TRESPASS

In MIke Rutherford's words Genesis became a band between the releases of "From Genesis to Revelations" and "Trespass" - they became a cohesive force in music. The first album was really songs written by the band without the intention of recording them themselves - they thought of themselves initially as songwriters.

The tracks on this album were extensively done live prior to the recording of the album so the band were comfortable in recording them. John Mayhew is competent on the drum seat on this album although, as to the band's admission, he wasn't really good enough as to what they pictured for the band ultimately. The only real musician related weakness that I do find on the album is with the drums.

Anthony Phillips was almost regarded by the members to be the driving force and the leader of the band at this time but his dislike of, or of not being able to handle, live performances is essentially the reason that he left the band after this album.

What of the music itself on this album?

It is immediately apparant on the first track "Looking for Someone" that the Genesis sound has changed quite drastically to what was on the "Genesis to Revelations" album. The lyrics are deep, the music is deep and dramatic. Gone is the bubbly, airy sound of the first album.

"White Mountain" About a battle for leadership within a pack of wolves on the surface. Isn't the will to lead and the battle for leadership, whether it involves wolves or human beings, invariably similar to this tale's portrayal of such things? Good dramatic track where you can almost feel the battle through the music.

"Visions of Angels". To me this track is about unrequited love for a woman. It is a gentle piece of music with more than a touch of sadness and angst in it. On a deeper level the lyrics are about the loss of childhood.

"Stagnation" almost strange lyrics on the surface about a man who buries himself miles beneath the ground for a time and who emerges as the last man on earth. This, to me, is about isolation, about people who isolate themselves from others who ultimately find that there is a better truth in belonging. A softer track that gets quite dramatic in places. It's a delicate track in parts and an intricate piece of music.

"Dusk" - a delicate, fragile track about a man contemplating his own death.

"The Knife" is the album closer and it is a powerful closer. The consequences of repressing people is really the topic of the lyrics imo. A challenging, technical, piece of songwriting that is very good indeed.

This is a very good album that one must absorb and take the time to get to know and the rewards of doing so are great indeed. A very solid four star rating from me for an album that I would say is essential to any progressive Genesis fan and any fan of progressive rock that enjoys theatrical, dramatic, emotive music that carries a plethora of ideas and nuances throughout the music. I've wrestled with my reasons for not awarding the full 5 stars here but as there were true 5 star rating albums on the way from Genesis I feel justified in a way with my 4 star rating. Why do I then feel as if I've overlooked something or ignored some deeper side of me that wants to press the 5 star button?