NURSERY CRYME

This was the first album featuring Phil Collins and Steve Hacket, and the second Genesis masterpiece. Hackett guitar playing style is very similar to early Philips at Trespass, and Hackett finally stamped the real Genesis kind of guitar feeling with his presence here. The atmospheric development by the guitar work is superb. Phil Collins knew how and the right time to do his things ond drums, he was a true prog drummer. He is not the kind of Neil Peart, I can't remember any technical drum fills from Collins, but his progressive way of follow the tune is just perfect to Genesis. Tony Banks fits very well here too, and his works are amazing, especially at The Return of The Giant Hogweed intro and The Fountain of Salmacis (two classic songs, and both favorites of mine) . Rutherford bass lines are very funny to listen to, mainly at the most fast sections. And about Peter Gabriel... What could I say? Anybody knows a better frontman? His storyteller skills are unquestionable, since his voice to his personality and representation at stage.

The cover art concept, together with the album title (Nursery Cryme) and the first track, The Musical Box, is parodying a famous nursery rhyme, and the booklet brings a short comic horror tale including the Old King Cole rhyme and the girl who killed the boy removing his head with a croquet mallet. The atmosphere of this song is dark, it starts slow and gets angry with time, with an incredible crescendo. The structure of the song is well elaborated, as any other track here. My favorite track is The Return of The Giant Hogweed. The plot / lyrics and the music in itself is awesome! The lyrics and stories here are seriously the best from the whole Genesis discography. Maybe everybody knows the classic tracks, like the epic musical adaptation of a greek myth at The Fountain of Salmacis, but just take a look at Seven Stones and other non- hype tracks, they are all great too. You should listen to Harold the Barrel following the lyrics at the booklet, where you will find the phrases named for every character of this theatrical piece (like Get'em Out By Friday at the Foxtrot album).

A complete masterpiece! I love everything about Nursery Cyrme (but Harlequin, a short uncatchy and irrelevant track).