubinstein9722]

I really like the live version of Dodo/Lurker on 3 sides live with Abacab

[@wushu_jingwu_ar]

Me & sara Jane is another nice prog song IMO.

[@todvball]

Looooove that song. So creative.

[@MrMike4017]

What a great song! One of my favs. Along with Abacab. React to "turn it on"

[@juliemanarin4127]

Surrey...in England!!

[@CCDzine]

I had this song on a K-tel album.

[@Lwize]

Big radio hit.

[@davidgale7384]

It was about the same time that Phil did his duet with Phillip Bailey from Earth Wind and Fire.... That may be where the horn section idea came from

[@gelsol]

Dig those ghost notes that Phil plays.

[@JustJP]

👻🎶

[@joemaurone7923]

Remember that episode of THE SIMPSONS where Homer looks after Moe's bar, and everyone starts dancing on the counter to "Tequila", parodying the scene from PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE? Well, every time I hear the intro to this song, I think of this song playing, instead. I...I don't know why. I think it's just that the dance they were doing syncs up to it so well.

[@arielquarante]

Oh MG... I am so glad with your thoughts about it. Thnak you to noticed the bass. To me, Mike Rutherford is awesome on this one. But ! But ! But ! Also Mister Banks. Those keyboards had always blew me up every time I listen to this. They are so... bizarr, as coming out of nowhere. Abacab album, is pure product (this will be halas repeating with all the next albums) of its times. Sound production speaking. The new Collins (/PG) snare drum sound. The uses of the brand new drum machines. The synths. Of course, I will not mentioned the horns ! Ooops. Too late. I just did it. But let be honest: if we replace horns some by Tony synths, well... what difference would it make? The real shocking thing about the song is not in the horns, but with this unexpected funky style, no matter the instruments choice. And due too the skills of this groovy bass and those keyboards, to me it's an honorable song. A Genesis song ? Hmmmm... Disturbing for a fan, of course... but who cares? Speaking of honesty, I hated this song when I first listened to it, as I guess many Genesis listeners. "A Genesis song ? No way! A Phil Collins (mister I am more successful than you, guys, so I am the master of the band now) song." But no. This is a Genesis (surprising) track. Certainly not among my favorite ones, but far to be one of the worsts ! I hope that you will keep going through the whole discography... This will may be give me an opportunity to finally listen the last one.

[@genohero6139]

Get headphones with good Bass and the bass guitar is so much fun to listen to. The bassist went on to form Mike and the Mechanics

[@battmale]

Phil Collins is a long-time fan of Motown, the horns are there because he likes it, he has an album - Going Back - his last studio production that is all Motown and Soul standards covers.

[@jayburdification]

Speaking of earth wind and fire, check out the song “Easy Lover” by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. It’s from right around the same time.

[@jwsel]

It’s three years later. Between this song and Easy Lover, Phil recorded two solo albums, a Genesis album, and had a number one hit with Against All Odds.

[@billisenberger4364]

That is Earth Wind and Fires horn section

[@jaybird4093]

Even though Genesis’ music became simpler through the years, I think they, especially Mike’s bass and Phil’s singing, became stronger. Abacab is not my favorite album musically but I do enjoy listening to the member’s performance.

[@De_Futura]

I don’t think it’s necessarily the playing, but the production was much better. He was playing very complex bass parts in 73,74,76.

[@maruad7577]

Soft drink music? Soda music? Oh no, it's pop music! Well done pop though. No shame in that. Phoenix Horns... that makes sense. Yesterday's 36 C (over 96 F) was a bit high for me but today should be a more manageable 30 C (86 F) with showers (which are desperately needed). I am hoping you are all having great weather where ever you are.

[@cedricmilford5254]

The very 1st time I heard this, it was not an instant like. It was Mike’s bass playing that warmed me up to it. I like it as a pop Genesis, not a prog Genesis.

[@jimhardiman3836]

The sound of a band reinvigorated and reinvented in the 80s musical climate and going back to their early R&B influences. They may lost some of their old fans in the process but they sound like they're enjoying themselves and having fun. And how about Mike's bass lines.

[@dana_brooke_27]

I'm aware that the three of them wrote it but it sounds like a Phil song that could have been on "Hello I Must be Going" Phil is the "Pop" in the band. Earth Wind and Fire did the horns who also played a lot on the "Hello" album. It's a very good album. You should do it. Very much jazz. This album was released around the same time as "Hello" Just before I think because of the timing of the concerts I went to. I like Phil's first two albums the best.

[@halcyon289]

This is a great song.

[@ChataCovers]

this song is def playlist material at least on mine

[@ronaldlee7566]

Horns from Earth, Wind, & Fire

[@susangonsalves9636]

I always liked the song and Genesis. It does sound like a Phil Collins solo work...but that's not bad. Saw both in concert back in the day. Also Peter Gabriel with Sting. PG was phenomenal.

