77.79 on the Fishscales = C-/2.5 stars; probably relegated to "for collectors/groupies only"; even historiographers might struggle to find continuity with what comes next.
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on October 23, 1970.
- Anthony Phillips / acoustic 12-string & lead electric guitars, dulcimer, backing vocals
- Michael Rutherford / bass, nylon & acoustic 12-string guitars, cello, backing vocals
1. Looking for Someone (7:06)
2. White Mountain (6:42)
3. Visions of Angels (6:50)
4. Stagnation (8:48)
5. Dusk (4:13)
6. The Knife (8:56)
I'm not sure why Trespass holds such a fond place in my heart. I discovered it relatively late in my Genesis path-I think And Then There Were Three had come out. Perhaps because I love twelve string guitars so much-especially those few musicians who chose to explore the 12-string as a picking, not just strumming, instrument (Anthony Phillips, some Jan Akkerman, John McLaughlin, Steve Hackett) The paring down of the holy quintet to a trio was leaving me less satisfied, I had been in love with Voyage of the Acolyte and The Geese and the Ghost for a while, so I decided to visit the "old" Genesis. (I had been familiar with the music through the Genesis Live LP but had never realized that Hackett had not been a part of the composition of those pieces.) So, Trespass and From Genesis to Revelation came to my possession by way of the cut-out bins.
1. "Looking for Someone" (7:06) has some truly inventive sounds-especially vocally. The guts it takes to start an album with an emotional voice like that! Structurally, the song quilts together some very different and courageous musical sections, romping very quickly and often from soft to hard, pianissimo to forte. IMHO, Tony's organ work and Ant's lead work are weak and John Mayhew's one-style-fits-all drumming leave one less than engaged. Definitely progressive song composition, just not mature players yet. Or they're still struggling for their "sound." (P.S. Do my ears deceive me or is Ant's electric guitar out of tune?) A peak at the future but all potential, not enough realization. (12.5/15)
2. "White Mountain" (6:42) while somewhat weak in story, keyboards, and the less-than-up-to-the-task drumming, displays some masterful vocalizations and soul-blissing acoustic guitar work. The second movement with the ominous pounding of the bass drum and treated Gabriel vocals is a spine-tingling highlight! The brief Poe-like distant organ with human whistling is also very effective before the fadeout. (13/10)
3. "Visions of Angels" (6:50) I've heard Gabe say that this is one he would consider resurrecting were he ever to participate in a Genesis reunion concert. I guess he likes those uplifting mystical/spiritual songs he helped create (like "Supper's Ready"). Some of Mayhew's better drum work is here. Rutherford, the reluctant bass player, gets to shine a little with a little "lead" bass playing. "God gave up this world--it's people--long ago. Why She's never there I still don't understand" Perhaps this song continues to state an important piece of Gabe's credo. A fair, pretty straightforward song with nothing standing out much. (12/15)
4. "Stagnation" (8:48) Still one of my all-time favorite Genesis or any other music genre songs. That eerie synth solo over the 12- and 6-strings is phenomenal-I never tire of it; it never fails to produce goose bumps on my skin. Then to bridge into that awesome guitar-backed organ solo (with Mayhew's adequate drumming for once mixed properly!) Simply sublime! Then Gabe whisper-sings that frail, fragile invitation to us before waxing poetic with his treated description of the waterbank. "I-I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I-I, I said I want to sit down! I want a drink." More Christ references? Awesome. (19/20)
5. "Dusk" (4:13) Acoustic guitars! Monastic voices! Flutes! A singular chime! Mellotron. NO DRUMS!! I'm in absolute heaven! A beautiful and subtly intricate song. (10/10)
6. "The Knife" (8:56) Many a progster's favorite early Genesis song. I must admit: the song very powerfully conveys the horror and fear of the Kent State/fascist state experience. Mayhew's machine gun-like drumming, Rutherford's deep distorted bass thrums and the first classic searing Genesis lead guitar solo (later taken up and mastered by Monsieur Hackett) coupled with Gabe's forceful German accent make for a very powerful song. (And who's saying that prog songs shouldn't have social-political content or meaning?) Still, somewhat unpolished and raw for a prog classic. (The Live version is better, don't you agree?) (18.5/20)
88.89 on the Fishscales = B+/solid 4 stars. "Stagnation," "Dusk" and "The Knife" make this album, IMHO, "an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection." Though still honing their sound and compositional style(s), this is a great sophomore effort for a band envisioning some truly ground-breaking and complicated musics.
GENESIS Nursery Cryme (1971)
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on November 12, 1971.
ANT has left the building, but not his music, not his sound, not his spirit.
Welcome, Phil! Welcome, Steve! Won't you please stay for a while? I think we can do some interesting things. We may not make a lot of money or become very famous but we'll definitely show them something . . . different!
. . . I hope . . . I think.
Line-up / Musicians:- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, flute, tambourine, bass drum
- Steve Hackett / electric and 12-string guitars
- Tony Banks / organ, Mellotron, piano & electric piano, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford / bass, bass pedals, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, lead (2) & backing vocals
1. "The Musical Box" (10:24) (19.5/20)
2. "For Absent Friends" (1:44) (4/5)
3. "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" (8:10) (13/15)
4. "Seven Stones" (5:10) (8.5/10)
5. "Harold the Barrel" (2:55) (8/10)
6. "Harlequin" (2:52) (10/10)
7. "The Fountain of Salmacis" (7:54) (13.5/15)
Total Time 39:09
Five star songs: The flawless and dramatic, "The Musical Box"; the gorgeous and poetic "Harlequin" (my second favorite Peter Gabriel vocal next to "The Lamia"); and the epic mythological tale, "Fountain of Salamacis."
