THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY

"The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" is a compilation of Genesis and was released in 1981. This is a compilation with a very strange name. I can't see the reason why for its name. It's true it has two tracks which were originally released on that album and one of them is its title track. But two tracks in six are definetelly too short to can understand the real reason for the choice of this strange name. This compilation comprises tracks which were originally released on four studio albums of Genesis. We have two tracks from their second studio album "Trespass", released in 1970, one track from their third studio album "Nursery Cryme", released in 1971, one track from their fourth studio album "Foxtrot", released in 1972 and two tracks from their sixth studio album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", released in 1974.

"The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" compilation has six tracks. The first track "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" is the title track song originally released on their sixth studio album with the same name, in 1974. It's the opener for that album and it's also one, if not my favorite track, on that entire album. Despite the album be a conceptual album, this track is very representative of the album as a whole. This track is one of the most accessible songs on that album and in the entire early Genesis' catalog. It has some great lyrics that really set the scene and gives a nice introduction to the story of the album. It became a landmark for Genesis. The second track "The Musical Box" is a song originally released on their third studio album "Nursery Cryme" in 1971. It's an epic track, which became as one of the most famous pieces of Genesis, acquiring the status of one of the band's symbols. Curiously, it includes an accredited writing contribution by their former member Anthony Phillips, because it begins with an instrumental piece written by him, when he was member of the group. The album's cover is also a depiction of the story of the song. The music begins calm, and grows in intensity until reach an explosion of energy. The third track "White Mountain" is a song originally released on their second studio album "Trespass" in 1970. This is a music piece based on acoustic guitar and complemented by great keyboard work. The song is a fable about a wolf who seeks to usurp the authority of their leader. It has a wonderful melodic tune, with sympathetic acoustic guitar, and choir like vocals to end. It's a very melodic and soft song influenced by the folk music. All this is framed by frantic chase music and the trademark interlocking, chiming 12 string guitar passages that old Genesis' fans love so much. The fourth track "The Carpet Crawlers" is also a song originally released on their sixth studio album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" in 1974. This is arguably the most beautiful song on that album and the most romantic too. The music for this song is very beautiful and very solid. It's smooth, relaxing and meaningful to the story of the album. The keyboard work of Banks is really incredible, as usual. I really also like the lyrics and the vocals on this track, alongside Banks' keyboard work and Hackett's gentle guitar lines. The song has also a great and fantastic melody. The fifth track "The Knife" is also a song originally released on their second studio album "Trespass" in 1970. This is the greatest highlight of that album. It quickly became the first classic track of Genesis. This is a composition unusually aggressive for the band and, in my humble opinion, it pronounces, in a certain way, the path the band would follow on their next albums. It's the most famous song on that album and it's also the heaviest track ever recorded by Genesis. This is a frantic, menacing song, which pounds along like an out of control express train. This is the great highlight of "Trespass". The sixth track "Watcher Of The Skies" is a song originally released on their fourth studio album "Foxtrot" in 1972. This is one of the most popular and beloved songs by their fans, and one of the most played live by the band. Even Hackett, plays often this song on his live shows. This is a great opener for "Foxtrot" which gives a sense of majesty and power, to the beginning of the album. It's a brilliant track, starting off with simple, yet harmonious keyboards. It kicks with a dramatic mellotron introduction being joined by bass and drums to lead into Gabriel's almost chanted vocals. This is an amazing track for all mellotron lovers, like I am.

Conclusion: "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" compilation is one more compilation of the so many compilations of Genesis that sprout like wild mushrooms from the ground. Of course I'm not saying that we are in presence of a bad compilation. In reality, all the six tracks are great and very well representative of their golden musical era. It seems to me like more an attempt of their record company to make some more extra money. However, we aren't here to judge the real intentions of their record label but the real quality of this compilation. And about it, I have no doubts. This is really a great compilation. It has six great tracks taken from four of Genesis' better studio albums. The four albums belong to which is considered their golden musical era and I've nothing to oppose to that choices. Still, we can always question the need of these compilations of progressive rock bands. In reality, they don't bring anything new. So, this isn't an essential purchase. It can't substitute any Genesis' original studio album. Then, I think 3 stars is the right rating to it.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)