FOXTROT

So after Nursery Cryme, Genesis would gain a neat cult following. The guys were offering something in the music business that was indeed very unique and original. The guys came up(especially Peter) with Theatrics that were really weird and quirky at the same time. Peter would wear an old man's mask on stage during the Musical Box, he and the band created the stage presence that they were noted for early on in their career. After Nursery Cryme came Foxtrot which took things further and they created yet again another great recording in my humble opinion. This was their best album up that point for me.I will go over what I liked and didn't like of the album.The classic line-up of Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins were at it again.So on with this one, right!!

Here is the track listing for Foxtrot(1972)

1. Watcher Of The Skies-this piece begins with a very odd Mellotron played by Tony Banks, it is so off-key but yet so great and haunting. When you hear it, you are thinking in your head "I'm in for a ride". It quickly builds up in dynamics. I love how the bass, guitar and drums are all dialed in.Peter's vocals are so emotional(he really knows how to barrel in) It is Genesis growing into better players before our eyes. They have always been great songwriters but here they get a little showy and they pull this off so well. I love Steve's guitar playing on this song, it is classic Genesis. I love this piece.10/10

2. Time Table- I love this one it is so relaxing(listen to that piano intro). Again Peter puts in a great effort on the vocals(you can really feel what he is singing) . Musically it sounds like a rather easy piece but it's still good. I like to sit back and relax when I listen to it. It's one of those beautiful tunes that just gets you. 9/10

3. Get 'Em Out By Friday- This one is a masterpiece, it evokes the evils of landlords of the world.Once again, Pete puts this one into perspective. It sort of reminds of ELP but not really but Tony still plays the organ on this one and it sounds really really good. I love how it is loud then it decrescendos then Pete announces "This is an announcement from genetic control: It is my sad duty to inform you of a four foot restriction on Humanoid height". It just creates a weird atmosphere and I love it. Peter plays a fantastic flute solo that reminds me of some classical music, it's just an overall great and haunting early Genesis piece. 10/10

4. Can-Utility And The Coastliners- Initially I really didn't like this one but oh my I love it now. It sounds very mythical and then it hits you(listen to that Mellotron played by Tony) it is so dramatic and cinematic. Now I love just about everything about it. Steve's playing, Phil's drumming, Tony's keys it 's all there, even Mike shows off a little(he never gets his dues, don't know why). It is one of my favorite Genesis tunes that no one really talks about at all. 10/10

5. Horizons- This little guitar piece from Steve Hackett is just brilliant it sets to the mood for the next piece which I'm gonna get to soon enough. It's a haunting little classically inspired guitar piece. A great piece 10/10

Now we get to side 2(if it were on vinyl). The epic song of Genesis and hands down one of Prog Rock's greatest epics ever. I'm of course talking about Supper's Ready, to quote Pete from the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway:" Here I Go"

6. Supper's Ready- I will now dissect all the part to this massive epic

i. Lover's Leap- This section sets up the song for you, there is some tasty and complex playing through(Oh my!!!). Those backing vocals from Phil really do send shivers down your spine don't they "Six saintly shrouded men move across the lawn slowly"(wow!!!) what vocals. It builds up and heads to The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man

ii. The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man- This portion of the song is the awe inspired verses that we all know "Can't you see he's fooled you all'. It really is of epic proportions. I love it that section which leads to Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men

iii. Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men- This section has that great Steve Hackett solo and it just plain rocks "Bang, bang,bang"(Ha). To me it sounds like The Who(woah!!). I just think it's really rocking nothing more to say about this section.

iv. How Dare I Be So Beautiful?- This is the weird section wear it calms down and decrescendos Here are the lyrics: "Wandering in the chaos the battle has left,We climb up the mountain of human flesh,To a plateau of green grass, and green trees full of life. A young figure sits still by a pool,He's been stamped "Human Bacon" by some butchery tool. (He is you) Social Security took care of this lad. We watch in reverence, as Narcissus is turned to a flower. A flower?" Nothing much needs to be said there.

v. Willow Farm- This is the funny yet scary portion of the song "Mum diddly washing, Mum diddly washing'(haha). It's just a playful, odd, scary section. I like it a lot

vi. Apocalypse in 9/8 (featuring the delicious talents of Gabble Ratchet)-You thought the song was epic by now you haven't heard anything yet here is the climax to me. Tony plays those organ solos with so much precision(it is here where he starts to show what he is capable of doing). I love the rhythm section.The drums, the guitars and bass it's all there(let this be a lesson in Polyrhythmics to all you!!!!!). Then it just sends chills down your spine when Pete sings "666 is no longer alone"(Oh my!!!!). This is probably the best Genesis song!!!!!!!

vii. As Sure as Eggs is Eggs (Aching Men's Feet)- This is the legendary ending where Peter screams out " To take them to the new Jerusalemmmmmm"! . I mean it ends the way an epic is supposed to end. I love it. Overall The Entire Suite gets a 10/10

This album is one of my very favorite Prog albums, not my favorite Genesis recording but it's damn close. This album gets a 59/60. Which of course translates to a masterpiece.Buy it!!!! Highly recommended. Peace out!!!!