NURSERY CRYME

It seems that this EP was released on the US only, as maybe a sample to present the band to America. However, it marks a turning point to the band: The Musical Box was not only a classic track, but it also gave the band something they lacked so far: a true, unique and powerful musical personality. Their sound had had a giant leap from Genesis to Revelation to Trespass, but still they lacked a truly unified trademark sound. With Nursery Cryme in general (and The Musical Box in Particular) they found it: the story line of The Musical Box is pure classic british fantasy and terror in all its glory. Musical speaking, with new members Steve Hackett and Phil Collins on board, they had matured a style of their very own and would leave a mark on the musical scene forever. it is only ironic that, although credited as written solely by the current line up of Genesis, this masterpiece started life as an instrumental piece written by former guitarist Anthony Phillips, initially entitled "F#" (its musical key). It seems that Phillips was not bothered by this, however.

Anyway, this EP also contains two other fine, remarkable, tracks: the acoustic For Absent Friends (written by newcomers Collins and Hackett) which was the first Genesis song featuring Phil Collins on lead vocals, and the complex The Fountain of Salmacis, with its heavy mellotron intro that would be another feature in the new Genesis sound.

As an EP, a great introduction to the band. But since all the three songs were already available on the LP Nursery Cryme, this is surely for collectors and completionists. Nursery Cryme (the album) has another set of strong tracks and it is always better to have them all in the same package. However, it is impossible not to give this fantasitci EP less than 4 stars since all the tracks are classics.