Four star songs: "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" and "Seven Stones."
Three star song: "For Absent Friends" and "Harold the Barrel."
90.0 on the Fishscales = A-/4.5 stars; a milestone album in the development of early progressive rock music, Nursery Cryme contains some stunning high points alongside some mediocre "duds."
GENESIS Foxtrot (1972)
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on October 6, 1972.
Line-up / Musicians:- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, flute, oboe, tambourine, bass drum
- Steve Hackett / guitars (electric, acoustic 6- & 12-string)
- Tony Banks / organ, Mellotron MKII, piano & electric piano, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford / bass, bass pedals, 12-string guitar, cello, backing vocals
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, backing vocals
1. "Watcher of the Skies" (7:19) sounds old, overfull, and poorly recorded. I never liked it--always skipped it to get to "Can-Utility." HACKETT's "Revisited" version is ten times better. (12.25/15)
2. "Time Table" (4:40) despite it's classical piano intro, the vocal of this pretty standard ballad is strained and the guitar sounds chosen are just wrong. Some nice melodic hooks in some of the instrumental riffs. (8/10)
3. "Get 'em Out by Friday" (8:35) is too over-the-top bombastic. Another "Knife" crossed with "Hogweed," previewing "Robbery, Assault and Battery" and "All in a Mouse's Night." (16.5/20)
4. "Can-Utility and the Coastliners" (5:43) Prog perfection in six minutes or less. This is the song I would play if someone asked me to introduce them to that which is quintessential to progressive rock music in one song. (9.75/10)
5. "Horizons" (1:38) I used to love "Horizon's" but am now sick of it. Good song the first 1000 listens. Gets old, though. Go solo, Steve. (He did!) (4.75/5)
6. "Supper's Ready" (22:58) "IT" DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS! (44.75/45):
- a. Lover's Leap
- b. The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man
- c. Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men
- d. How Dare I Be So Beautiful?
- e. Willow Farm
- f. Apocalypse in 9/8 (featuring the delicious talents of Gabble Ratchet)
- g. As Sure as Eggs Is Eggs (Aching Men's Feet)
Total Time 50:53
I avoided listening to "Supper's Ready" for years because I was afraid it would never be able to live up to the hype I had built up inside my own head. I've just listened to it. Twice. "Supper's Ready" is, without a doubt, the greatest achievement in progressive rock music ever. It is epic in the tradition of The Bible, WAGNER's Ring, The Iliad and Odyssey, and "Song of Roland". It contains the soul of humanity--of human struggle and human potential and aspiration. It contains virtuosic performances from some of prog rock's most adventurous, theatric and yet melodic participant/performers. Even so, "Foxtrot" has never been a masterpiece to me. As much as the band loved "Watcher" and "Get 'em Out by Friday," I never liked them (and I have given them both so many chances/re-listens). "Can-Utility and Coastliners" has always been one of my favorite prog and Genesis songs--and I am glad to see it getting so much love here on ProgArchives.
91.43 on the Fishscales = A-/4.5 stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music. Despite "Can" and the greatest prog epic of all-time, I have trouble awarding this album with a full five stars: it has flaws. Some will call it essential because of "Can" and "Supper." They may be right. The two do help constitute over 60% of the album. But I just can't reward an "album" which has two poor--yes, I've said it--poor songs with 5 stars.
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on July 20, 1973.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Tony Banks / organ, Mellotron, piano, acoustic 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, flute, bass drum, tambourine
- Steve Hackett / electric guitar, acoustic 12 string guitar
- Mike Rutherford / acoustic 12-string guitar, bass, bass pedals, backing vocals
1. "Watcher of the Skies" (8:34) a fan favorite that I've never been impressed with, musically, does probably present a vastly theatric concert hall stage opening. Even the sound here seems better, to me, than it does on the studio album Foxtrot--the dynamics are much more smoothly integrated--all of which helps me to appreciate the creative complexities the band put into its composition. (17.5/20)
2. "Get 'em Out by Friday" (9:14) never a favorite of mine, does stand out better in the concert version than the album. (17/20)
3. "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" (8:14) a vehicle for one of Peter's deliveries of his mythic stories. The music is okay--not as engaging though the performances of this complex music are impressively tight--especially from Phil on drums. (12.75/15)
4. "The Musical Box" (10:55) one of the few Genesis live recordings that I feel suffers--not so much in the vocals or electronic instruments performances or sound engineering as it does in the sound rendered by the 12-string guitars. Still, a great song that the band here performs well. (17.5/20)
5. "The Knife" (9:46) the oldest song from the band's repertoire and the only one to be recorded from the pre-Phil and Steve years. The "newcomers", I think, do quite an admirable job delivering the music--especially Steve--but it is Peter's performance that feels to suffer--not benefitting from the vocal and electronic effects given his voice(s) on the studio performance--effects that really did add so much to the power and creepy/eeriness of the original. (17.5/20)
Total Time 46:43
This was actually the second Genesis album I ever owned! (after I fell under their magical spell with the release of A Trick of the Tail) It really threw me for a loop--nothing I expected: much harsher and less smooth than ATotT--including the voice of one Peter GABRIEL. But it was interesting, complicated, and, as I found out later, the live version of "Watcher in the Skies" is FAR better than the studio one. The masterful theatric mystique and subtlety of "The Musical Box" was apparent to me immediately, as was the power and message of "The Knife" (my favorite. What a difference Steve HACKETT and Phil COLLINS make for that song!) To hear "The Knife" in its original form (on Trespass) has ever been a disappointment for me (as was my first hearing of Foxtrot's "Watcher") A forgotten gem of live music. Too bad the live version of "Supper's Ready" as played in this concert never made it to this album!
