Who is Tony Banks?
Tony Banks was born in East Sussex, England, in 1950 and became one of the founding members of Genesis while studying at Charterhouse School. As the band’s principal keyboard player and one of its chief songwriters, Banks was responsible for many of Genesis’ most memorable musical moments, contributing sophisticated harmonies, memorable melodies and intricate keyboard arrangements throughout the band’s classic progressive rock era. Although Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins often attracted the spotlight, Banks was always the musical architect behind much of Genesis’ distinctive sound.
A Curious Feeling – The Album Review
Released in October 1979, A Curious Feeling marked the solo debut of Tony Banks and remains one of the finest progressive rock albums of the late 1970s. Arriving at a time when punk and new wave dominated the music press, Banks chose to move in the opposite direction, crafting an ambitious, melodic and emotionally rich concept album that showcased his exceptional talent as a composer. While it never achieved the commercial success of later solo releases by his Genesis bandmates, A Curious Feeling has aged remarkably well and is now widely regarded as Banks’ strongest solo work.
The album began life as a musical adaptation of Daniel Keyes’ celebrated novel Flowers for Algernon. Although copyright restrictions prevented Banks from using the story directly, the themes of intelligence, identity and emotional isolation remained at the heart of the finished work. The result is a loose concept album that feels thoughtful, cinematic and deeply moving without becoming overly complicated.
The album opens with the elegant instrumental “From the Undertow,” a haunting keyboard piece that immediately establishes the reflective atmosphere. Delicate piano themes gradually give way to sweeping synthesisers, creating one of the most beautiful instrumentals Banks ever composed.
“Lucky Me” follows with one of the album’s strongest melodies. Accessible without sacrificing sophistication, the song combines memorable hooks with richly layered keyboard textures. It demonstrates Banks’ remarkable ability to write songs that balance progressive complexity with genuine emotional appeal.
The guest performances are superb. Chester Thompson, already familiar to Genesis fans through his touring work with the band, provides tasteful, restrained drumming that perfectly complements the album’s shifting moods. Lead vocalist Kim Beacon, formerly of String Driven Thing, delivers one of the finest performances of his career. Rather than attempting to imitate Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel, Beacon brings warmth, vulnerability and dramatic power that fit Banks’ compositions beautifully. His expressive vocals elevate every song while allowing Banks’ intricate arrangements to remain the true focus.
“The Lie” and “After the Lie” form the heart of the record. These two pieces showcase Banks’ gift for dramatic composition, moving effortlessly between quiet introspection and powerful climaxes. Beacon’s passionate vocal performance adds real depth to lyrics exploring deception, hope and self-discovery.
The title track, “A Curious Feeling,” is another highlight, featuring majestic synthesiser arrangements and a wonderfully uplifting chorus. Banks’ keyboard orchestration is breathtaking throughout, proving that he could create enormous musical landscapes without relying on flashy instrumental excess.
The second half of the album is equally rewarding. “You” combines memorable melodies with intricate harmonic changes, while the epic “Somebody Else’s Dream” stands among Banks’ finest compositions. Its gradual development, emotional intensity and sophisticated structure perfectly capture everything that makes progressive rock so compelling. The atmospheric instrumental “The Waters of Lethe” provides another showcase for Banks’ remarkable command of mood and texture before the reflective “For a While” and gentle closing instrumental “In the Dark” bring the album to a satisfying and poignant conclusion.
Although contemporary critics were divided upon its release, the album has since earned the recognition it deserves as a progressive rock classic and one of the strongest solo albums produced by any member of Genesis. It captures Tony Banks at the height of his creative powers, demonstrating that behind Genesis’ success stood one of Britain’s most gifted composers.
The Vinyl Review
Picked up two years with a batch of other records for around £3 proves that my eye and ear for a bargain is as good as it’s ever been. The cover is slighty worn on the edges, but aren’t we all!!. The album plays fine and the lyrical inlay sheet is in great order.
Donnie’s Rating: 9/10
