First, this is a drastically underrated album in the Genesis catalog (and based on what Mike Rutherford said in the 2007 Reissue interviews, by the band itself!).
For one thing, the album has a very wintry feel, based on some of the themes here. (Or Autumn? Evidence of Autumn??)
Anyway (no, not a Lamb quote), I don't see this as a jab to Steve Hackett. I don't see the band having this super angry bitterness toward him leaving. He did contribute in a major way to both "A Trick of the Tail" and "Wind and Wuthering", and I know he felt he was left out in those sessions, especially regarding his songwriting. I just don't see the band writing a song to "show him". I could even see fans thinking that "Ballad of Big" was a dig at Steve, but I don't think so. I don't think the band was aiming to stick it to Steve. Any perceived "bitterness" was probably just defiance at those thinking they could not continue.
First, this is a drastically underrated album in the Genesis catalog (and based on what Mike Rutherford said in the 2007 Reissue interviews, by the band itself!).
For one thing, the album has a very wintry feel, based on some of the themes here. (Or Autumn? Evidence of Autumn??)
Anyway (no, not a Lamb quote), I don't see this as a jab to Steve Hackett. I don't see the band having this super angry bitterness toward him leaving. He did contribute in a major way to both "A Trick of the Tail" and "Wind and Wuthering", and I know he felt he was left out in those sessions, especially regarding his songwriting. I just don't see the band writing a song to "show him". I could even see fans thinking that "Ballad of Big" was a dig at Steve, but I don't think so. I don't think the band was aiming to stick it to Steve. Any perceived "bitterness" was probably just defiance at those thinking they could not continue.