THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY

"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" by Genesis is a double concept album and the final album to feature Peter Gabriel on vocals. He would go on to pursue a successful solo career a couple years after the release of this album. "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is by far the most ambitious Genesis album. However, I feel that that is the very reason why this album suffers a bit. I personally believe that there is a stronger single album within this record. The concept is quite abstract and at times cryptic. The story goes down bizarre avenues, especially on the second album. "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is one of the most enigmatic albums I've ever listened to, and while that adds to the greatness of it, there's also an element of confusion felt throughout the album. This album contains standout tracks as well as mostly fluff tracks, and every track flows right into each other. Tony Banks, as usual but particularly on this album, dominates the music with his keyboards and keyboard solos. I don't mind it, but it does hinder the other musicians' ability to shine, such as Steve Hackett, who's presence is barely felt on this album in my opinion. I will only review select tracks on the album as there are twenty-three tracks.

The title track opens the album, and is accessible sounding and bouncy. The lyrics set the scene of New York vividly in the mind of the listener. "Fly on a Windshield" contains one of the heaviest moments on the album, and overall is fantastic. "In the Cage" is a classic Genesis song. This song radiates with anxiety as our hero, Rael, is trapped in a cage and is trying to escape. Banks plays a great keyboard solo and Gabriel gives an excellent vocal performance. "Back in N.Y.C." is one of the heaviest Genesis songs, mainly due to Peter Gabriel's raspy vocals which are amazing. "Hairless Heart" is one of my favorite interludes on the album as the main melody is hauntingly beautiful. "The Carpet Crawlers" is my favorite song on the album and one of my favorite songs of all time. It is soothing and contains one of the most gorgeous melodies I have ever heard. The main refrain of "You have to get in to get out" gives me chills and has always made me think of conception. "The Chamber of 32 Doors" is a powerful ending to the first album.

"The Waiting Room" is a song that captures the juxtaposition of darkness and light, and the resolution at the end is beautiful. While "The Lamia" is lyrically a surreal song, the music is gorgeous. Genesis go ambient on "Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats", and this is one of the most underrated Genesis songs in my opinion. The atmosphere surrounding the repeated melody is poignant. "The Colony of Slippermen" is perhaps the strangest song on the entire record. The music has a bouncy shuffle groove with odd lyrics from Gabriel. "Riding the Scree" is mostly instrumental and is in 9/8 time, however it's not particularly memorable or interesting in comparison to other Genesis instrumentals that came before or after it. "It" is the closing track, and lyrically speaking, the album ends ambiguously. Genesis have always had powerful album closers, but this pales in comparison to most of them.

In conclusion, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is a disjointed, strange, yet beautiful album. It does lose steam towards the end of the second album, and overall the second album feels rushed and at times sloppily written. This is not to discredit the highlights, of which there are many. "Carpet Crawlers," "Back in N.Y.C.," and "In the Cage," are among the best Genesis songs. This is an album that I have to be in the mood to sit down and listen to. Unfortunately, many of these songs need to be heard in the context of the album. I say unfortunately because it's difficult to isolate certain songs. It's like reading a random excerpt or chapter of a book; the story becomes incoherent. Most of the time when I listen to "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", I absolutely love it. But there are a few times when listening to it where it doesn't impact me like previous Genesis albums. That's why I am, with reluctance, giving this album four stars.