An Epic Meditation On Intangibility

Posted on Feb 12th, 2004 by Stereogum 7 Comments ShareAn Epic Meditation On Intangibility

I was just reading about why Air’s Nicolas Godin loves Groundhog Day and thinking about how “Surfing On A Rock” sounds like Genesis. It’s my new favorite track from Talkie Walkie, and if you imagine it with vocals by Phil Collins, it totally sounds like a poppy outtake from Invisible Touch.

I realize Genesis is not cool, but we can’t listen to indie rock 24/7, can we? Here’s an awesome scene from American Psycho in which Christian Bale’s character takes a break from dismembering girls with chainsaws to discuss the band’s crowning achievement.

INT. BATEMAN’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

BATEMAN
Do you like Phil Collins? I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that I really didn’t understand any of their work. It was too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch is the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility, at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christie, take off the robe.

Bateman puts out a lace teddy. He motions to Christie to put it on.

BATEMAN
Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins, and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress.

Bateman starts to undress.

BATEMAN
In terms of lyrical craftsmanship and sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don’t you dance a little?

Sabrina dances awkwardly. Christie sits on the bed.

BATEMAN
Take the lyrics to “Land of Confusion.” In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problem of abusive political authority.

Bateman knots a silk scarf around Christie’s neck – rather menacingly – then helps her into some suede gloves.

BATEMAN
“In Too Deep” is the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I’ve heard in rock.

He turns on the video camera.

BATEMAN
Christie, get down on your knees, so Sabrina can see your asshole.

And … SCENE!

He may be insane, but everything said about Genesis is accurate. You can tell the script was written by a true fan! Unfortunately, I don’t have an MP3 of “In Too Deep” for you at the moment. BUT, here’s the entire Abacab album available for download at some Russian site. Правила/закачки (right-click/save-target-as)…

1. Abacab
2. No Reply At All
3. Me And Sarah Jane
4. Keep It Dark
5. Dodo – Lurker
6. Who Dunnit
7. Man On The Corner
8. Like It Or Not
9. Another Record

By this time in the band’s career (1982), Phil, Mike, and Tony hadn’t completely deserted their prog roots; so Abacab is sort of confused: there are some horrible missteps as well as a few surprisingly straightforward radio hits. I recommend “Man On The Corner.” (Fun fact: the title track is called “Abacab” because originally it had a an A-B-A-C-A-B structure. OK, that fact wasn’t that much fun.)

Anyway, yeah, this post was pretty fucking boring. If you don’t like Genesis, you might wanna check out downloadable silence.

ShareAn Epic Meditation On IntangibilityTags: Air, Genesis

um, why dont you actually try reading the book american psycho by brett easton ellis. it’s a much better description of the band. there’s a whole chapter that’s nothing but a review of them. why do people quote movies like their genius and forget that the author of the book is usually the genius?