The back of the album cover presented a story about a lady who undressed in front of an audience but did not stop at her nude skin but proceeded to unzip her skin down the middle to peel it away, letting it drop to the stage to reveal a glowing, metallic staff, hovering above the ground in her place. This is but an example of the kind of eerie, fantastical stories Peter Gabriel was known to tell between songs as the band members had to go through the rather tedious process of tuning and retuning their instruments (especially the 12-string guitars). One of the best reasons to own this album.
86.58 on the Fishscales = B/four stars; rated up as Live is a wonderful capture of some of prog's early masterpieces.
GENESIS Selling England by the Pound (1972)
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on October 13, 1973.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, percussion, flute, oboe
- Steve Hackett / electric guitar, nylon acoustic guitar
- Tony Banks / keyboards (piano, Hammond, Mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist synth), 12-string guitar
- Mike Rutherford / bass, 12-string guitar, electric sitar
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, lead (4) & backing vocals
1. "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" (8:01) starts boldly with Gabe's acapella voice before becoming supported by delicate and beautifully interwoven piano and guitars. The 2:09 "Follow on" section, to me, weakens the song but provides the attention-grabbing transition to the album's first sequence of absolutely brilliant instrumental leads, support and interplay. An 'awesome' song in the true sense of the term, for there are here some amazingly bold/daring musical twists, turns, transitions, tricks and trials. The band is so tight! However, the reason for the slowed down "it's over" fadeout section that begins at the 5:48 mark is a mystery to me. (14/15)
2. "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" (4:06) I love this song--the music, the humor, the theatrics. A short classic that happened to get some "pop" attention. (10/10)
3. "Firth Of Fifth" (9:34) The poor recording/engineering of this album comes out some more in this song. Its live versions--even without Gabe's flute--are usually quite a bit superior. However, it is quite a masterful achievement of songwriting and melody-making. Far superior to "Dance" and "Battle." (BUT: The best guitar solo of all-time? I don't know . . . ) (19.5/20
)
4. "More Fool Me" (3:09) Phil's gentle voice. I think I like it better big and bold--even cocky. (8/10)
5. "The Battle Of Epping Forest" (11:43) Don't like it, never did. Maybe another example of one of those nice musical achievements that were ruined by lyrics or over-done theatrics. (16/20)
6. "After The Ordeal" (4:12) I love the idea of this song more than the actual presentation. Something sounds just too tinny about Tony's piano, while Steve's classical guitar is beautiful. Then the transition to electric blues guitar solo allows a different form of expression to come through. ("Free Bird!") (8.75/10)
7. "The Cinema Show" (11:06) Another supreme achievement of progressive music--one that stands up so well over time--and one that I like more than "Firth of Fifth"--including the work of Steve Hackett. (20/20)
8. "Aisle Of Plenty" (1:31) the beautiful, awesome finale of "Cinema Show." I can only rate it as I would "Cinema Show" for I do always consider them as one. (5/5)
Total Time 53:40
Selling England by the Pound was my gateway drug to "Gabriel-era" Genesis, having come from the bias of the post-Gabe studio albums Trick of the Tail and Wind and Wuthering as well as concert attendances on both tours. So, Selling England took a bit to grow on me. But it did. The lush recording and engineering style of Trick and Wuthering had me a bit biased when I heard the fairly thin, quiet, and distant sound of the albums of the Gabriel era. But, there was no doubt I was hearing the collective genius of five creative geniuses. The fact that five geniuses could even collaborate and come out with these masterful song tapestries is astounding to me in and of itself. To do it over the course of an entire album is perhaps asking a bit much. And that is where Selling England falls a bit short for me: not every song clicks on all cylinders; some songs or song parts seem to lack cohesion or an objective empathy necessary to click with audiences.
92.04 on the Fishscales = A-/five stars; the greatest prog album of all-time? I don't think so. Three long masterpieces--27 minutes out of 53--is not enough to make an album masterpiece. "Epping Forest" always leaves a bad taste for me when I think of this album. In my opinion, The Lamb is still the band's best. As whole albums go, Yes's Close to the Edge, Relayer, and even Fragile are better than Selling England by the Pound.
