NURSERY CRYME

The first song on this album is the definitive Genesis song. Everything they did after this song was, in a way, an extension of what was done in this song. It has everything: the hypnotic acoustic guitar and flute playing that had become the trademark of Genesis with Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins excellent drumming and angelic backup singing, Steve Hackett's wickedly impressive epic guitar playing, Tony Banks complex chord structures, and Peter Gabriel's dark, powerful, and intensely emotional voice.

It is no surprise that Phillips, Gabriel, Banks, Collins, Hackett, and Rutherford were all involved in writing this song. It all just seemed to come together so seemlessly with The Musical Box. It is also probably one of the creepiest songs ever written, and the emotional ending to the song is possibly the best Genesis moment ever. It was the song that marked the arrival of Genesis as a force to be reckoned with and established their distinct sound. The definitive five man lineup was completed with this album.

Although the departure of Phillips was a major blow to the band, the replacement they got for him, Steve Hackett, proved to be more than they could have hoped for. He contributes heavily to the humorous Return of the Giant Hogweed, and The Fountain of Salmacis, two of the best Genesis mini-epics ever written. The addition of accomplished drummer, Phil Collins, was also a major boost to the bands sound. His drum technique is top notch, and his high pitched voice was a perfect counterpart to Gabriel's lead.

The rest of this album is also truly great. Seven Stones is a fantastic song about an old man's method of making decisions. Harold the Barrel is probably the funniest song they had written about a man threatening to jump from a building's window ledge. For Absent Friends is a nice little song featuring the debut of Phil Collins as lead vocalist. And Harlequin is a beautiful song featuring all five members voices harmonizing beautifully. This album is an essential masterpiece.