FOXTROT

My first Genesis album was a compilation I purchased in 1975, which featured music from their early albums including Watcher of the Skies, Get 'em Out by Friday and Supper's Ready. It was two lps for 3.49, quite a steal. The only songs I really liked off the album were the Foxtrot tracks. This album and Trick of the Tail were my introduction to the band. Trick of the Tail is still one of my favorite Genesis albums. I actually enjoy the two albums for the guitar work, which is the influence of Anthony Phillips from what I understand. In Progressive Rock Reconsidered, the author quotes Phil Collins stating that even after Philips left the band they kept his guitar sound. I enjoy thenlush arpeggios and clean harpsichord-like guitar work. The author also states that Genesis always held a special place in the English progressive rock community and the ability to perform Supper's Ready was the sign that any cover band was ready to gig. This may be why most of the neo-prog bands tend to owe a lot to Genesis' sound.

There is no doubt that Genesis has made an important contribution to early progressive rock but they have been so over-rated by members of this website, it is hard to be objective in a review. I suggest that anyone who thinks that Genesis was somehow unparalleled in their ensemble playing listen to ELP Karneveil#9, Second Impression, Yes, Perpetual Change or Gentle Giant, Proclamation. Great ensemble playing was exemplary of most of the progressive rock bands and Genesis was not exceptional in anyway that the other bands were not.

The lyric writing here is generally superior to much progressive rock fare. But since you have to listen to Gabriel croak out the melody, it sets a four star album back at least one star. Progressive rock is about the ability to play your instrument after all.

The type of relentless elation that greets Genesis reception seems to be indicative of what one would expect from pop music, the kind that Genesis was associated in the 1980s. I think that one needs to understand that Genesis did not hold a special place in everyone's heart. Though they were the most English sounding of the progressive rock bands, The Moody Blues and Yes were actually quite commerically successful while still sounding very English.

This is one of my favorite Genesis albums but garners no more than three stars for no other reason than it is not as special as people have made it out to be.