GENESIS The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)
First released in the UK on Charisma Records on November 18, 1974.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, flute
- Steve Hackett / electric & acoustic guitars
- Tony Banks / keyboards
- Mike Rutherford / bass, 12-string guitar
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, vibes, backing vocals
With:
- Brian Eno / sound effects
- Graham Bell / backing vocals
Disc 1 (45:29)
1. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (4:50)
2. Fly on a Windshield (4:23)
3. Broadway Melody of 1974 (0:33)
4. Cuckoo Cocoon (2:11)
5. In the Cage (8:15)
6. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging (2:45)
7. Back in N.Y.C. (5:42)
8. Hairless Heart (2:13)
9. Counting Out Time (3:42)
10. The Carpet Crawlers (5:15)
11. The Chamber of 32 Doors (5:40)
Disc 2 (48:43)
1. Lillywhite Lilith (2:42)
2. The Waiting Room (5:24)
3. Anyway (3:07)
4. The Supernatural Anaesthetist (2:59)
5. The Lamia (6:57)
6. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats (3:07)
7. The Colony of Slippermen (8:13) :
- i. The Arrival
- ii. A Visit to the Doktor
- iii. Raven
8. Ravine (2:04)
9. The Light Dies Down on Broadway (3:32)
10. Riding the Scree (3:57)
11. In the Rapids (2:26)
12. it (4:15)
Total Time 94:12
Fascinating how different and diverse the tastes of human beings can be---even within a group of people with passionate interests in a certain category of music/art. I say this after reading many of the ProgArchives Collaborators' reviews of Genesis' The Lamb Lie Down on Broadway. How I can absolutely adore groups like Focus, Harmonium, Renaissance, Nektar, Supertramp, Genesis, Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush or singular albums by the likes of Uriah Heep, Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, Bill Nelson, David Sylvian, doves, U2---all of whom I consider 'progressive' for their sonic and structural innovations, experimentations, and uniquities---how I can like and appreciate King Crimson, Pink Floyd, The Alan Parsons Project and yet detest other revered groups such as ELP, Jethro Tull, and Rush is such a perplexing mystery to me, but, there it is. There we are. We can agree to disagree. I guess the bottom line about these reviews is that we all like to hear our own voices, we all like the opportunity to be able to freely express our opinions, so ProgArchives, thank you for that. Before I go deeper into my personal review, I will put out there that The Lamb is, for me, the single greatest prog album of all-time. Nothing else comes close in terms of seemless quality, story, engaging mood, musicianship, experimentalism, and sheer consistency. Lyrically, Gabe achieves some of the most poetic phrasings and vocal deliveries ever on record. In my years as an audiophile, I have been in constant search for 'the perfect album' or, what used to be 'the perfect side' of an album (33 1/3 LP). In my experience, it is truly a rare thing. The Lamb, IMHO, has not one but two "perfect" sides (Sides 3 & 4). Though I never got to see The Lamb tour, I did get to see Gabe do "The Lamb" as his only encore in a concert in November of 1978 in Nancy, France (with a perky little Kate Bush as his warm-up and Robert "Dusty Roads" Fripp playing from behind the stage equipment and a very able Sid McGinnis [with David Letterman & Paul Schaffer's Late Nite Band since c. 1980])---makeup, leather jacket, and all.
Side 1, song 1: "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (4:50) The distinctive signature of the album, Tony's piano, the bass pedals, Phil finessing the toms and snare, crashing the cymbals, such a great mix/balance of all band members. (Remember: the band recorded the music without Gabe's presence. Let's face it, with 90 mins. of music sans lyrics, they had to be pretty contented and excited with themselves.) Wonderful key, tempo and instrumentation shifts. (9/10)
1.2: "A Fly on a Windshield" (4:23) A sublime song with beautifully eerie keys, 12-strings, and truly masterful diction/pronunciation with Gabe's singing setting Hackett and Collins up for an unusually relaxed though emotional climax, (10/10) all blending into:
1.3: "Broadway Melody of 1974" (0:33) A song meant to be carried by the lyrics, I suppose, it serves as a lovely segue from "Fly" into "Cocoon." (5/5)
1.4: "Cuckoo Cocoon" (2:11) Great Trespass-like music with Gabe's oddly treated voice. Great to here the flute again. (9/10)
1.5: "In the Cage" (8:15) A later concert fave with odd lyrics you find yourself wanting to learn à la Jon Anderson's Yes lyrics. The confidence to start a song with voice and single bass note! Once it picks up, Phil and Tony must have had fun with this one! (17/20)
1.6: "The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging" (2:45) Takes you for a carnival rollercoaster ride! More fun for Phil and Tony, though the song uses the usual formula of slow soft start as it builds to a crescendo of cacophony (including Steve's "note"). Still, I imagine the last two songs were adrenaline highs for the musicians. (9/10)
Side 2, song 1: "Back in N.Y.C." (5:42) Vocal and musical melodies a little drawn out and repetitive but a great song that builds and builds to the gooseflesh-producing moments of Gabe's scream and the clanging piano chords at the beginning of the second verse and, of course, the bass synth slide accompanying "till I burn it to ash." Yes, the "As I cuddled the porcupine," and "fluffy heart" sections subtract a little from the power and momentum, but, overall a great song. (8.75/10)
2.2: "Hairless Heart." (2:13) A brief instrumental/interlude with an interesting title (5/5), which gives Hackett a small outlet before he has to pick up the banjo for:
2.3: "Counting Out Time" (3:42) One of Gabe's most amazing lyrics; such a change from the metaphors hidden under cloaks of mythical stories. Love the banjo and Tony's perfectly silly synth sound used for the sound after "Whoopee!" (10/10)
2.4: "The Carpet Crawlers" (5:15) What a mood shift! One of those songs whose vocal presentation of aural poetry serves as a balm to the ears and the soul. Brilliant song, brilliantly mixed! God that guy can write and deliver lyrics! Thank god for the musicians' restraint in setting this one up for Gabe. (9.5/10)
2.5: "The Chamber of 32 Doors" (5:40) Hackett! Seems like he's been in the background since "Fly on a Windshield." Another lyrical gem, this time in true prog showcase, with the musicians contributing equally, with quite complex time and mood changes. Another reminder that thus far this album is void of a lot of instrumental showcasing (solos). (10/10)
Now to the meat of the album. (Who cares what Rael's up to, it's the music ahead which blows me away.)
