NURSERY CRYME

It starts with a very good song "The Musical Box." This song is very appealing and beautiful up until the harder instrumental section...then it loses its magic. However, the first couple minutes are among Genesis' best in their entire history. I love Peter Gabriel's uneven, emotive singing on this. Phil Collins does some good backup vocals on this as well...-"here it comes again"

It moves into the very short and sweet little english folk tune - "For Absent Freinds" this song is very breif and features Phil Collins on lead vocals, so short and sweet it leaves you wanting more but satisfied with what you heard. Something about this song that gets me smiling, great guitar work by hackett and Banks.

I am not very into the third track..."Hogweed" just doesnt do it for me. The intro sounds like a badly recorded version of Muse. However, I know there are those of you who enjoy it, I personally think it unnecesary.

"Seven Stones" is a delight with great mellotron in it. Peter Gabriel really works this one over on the vocals and you gotta love the chord arrangment. This is a great one with good - classic Genesis lyrics.

"Harold The Barrel" - thought this one was atrocious on first listen, the more I tried it, the more I liked it. It is a fun song that gets to you. The thing is quite odd but definatly original and great fun!

"Harlequin" isn't fantastic, but doesnt take away from anything either, the standard 12 string based song is there. It isn't neccesarily innovative but it is nice and peaceful.

"Fountain of Salmacis" is an interesting piece, it has some great keys and guitar in it. Pretty well layered singing and some nicely played percussion in the middle of it. I love the organ played by Banks. Good ending as well.

Collins does some top notch drumming, good singing. Gabriel isn't at his best vocal wise, but does well. Banks is his usual solid self. Hackett has some intricate guitar work but will come to do better on later albums. Rutherfords bass playing is very good and fits Genesis perfectly.

The recording quality isn't all that great, especially for listening to in the car but the good songs are there. Genesis fans, this is a must have, other proggers, this wouldnt be a bad one to start with but...This one will not grab at first listen - as I have found with most Genesis releases, with time it will grow on you.

I would recommend it!