NURSERY CRYME

This is most definitely a remarkable classic prog album. For me, and like some other fans of early Genesis, it wasn't love at first listen. It's an album that may well need some time to grow on you, although initially it is still very intriguing. I remember digging it out having not heard it for a very long time before I finally remembered how good it was.

It was the third album by the band and the first to feature the classic line up including Phil Collins on drums and Steve Hackett on guitar. "Musical Box" is a favourite for most fans and lyrically it tells a dark story set in the Victorian days. Hackett's guitar helped to display an aggressive sound on this record. Bank's excellent keyboard work also created a punch when needed. Another track on this level is "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" which is also quite interesting being about an onslaught of hogweeds against the human race. There is also some exceptional mellotron work by Banks on "The Fountain of Salmacis" and "Seven Stones".

A folky feel is retained on songs such as "Harlequin" and "Absent Friends". These tracks are very gentle and nicely break up the variety of the album. The sound and feeling of the album is very original and it's especially a marvel when you realise that the music and imagination all came from bunch of young lads in thier early 20's. Great stuff, although the sound quality isn't quite as substantial as on the following releases. 4 stars.