Side 3, song 1: "Lilywhite Lilith" (2:42) Boldly opening side 3, Gabe's confidence soaring, Mike's bass and Tony's keys pounding, (9/10) "A blaze of white light fills the air" prepares us as we fall into the eerie emotions conjured up by:
3.2: "The Waiting Room" (5:24) Very cool experience---especially under the influence. Love the exit---especially Collins mashing away! Awesome! (10/10)
3.3: "Anyway" (3:07) Exactly! Beautiful key melody setting up another Gabe foray into the realm of Salvador Dali, and then, for a brief, hair-raising instant: HACKETT! (10/10)
3.4: "Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist" (2:59) One of my favorite Genesis songs: "He's such a fine dancer!" Thank you, Peter, for resigning yourself to sitting back and watching the amazing talents of your band-mates, especially Phil and Steve. Alas, all too brief. (9.5/10)
3.5: "The Lamia" (6:57) IMHO, this is Gabe's most amazing performance as a Genesis vocalist. The timbres and pronunciations of his poetry are inimitable; the imagery and mood heart-wrenching. Rael's story becomes, for me, fully engaged, internally sympathetic. An amazing song instrumentally, as well, with subtle but strong and tight performances from every single band member, the end, where Hackett also gives perhaps my favorite solo of his, is a special treat. There's even Gabe's flute joining in at the end! As polished a song as Genesis ever did in the "five" format. One of the greatest prog songs ever.(11/10)
3.6: "Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats" (3:07) I LOVE the "enossifications" on this album (as I love Brian Eno's work everywhere). Subtlety, mood; the silence of floating put to music (kind of like his "Julie with"). (10/10) A peaceful, meditative end to one of the most awesome album sides ever put together.
Side 4, song 1: "The Colony of Superman" (8:13)
"The Arrival" provides a mood prep for the transition from "The Lamia/Silent Sorrow" to "A Visit to the Doktor" and "Raven." The story is in full gear, we are truly on board with Rael and John, we can't help but "Show some concern" as Gabe takes us through a harrowing ride to self-discovery and rebirth. (13.5/15)
4.2: "Ravine" (2:04) Another awesome little instrumental interlude. Wish it would go on forever. (5/5)
4.3: "The Light Lies Down on Broadway" (3:32) Very cool recapitulation of the opening score in a slowed down, instrumentally varied quilt. Love all the instrumental restraint and electrically treated instruments of this song. I actually like it better than the opener. (10/10)
4.4: "Riding the Scree" (3:57) Take a ride with Tony! He'll show you what makes a prog keys-man stand out à la RWakeman. Too bad Gabe had to come in so soon, tho' love his "Here I go!" (10/10)
4.5: "In the Rapids" (2:26) Give me those treated 12-string guitar chords that begin this song over and over: Heavenly. Another AMAZING Gabe lyric and virtuosic delivery. Special thanks to Phil's stellar work on the kit. Progwork at its most emotionally potent. (10/10)
4.6: "It." Lyrically, such an intriguing song, (love all the references to other classic songs). Musically, an amazing finale to an amazing album. Everybody riding on high energy, Steve, of course, loving the tempo and showcase. Brilliant. Like an anthem. (9/10) Every time I leave this album, with this song, I am energized, ready to jetté through my day.
95.33 on the Fishscales = A/five stars; a certifiable masterpiece of intricately constructed and performed theatric progressive rock; the pinnacle of progressive album rock. Thank you, Genesis Five!
STEVE HACKETT
Voyage of the Acolyte (1975)
First released in the UK on Charisma Records in October of 1975.