[@tomgorman748]

This song, along with Misunderstanding from Duke helped to usher in the “Pop” era of Genesis.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

But all the same this album also has "Dodo/Lurker" which is as prog as it can possibly be.

[@richardtodd6843]

I'd rather hear Genesis do a good pop song than some of the mediocre prog songs they did in the post-Hackett era, and this is a great and very unique pop song. I couldn't care less about the lyrics, but the singing, bass, keyboards, drums, and horns are all great.

[@matthisknopf2878]

I think this song is far more complex then it's giving credit. What you think is the chorus is actually the pre chorus. What you think is the bridge is actually the chorus. And there is a post chorus at the end which i think should have been the chorus in the first place. Also the rhythm is really interesting, i mean just try dancing to it. All these interesting ideas dont come fully togeather in the end for my taste, but i truly find it a fascinating song to explore.

[@meganparsons9106]

Trying t count it out in my head I found it to be more fiendish than "Changes" by Yes

[@broadsword6650]

Musically, this sounds like a prototype for Phil Collins’ ‘Sussudio’, which came along a few years later. That bassline! Lyrically, it fits right into Phil’s acrimonious divorce, as chronicled on his solo album of the same year, Face Value. Combined, it’s a weird juxtaposition of bright, sunny music and dark, bitter lyrics: hiding the heartache within, perhaps?

[@jeffrichard9338]

“Keep It Dark” and “Like It Or Not” bring the prog feel

[@jimhardiman3836]

I would add Dodo to that.

[@olemartinsen9733]

Genesis??? I was shocked when I heard this song. The magic was gone and the adventure over were my first thoughts..

[@dexiomine1232]

If you want to listen to a bass solo by Mike, give "The Musical Box" of the Genesis "Live" album a listen!

[@1mbpdf33]

Haha yeah - that's a classic!

[@Jfhelwig]

One note!

[@Risico16]

That was an unaccompanied bass pedal solo from Michael Rutherford

[@uatuma]

Hey Justin - speaking of Phil, how about reacting to some Brand X, his side project in the mid to late 70s. And don't forget to get back to Jaco - the next song on the album is killer.

[@JustJP]

I hear ya :D I did Nuclear Burn a long time ago, should definitely try more

[@manualboyca]

I like this song a lot, reminds of some of the stuff from Phil’s first 2 solo albums (really the only Phil albums I like). 👍

[@e997e]

I'm glad you liked the song -- I wasn't sure whether or not you would. I really enjoy it, but I also don't have a problem with songs being more mainstream or poppy unless it seems blatantly superficial or thoughtless. Besides this and something off of the 3x3 EP, I don't recall them using horns again, as there wouldn't be anyone to perform them live.

[@shyshift]

Mike Rutherford:Fender Precision Fretless Bass

[@zerglilngvet5428]

rush reaction?

[@yw1971]

It's the same Horn Section as in 'Sussudio' - Sign that the band became Phil's support band & not a Trio of musicians

[@davidanania5618]

Mike Rutherford is SLAYING on the bass.

[@JustJP]

The dragon slayer:D

[@davidanania5618]

@@JustJP I dig how much love you give Mike for his bass playing--yeah, he's severely underrated. You mentioned "The Lady Lies" and that inspired me to come up with an "off the top of my head", Top 5 Mike Rutherford Genesis Bass Tracks list (all in my humble opinion and in no particular order: Colony of the Slippermen (you can see him work it live during the "In the Cage Medley" from the Mama Tour DVD Fountain of Salmacis Blood on the Rooftops (his bass playing is stunningly beautiful) No Reply at All The Lady Lies Honorable Mention. His playing under Steve Hackett's "Firth of Fifth" solo... This leads me to a question (and I may have just been listening poorly if you've mentioned it). Are you a trained musician? If so, what instruments?

[@JustJP]

@@davidanania5618 ty! Ive never had any sort of musical training and never taken any classes. I play handpan and drums, learning dulcimer a bit

[@j0hnf_uk]

Ah, I've spent many an hour listening to this song, (as part of listening to the entire album, no less), and it's a particular favourite from the 80's era that's very much akin to Phil Collins' solo output. Which, for me personally, is a positive. The EWF horns delivering the, 'stabs', is very indicative of Phil's work during this period, but was a definite departure for Genesis. This could quite easily have been a Phil song, (a bit like another off this album, which I won't mention...), but it kind of fits as part of an album that's, 'different', from certain expectations. And, for some, that's something they have problems coming to terms with, it would seem. Me? I love it! 😜

[@MP-TheNewGuy]

This is one of first songs that I heard from Genesis. Probably the 2nd. It was one of the songs that got played on early MTV back when all they showed was music videos. I did not like it then, but it had nothing to do with old Genesis as I was 9 and didn't know who they were. My brother liked it, so to annoy him I didn't. When Phil sang "Is anybody listening?" I would yell out "Noooo!" 🤣 After a few years, I matured and found myself liking the song and the band way more than my brother. "No Reply At All" has great groove to it as you noted in Mike's bass playing. The horns makes the song feel like it should be on a Phil solo album despite Mike and Tony's definite presences on it. While I like "No Reply At All", it is one of my least favorites on the album. It has already been spoiled that you don't like this album. It is gonna be interesting to see why as I haven't watched your reactions to my favorites off of this album yet.

