Interesting topic, and something I have thought about. Speaking of Genesis after Peter Gabriel's departure, I too really liked Wind and Wuthering and Trick of the Tail. For me, all of these years later, I find myself listening to them very infrequently, and usually skipping a couple of songs here and there. It isn't so much that they sound "dated", but more that the styling and lyrical content seems a little self-concious, and somtimes borders on being a little precious. When I listen, it seems hard to identify with any real emotions contained in the songs except for the personal memories they conjure of that time.
On the other hand, I still frequently listen to the self-titled "Genesis", although there is definately a little bit of sleepy stuff on it. Still, both versions of Home by the Sea are very good, a great idea for a song I think, Mama and Silver Rainbow are other favorites.
For me, the artistic zenith for Phil Collins with Genesis was on Invisible Touch. Like the self titled album, there were obviously personal relashionship issues going on in his life; apparent in many of the songs. But here, he reaches a lyrical peak. The musings and quaint allegories of the older albums are replaced by a much starker and clearly drawn slice of sadness, bitterness and even despair. The music sesitively tracks and expresses all of the emotion within the lyrics, and it makes for a very moving experience. Now, with the caveat that this is after all a later Genesis album, so there has to be a couple of dentist office sleepers, (In Too Deep, Throwing it All Away) The rest of the songs are focused and strong. For me "Domino", part one and two are the gems of the collection, full of unmasked emotion that has not been prettied up or sugar coated in any way. All of these years later, I am still moved by it.