An album that I've selected on this Genesis page despite it's being a Steve Hackett album because of the large and essential contributions of Genesis members, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Steve Hackett / electric & acoustic guitar, Mellotron, harmonium, bells, autoharp, vocals (5), effects, arrangements & co-producer
With:
- Sally Oldfield / vocals (8,10)
- John Acock / Elka Rhapsody synthesizer, Mellotron, harmonium, piano, co-producer
- Mike Rutherford / bass & bass pedals, fuzz 12-string guitar
- Percy Jones / bass (3)
- Johnny Gustafson / bass (6)
- Phil Collins / drums, vibes, percussion, vocals (6)
- John Hackett / flute, ARP synthesizer, bells
- Robin Miller / oboe (6), cor anglais (5)
- Nigel Warren-Green / cello (5)
1. "Ace of Wands" (5:23) forceful if repetitive in a Baroque way. Nice blend of classical songwriting and rock/prog instrumental expression (especially Phil's drums and Steve's acoustic v. electric guitars). And, alas! Tubular ... bells! Steve's guitar melodies in the final 90 seconds are some his best ever.(8.75/10)
2. "Hands of the Priestess, Part I" (3:28) even manages to evoke the ancient Nile River with that opening effected steel-stringed acoustic 12-string guitar. Great flute melodies played by Steve's brother, John. (9.25/10)
3. "A Tower Struck Down" (4:53) explores Steve's penchant for disturbing, horror-type music with deep syncopated pulses, backwards guitar lines, odd percussives, and circus-like themes. (8.75/10)
4. "Hands of the Priestess, Part II" (1:31) returns to the flute and acoustic guitar supported themes before cor anglais takes over before the finale. (5/5)
5. "The Hermit" (4:49) 12-string guitar opens this one before Steve enters to sing with an effected, DONOVAN-like warble. Nice support from strings, flute, and oboe in the instrumental sections. Feels like the inspiration for Richard Wileman's KARDA ESTRA. Marked up for 12-string guitar work and compositional arrangements. (8.75/10)
6. "Star of Sirius" (7:08) Lush synths and Mellotron surrounding Steve's 12-string picking and Phil Collins' multiple tracked vocal. Some themes and melodies are pure bliss. The alternating fast-paced "he who knows love" rock sections are equally good, but it is the dark, minor-key passage in the fourth minute that gives this song its unique power--and the way the oboe and synths bring one out of the tension of darkness (with hope) before Steve's simple yet sublime acoustic guitar picking brings us back to the fast section. More great lead guitar melodies from Steve's multiplicity of guitars in the closing 90 seconds. (14.5/15)
7. "The Lovers" (1:50) spacious solo classical guitar (and later, synths) previewing the themes of the next song. (4.5/5)
8. "Shadow of the Hierophant" (11:44) an unusual format of a bang-in-your-face theme alternated with a contrasting classical guitar and folk-operatic soprano voice of Sally Oldfield. Here, it works, especially as one breaks through into the prolonged instrumental section in the second half with its bass pedal thrums, tubular bells, and etheric electric guitar leads. An awesome, alternately pacifying and then breathtakingly powerful song that is even better when drawn out over twenty minutes in the live format. (20/20)
Total Time 40:46
An awesome album coming at a time of uncertainty for the GENESIS crew, Voyage of the Acolyte contains some strikingly sensitive and beautiful guitar-based atmospherics not unlike that of ANTHONY PHILLIPS on his soon-to-arrive Geese and the Ghost (also with important contributions from MICHAEL RUTHERFORD and PHIL COLLINS). (I find it interesting that neither of these two gems contains any help from keyboardist Tony Banks.) While there is a cohesive flow and consistency to this album--feel and mood---there is something a little muddy in the recording/engineering that always left me feeling a bit frustrated--I wanted to hear the distinctive contributions of all the instruments but they always felt a bit too quiet or muddled. Also, some of the sections--as beautiful as they are--are either repeated too formulaically or go on a bit too long.
93.53 on the Fishscales = A/five stars; a masterpiece of progressive rock music. I liked the album a lot back in the day--played it quite a bit--and still play "Star of Sirius" and "Shadow of the Heirophant" from time to time. It's just recorded too quietly (for some instruments). IMO, this, along with his third album,
Spectral Mornings, is Steve's best solo work of the 70s-80s.
GENESIS A Trick of the Tail (1976)
First released on Charisma Records in February of 1976.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Phil Collins / lead & backing vocals, drums, percussion
- Steve Hackett / electric & 12-string guitars
- Tony Banks / RMI Electra-Piano, ARP Pro Soloist synth, Hammond organ, Mellotron, Echoplex, Leslie cabinet, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford / bass, bass pedals, 12-string guitar
1. "Dance On A Volcano" (5:53) Great opening--especially the second section. Genesis is not dead!
Not sure what the song is about, but it works for me! (8.75/10)
2. "Entangled" (6:28) IMO, one of Genesis's greatest songs--top five! Tony's eerie solo, the 12-strings and bass pedals are awesome. Steve's mixed way too quietly! (10/10)
3. "Squonk" (6:27)
Great opening guitar hook, good vocals with really weak lyrics (Is this the pre-history to "A Trick of the Tail"?). The song really never goes anywhere. (It was pretty boring--a letdown--in concert.) (8.5/10)
4. "Mad Man Moon" (7:35)
Beautiful song, sensitive, melodic, varied and rich. One of Tony Banks's most majestic. (13.5/15)
5. "Robbery, Assault & Battery" (6:15) Genesis had a habit of laying down some really interesting, really beautiful music and then, IMO, ruining it with either horrible lyrics or over-dramatic presentation. This is one of those songs. 9/10 musically + 2/10 lyrics and presentation = average of (7/10)
6. "Ripples" (8:03) A song I can never seem to hear too often or too much. I was always disappointed Hackett's guitar was mixed so far in the background and so thin. (13.75/15)
7. "A Trick Of The Tail" (4:34) is actually a very cute, bouncy song. Theatric and mythic with a modern moral. A nice change of pace. Tight presentation; no fluff or excess. (9.5/10)
8. "Los Endos" (5:46) An awesome overture/finale of this new adventure in Genesis world. (Great concert closer teamed with "Dance on a Volcano" and with Chester and Phil pounding away together in the background.) (10/10)
Total Time 51:01
"Trick" is not a bad album. In fact, it is a rather good album. Why they mixed Hackett so quietly into the mix, I'll never know, but I love hearing the drums, basses, and keys.
I really get the argument that this album may mark the beginning of the Neo Prog era--that the "classic" prog era was over. There is just something 'different' about this and its counterpart
Voyage of the Acolyte.
90.0 on the Fishscales = A-/4.5; a near-masterpiece of progressive rock music despite the fact that it holds a much dearer place in my heart.
GENESIS Wind & Wuthering (1976)
First released on Charisma Records on December 17, 1976.
