MUSIC IN A DOLL'S HOUSE

The first time I heard this album (only two or three years ago, now) I found myself thinking--almost immediately--"So this is where GENESIS got their sound"--at least the sound that they displayed on their first album, now known as "...from Genesis to Revelation." The instrumental effects, the song stylings, and especially the vocal stylings and effects used by Peter Gabriel imitate those of Family and Roger Chapman, respectively, quite strikingly. The Charterhouse lads' first album was released nine months after this one so it is quite likely that Peter, Tony, Ant, and Mike were familiar with the album--especially as it did not take long for The Family's acclaim to vault it into the same conversations with fellow psychedelic rockers Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, The Move, and The Nice. Anyway, to Music in a Doll's House (which, for some reason, is one of my all-time favorite album titles). There are an alarming amount of stylistic varieties represented here--especially remarkable for a first album release. Producer DAVE MASON did a great job of capturing the essential spirit of each song in these relatively short song formats. There are a lot of blues- founded songs--especially in the middle of the album (7/ "Old Songs, New Song" through 10. "See Through Windows") but it is the more unusual, treated Chappo-vocal songs that verge into the realm of psychedelia that intrigue and interest me most (especially in the way I feel I'm listening to "..from Genesis to Revelation" Peter Gabriel), like "The Chase," "Me My Friend," "Peace of Mind," "Voyage," though the more folk-oriented Cat Stevens-like songs like "Mellowing Grey" "3 x Time" are also intriguing. I also adore the three little "Variations" (on themes). I could feast on a little more of those! A great album from an amazing period of music. Not essential as a landmark or hallmark of progressive rock music but definitely an excellent addition to any prog lover's collection!