FOXTROT

Foxtrot sees the band finally setting in with a comfortable sound and a songwriting inspiration that was partially missing in their previous efforts. The album is more consistent than Nursery Crime, and doesn't suffer from the shoddy production which hampered the albums before it. This is arguably their heaviest and most energetic album, for which there is also a slight absence in their more folky sound.

The album opens with perhaps one of the greatest intros in all of prog. 'Watcher of the Skies' (10/10) is a perfect example of Mellotron use at its best. It's also amazing what they can do with a simple sounding riff in 6/4.

'Time Table' (6/10) is a slightly medieval sounding song littered by Tony's great keyboards. 'Get 'Em Out By Friday' (7/10) is one of the band's quirkier songs, relying on mood contrasts between some more melancholic sounding passages and the light and fun passages with Gabriel's extravagant vocals.

Can-Utility and the Coastlines' (10/10) shows what Genesis can do in such a short song format. The song is jam packed with great melodies, but never feels bloated. The Mellotron is especially good here.

Horizons is a beautiful song, but I treat it, as do many others I'm sure, as part of the following epic. With that said, 'Supper's Ready' (10/10) is simply one of the greatest moments of Genesis, if not THE greatest. Supper's Ready takes the structural complexity and emotional greatness of The Musical Box and takes it to a different level. Every section is so different from the others but they are all strung together flawlessly. You get the beautiful acoustic intro, the keyboard dominated Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man, the rocking middle section, the beautiful flute driven Willow Farm, and the chaotic apocalypse in 9/8. The song is as perfect as you can get, and will remain one of the greatest epics in prog history.

Foxtrot is Genesis at their creative peak. It is a must have for fans of prog or just good music in general.

9/10