Line-up / Musicians:
- Phil Collins / vocals, drums, percussion, cymbals
- Steve Hackett / electric, nylon classical & 12-string guitars, kalimba, auto-harp
- Tony Banks / Steinway grand piano, synthesizers (Roland String, ARP 2600 & Pro-Soloist), Hammond organ, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes
- Mike Rutherford / 4-, 6- & 8-string basses, bass pedals, electric & 12-string acoustic guitars
1. Eleventh Earl of Mar (7:41)
2. One for the Vine (10:00)
3. Your Own Special Way (6:18)
4. Wot Gorilla? (3:19)
5. All in a Mouse's Night (6:37)
6. Blood on the Rooftops (5:27)
7. Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers... (2:23)
8. ...In That Quiet Earth (4:49)
9. Afterglow (4:12)
Total Time 50:46
Wind & Wuthering is aurally such a beautiful album, but I understand and appreciate the other reviewers who proclaim the "negative" evolution of Progressive Rock music into a "neo-progressive" era with this album and its predecessor,
A Trick of the Tail. There can be no disputing the fact that the sound and styles of these two albums usher in something new. Along with a rather drastic change in personnel (the low of flamboyant front man PETER GABRIEL, one of the band's founders who decided to leave the band after the tour for their 1974 magnum opus,
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway--a loss that many feared would be insurmountable and would portend the end of the band), there is a change in temperament. It was as if the band made conscious choice to seek a larger, more commercial audience. Did they water down the music? Simplify it for easier access to the masses? It can be argued that the caliber of musicianship is just as high as their previous outputs, yet it might also be argued that the wisdom gained by the musicians' experience and age helped them to come to a mature realization that it wasn't necessarily the flash and complexity that people wanted to hear, that the adage that sometimes "less is more" might have some truth to it. Even the king noodlers of all-time--musicians like Herbie Hancock and Cick Corea, Larry Coryell and John McLaughlin, Tony Wiliams and Billy Cobham, Jan Akkerman and Thijs van Lier, Stanley Clarke and Al Di Meola--eventually realized that passion and emotion do not always have to be expressed through speed and technique.
With the
Trick of the Tail era, Phil Collins-led Genesis became more concerned with the audience connection than before. With Peter Gabriel in the lead it was as if all theatric development was as if by accident and surprise. (Even the other band members were often taken aback by some of Peter's costumes, stylistic choices, and, of course, his bizarre and often macabre extemporaneous space-filling stories. Heck! The most famous story of all revolves around the creation of
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway album.
Peter had become a hot commodity, the "face" of Genesis, and was being courted by other ventures--including Hollywood. As the band was back home in England creating all of the music for their next album--the release to follow their most successful album to date,
Selling England by The Pound--Peter was otherwise occupied in New York City. (Working with
Exorcist director Peter Friedkin.) When Peter finally found time for the Genesis commitments, he took the music and wrote the libretto of story and lyrics over the course of two weeks time. The band was shocked and a little put off that Peter had done all this without them--even distorting some of the music in ways that they didn't necessarily agree with. And yet,
The Lamb was released--under record label pressure--and a tour begun--a tour which had Peter running around on stage as the front man, acting out his libretto, relegating the rest of the band to kind of background or support roles.)
The Lamb and its tour were quite successful--especially in America--but exhausting. Especially to Peter. The reluctant star--who was far more naturally reserved and shy than his stage persona might suggest--could take no more. On August 15, 1975, Genesis' record label officially announced that Peter Gabriel had left Genesis--to concentrate on "other literary and experimental interests outside of music."
With no more Peter Gabriel, the band continued to practice, continued to come up with new music. While Tony tended to his new duties as a father, the other band members collaborated with guitarist Steve Hackett to help render his debut solo album, released under the title,
Voyage of the Acolyte. This gave the four further confidence to go on without Mr. Gabriel.
A few ad hoc attempts to fill Peter's vocal shoes helped the band realize that they could still play all of their old music--and that they could create anew. Natural showman Phil Collins (who'd had quite a glittering resumé in stage theater productions in his youth) was an unexpectedly good stand in as Peter. The problem was with filling the stage presence--something a drummer could not do. Thus was born the idea of hiring a second drummer--one that could fill Phil's shoes when Phil chose to be up front as the standup man. Thus, the great drummer, Bill Bruford, was lured into the fold for the
Trick of the Tail tour and born was the now-iconic stage setup with two drummers, one right handed, the other left, placed on stage risers behind and high above the rest of the band. Genesis concerts, with their vast stage and industry-leading laser light display, became more of a "show" and less the sacred, mystical, intimate "experience" that the small-venued Gabriel-era concerts had conveyed (which some fans lamented and still lament to this day). Thus the band became a stadium-filling headliner like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, and Jethro Tull.
The band was known. With the
Trick of the Tail album, sales were up, for the tour even moreso concert ticket sales, too. The feature of two duelling drummers was a big hit, as was the ground-breaking light show. The band was almost on the verge of becoming a household name. All they needed was an AM-friendly American hit record. With
Wind & Wuthering's "Your Own Special Way" they finally achieved that. What I think the band achieved on
Wind & Wuthering that launched a new era of progressive rock music was to combine their usual penchant for mythic storytelling (something Mr. Gabriel had started and had very much excelled at) with highly memorable melodies over lush, romantic soundscapes while remaining steadfastly committed to their usual standards of superb musicianship. (One might consider Mssrs. Banks, Hackett, and Collins as virtuosi of their respective instruments, i.e. keyboards, guitars, and batterie.)
