NURSERY CRYME

As a fan of Genesis, Nursery Crime is a great album for me, but not into the top ones of the band. We have two great classic, the rest are good too, but in an inferior level. In addition the sound and mixing is not good, and that is really a problem, unless in the original recording.

Musical Box and The Fountain of Salmacis are the best of the album. The first one is a classic progressive rock number, which represents the atmosphere of the album and is associated with the cover art (one of the best cover art ever). Great lyrics and an alternation between peaceful parts and aggressive instrumental sections. All with an underlying violence. The closing section is grandiose, combining the powerful voice of Gabriel with a superb organ tunes and this great electric guitar solo. The Fountain of Salmacis was development from a Banks idea, and in my opinion is the best track of the album. The track tells a history (a greek mythology story), which fits really well with the music constructing a great atmosphere. The song includes an incredible keyboard solo and a guitar one at the end.

The album has two more long tracks. The Return of the giant hogweed is an 8 minutes progressive track with a really symphonic feel, in a strong way. On the other hand, Seven stones is a progressive song but based in beautiful and peaceful melodies. The song ends with a fantastic mellotron solo. The album completes with three short songs, with I could call fillers. For absent friends is the best of the three, and the first one sung by Phil Collins. The other two, have not much to offer.

Four stars