Gene - Voice Of The FatherWhen Gene first appeared in 1994, a deluge of comparisons to the Smiths nearly dragged
them under, causing many people to write them off as pretenders to the throne. With the release
of their second album, Drawn To The Deep End, Gene prove once and for all that they are not, in
fact, pretenders, but that not only could they be kings, but they should be kings. The Smiths
comparisons may finally fall by the wayside as Gene inherit the kingdom vacated by the departure
of Morrissey and Marr, not by imitating their predecessors, but by, in their own way, winning
over the same populace. The Smiths, at their apex, spoke of alienation and lonliness, but with
warm hope and a tender innocence that no other artist had captured before or since. As Marr has
faded into obscurity and Morrissey has slipped into sullen reclusiveness, however, Gene have
stepped in to fill their void with increasing fervor and passion. The new album deals with familiar
themes, but contains a dignified beauty that few artists or groups could ever hope to achieve. The
songs on the record range from the hard-rocking "Fighting Fit" and "Voice of the Father," to
classic Gene anthems such as "We Could Be Kings," to heart-rendering emotional ballads such as
"Speak To Me Someone." The album even offers up a more experimental side of the band in the
closing track "Sub Rosa." Gene cover a broad spectrum of styles showcasing both the poetic
talents of singer Martin Rossiter, but also the musical ability of guitarist Steve Mason, drummer
Matt "The Hat"James, and bassist Kevin Miles, and even allow Mason a couple of guitar-hero
rock n' roll solos which display his style with a flourish that remains uniquely Gene. Gene have,
once again, managed to reach out with touching sincerity to create a work which should leave
anyone feeling loney, sentimental, romantic, lovelorn, or bitter utterly and wholly satiated.
Track Listing:
Gene - Voice Of The Father