1. "Eleventh Earl Of Mar" (7:41) one of the greatest openings of any song ever! But then things get marred by the odd, muddled lyrics. The two passages in the song's middle section are also noteworthy for their timeless classic Genesis-worthy beauty, but then amping back up to the story's end sours the mix. How difficult it is to create a perfect classic! How nit-picky we prog lovers become when faced with flaw and less than super-human heights from our gods! (13.5/15) (Such a difficult song to rate.)
2. "One For The Vine" (10:00) a great story sung to perfection by Phil--perhaps his best Genesis vocal ever for the uncharacteristic delicacy in his voice (a characteristic that Peter possessed in spades). Wonderful keyboard and bass play by Tony and Mike, the guitars and drums remain restrained throughout the vocal sections, but come to life, of course, during the instrumental sections. (18/20)
3. "Your Own Special Way" (6:18) a guitar-based song that anyone among the masses could learn and play solo. A song that every young person could scream-sing to the chorus and sing to their special loved one. Some very romantic moments. (8.25/10)
4. "Wot Gorilla?" (3:19) a Phil-credited instrumental that could have come out of a BRAND X session. Tony is great, Phil not as great as one might expect, Mike's 12-string sadly drowned out (but bass-pedals strong), and Steve somehow mixed behind everybody else. (8.25/10)
5. "All In A Mouse's Night" (6:37) opens with a decent sound palette and great bass and drumming and some great singing, but then all falls apart with the soft percussion-&-circus section and the lyrics that follow. Some sad little tricks used to bridge sections. The buildup to and the actual dénouement are so cringeworthy and embarrassing; saddening and disappointing, then followed by one of the lamest fadeout endings Genesis ever did. (8.5/10)
6. "Blood On The Rooftops" (5:27) opening with some of Steve's best classical guitar work ever the song evolves only positively as it goes on, with another of Phil's finest vocals and some of Genesis' finest lyrics. Pure prog perfection (and listen to those synth washes and gorgeous keyboard arpeggi Tony bathes certain sections in). (10/10)
7. "Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers..." (2:23) almost orchestral in its arrangement and rendering with both MIke and Steve's rapid guitar arpeggi and Phil's timpani work providing more than enough backdrop for Tony's haunting synth soloing above. The only flaw would be that that synth sound could have been better. (4.5/5)
8. ...In That Quiet Earth (4:49) really a continuation of the previous song (I feel as if I always considered them one), jumps in with great drumming and great band cohesion with some truly dynamic play--all the while supporting Steve's melodic and then experimental electric guitar soloing. Tony gets a few chances to play with Steve's melody and then interplay with Steve, but it's the bass and drums that delight for me during the first two minutes. Then "the switch" happens. A habit that Steve continued and has not been able to get over of shifting power and beauty in which the two elicit quite drastically different responses from the listener: utter bliss alternated with shock and revulsion. Still, amazing drumming throughout this one. (9/10)
9. Afterglow (4:12) a saccharine simpleton born as a seeming companion to Side One's "Special Way." (8/10)
Total Time: 50:46
There is good music here, very good. "One for the Vine," "Blood on the Rooftops," and even "Eleventh Earl of Mar" [10/10 musically, 3/10 lyrically] achieve the same heights as some of the earlier Genesis "classic." As for the other songs, more often than not the sound draws one in but then some element puts one off: poor lyrics, over simplified song structures, or silly idiosynchrosies, etc. For example, "Eleventh Earl of Mar" opens the LP with such promise--and musically continues to do so--but those lyrics! Ridiculous! Same with "All in a Mouse's Night" [9/10 musically, 2/10 lyrically]. Phil Collins' simple stories for the simple man are no match for the macabre Grimms-worthiness or ambiguous, even absurd Carroll-ingian tales social-commentary tales of Peter Gabriel! The rest of the album is too much "trying too hard" to impress (Steve Hackett on "'Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers/In that Quiet Earth," Phil's on "Wot Gorilla") or to get a pop hit ("Your Own Special Way" and "Afterglow"). Again, an amazingly warm sound with the usual high Genesis musicianship but the song composition has met with an impasse: the lyrical content and commercial desire are not served so well by the old song constructs. Tensions are running high as the decision has to be made: will it be a new Genesis for the masses or the old parochial music reaching its fewer more cerebral listeners. Mr. Hackett let us know his choice: He left the band to pursue his own highly experimental creative juices. And then there were three . . . .
88.0 on the Fishscales = B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of neo-romantic progressive rock music; the birth of a new sound.
ANTHONY PHILLIPS The Geese and The Ghost (1977)
First released on Hit & Run Music in March of 1977.
I include this album in a Genesis page because, like Steve Hackett, there are many Genesis elements and contributors to this album that make it feel like a Genesis album. We all know that Ant was one of the founding members of the band from their Charterhouse days but that the act of live stage performance was something that he did not enjoy. This did not mean that Ant stopped composing (or stopped learning to play music on many instruments). It just took him half a decade to get his music back out to the public. And we can thank his life-long friendship with Mike Rutherford that he did and continued to do so.
3. "Henry - Portraits From Tudor Times" (12:11) (24.5/25) :
- i) Fanfare 0:56
- ii) Lute's Chorus 2:00
- iii) Misty Battlements 1:15
- iv) Henry Goes To War 3:36
- v) Death Of A Knight 2:33
- vi) Triumphant Return 1:46