[@TheReaperMan275]

When I first heard this song on _Abacab_ it shocked me and not in a good way. There was no way that this was Genesis! I didn't hate it, but I far from liked it. Fast forward 40 years and I like it a lot. It's just so damn catchy, how can you not like it in some fashion? But I was more of a Prog Snob back then and resented the group and especially Collins for selling out. Nowadays I can enjoy their 80's output almost as much as their Prog Glory Years. Depends on the mood I'm in. Great reaction, JP! Look forward to the rest of your review.

[@JamesHowe]

Phil had used the Phenix Horns on his solo album about the same time. This song sounds more like a Phil solo piece, but I know the writing credits go to all three. I like it. It's not "Supper's Ready", but neither is "Sledgehammer" (a Peter Gabriel song). Musicians want to experiment and try different things and I think at this point in time, Genesis, along with other 'prog' groups, felt they needed to try something a little different. Given a choice between earlier Genesis and later Genesis, I would take the former, but for the most part I like the later stuff, just in a different way.

[@stephenriggs8177]

When my wife needs attention, she'll bean me with a hair scrunchie. ... This was my first Genesis album, so nothing seemed strange, to me. I don't think I knew any previous tracks except for Misunderstanding. I did a bit of catching up with the older work when the fabulous "Three Sides Live" was released.

[@genecase326]

Man, this album screams "the 80's!".

[@robw1571]

Every time I hear the brass I think that's got to be Phil's doing.

[@1mbpdf33]

This song got a lot of flack back in the day for having a horn section. I think it's quite a decent track and Mike's bass playing is awesome.

[@bradsmack1]

Mike's bass playing is incredible.....and, songwriters that they started out to be, his unique riff could be a song all by itself!

[@jdmresearch]

I'm the kind of guy who likes Genesis early songs with P Gabriel.... but No Reply at all is amazing.

[@jdmresearch]

Also the video of this song is great too... Collins just enjoying everything.

[@Stuman57]

This is the time Phil started to get big solo. If you listen to his first 2or 3 albums, you will see that this is where the two intertwined and Genesis started to get big and people thought “oh Phil has a band”.

[@kenl2091]

I think this track, more than any other is where many old-school Genesis fans gave up on the band. Yes, it's a competent soul inspired pop song but if I wanted to listen to that, I'd put on some Earth Wind and Fire rather than some stuff their horn section probably did in their sleep. Not for me, ta.

[@markmaxwell1013]

Totally agree! This is just not the Genesis I grew to love. They lost me and many other classic Genesis fans when Steve Hackett left but this is stepping off the cliff straight into pop. They got zillions of pop fans on their bandwagon and made a ton of money so good for them I guess. Just not my cup of tea.

[@evankeal]

Ah, setting up all the people who never left 1974 to make rediculous remarks.

[@melvinwomack3717]

I love this one many people don't it's pop prog or the other way around either or it's a good song

[@daneng3641]

A fine pop song indistinguishable from a Phil solo, though, yes, Mike goes off on the bass! At the time, I had no knowledge of early Genesis so couldn't be disappointed, though I already knew they could do much better. The Abacab title song was so much better, and still is one of my favorites.

[@bobholtzmann]

This song was a big shift for Genesis - up to this point, the band had no guest artists, and here there's an entire horn section. A similar lineup was used in Phil's Face Value album, for several tracks including a new version of Duke's "Behind The Lines". And with Genesis' instruments scaled back, it briefly sounds more like a Phil Collins album - definitely some overlap there!

[@matthewrobinson7379]

Good use of the Phoenix horn section, from Earth, Wind, and Fire. But this once again sounds like Phil Collins solo. Where are the acoustic guitars, or bass pedals? Where is the enigmatic story?

[@johncampbell756]

Definitely 80s Genesis, but there is some incredible instrumental work here, especially the drums and bass. Too much 1980s Phil was actually an f-ing drum machine. Phil was a big Earth Wind and Fire fan. See hit hit Easy Lover with EWF singer Philip Bailey.

[@mikeloomis687]

Then Phil went solo and then a Disney favorite.