FOXTROT

I don't consider any Genesis album my favourite. This would be it if instead of Watcher and Get 'em out by friday, it had Musical box and Hogweed. However, the first two are still two great songs very representative of the prog rock movement. Watcher of the skies moving you from one mood to another before you notice, keeping that strange yet very interesting style that could well be an obvious example of what prog was all about; originality, complex composition and out of the ordinary concepts.

Time table is a simplier song yet really enjoyable with interesting changes in the melody and excelent evolution of strings and piano.

Get 'em out by Friday has to be listened carefully to appreciate the best of it. Few people may really be aware of the tale behind the lyrics here. While Gabriel is singing a very peculiar song, the music behind it is telling a story of its own, being very complex, full of diversity. Never just playing as a complement to the voice. That is an outstanding feature in this song since there is practically no space in the track without the voice. Now, about Gabriel's singing. I can't think of any vocalist that could or can show that many characters in such a consistent manner and with such conviction. Gabriel was simply the master of interpretation.

When it came down to the writing and composition of songs, no one could stand a chance against Genesis. While other bands needed of 15 to 23 minutes to present a concept, Genesis would only need 5:43 minutes to do it, and do it in the highest of the standards. The middle instrumental section is wonderful, not only for the way it developes and ends, but also because of the passion and depth in every note. Genesis definitelly made clear they had a trademark no one could match in their standards of originality and imagination.

Horizon's is a short guitar tune just preliminar to the greatest epic of all time in the Rock history. Supper's ready is a space of time where imagination, creativity, originality, fun and passion work restlessly. Before you notice you are listening to the minute 3, 5, 7, 9 etc. and the interest is the same. You may have heard 5 or 6 different melodies, moods, dozens of different combinations of sounds and may have never noticed the change between every section of the track. And the best part and one of the greatest strenghts of Genesis, it always sound natural, never seems to be pushy or writen against the will of any member of the band. No matter what other fans think of other so called epics, this one is the best. It is definitelly not the best in terms of technical playing, compared to Tarkus or even Thick as a brick and Close to the edge. But it is definitelly the best when it comes to songwriting, diversity and creation of styles and moods. The outstanding presentation of textures in this track is amazing. No one could dare saying this track is not the best when it comes to creating an alternative world, listening to it takes you somewhere outside this dimension. Puts you inside a book, with colours, smells and flavours in the sharpest and brightest presentation.

And the end of the track...Wow !!. The best ending to any epic ever. So tight, exciting and intense that makes you wanna cry in those "small and big" moments of climax here and there. With excelent composition never leaving a space for monotony, never feeling repetitive or dull. The sounds, so strange, yet so inspiring and original that makes you feel pride for the progressive rock genre as a whole.

This album, is not only essential, this could easily be the very first reference to the progressive rock genre. 6 stars hands down.