TRESPASS

Trespass is where Genesis' real career starts. Even many huge Genesis fans will likely never listen to their debut, for two reasons. A) It's extremely difficult to find. B) It's not very good at all (or so I've heard). I consider this their real debut, but technically it isn't. They had started as an underground pop band, but with the release of "In The Court of." they changed their musical direction to a more progressive flavour.

This is not a very polished album. The sound quality is poor, and Mayhew's drumming is sloppy at times. When Collins joins the band, things come together and become tighter but as for now, it's a bit held back. But besides that, the album is very good. The band's exceptional skill at writing is realized and tasted (in a great portion!). Looking For Someone begins the albums very nicely, with Gabriel's distinctive voice and his significant lyrics. The entire LP flows from beautiful organ and vocals to upbeat, fast-paced symphonic rockers. The addition of flute is very well placed. This is a very symphonic album: it's full of keyboards and flute, and it's very soft and delicate. The band is focusing on their stellar songwriting, and keeping the flashy musicianship for later (see Foxtrot). Writing, in my opinion, is far more important.

The lyrics are excellent, and work perfectly with the music. The Knife in particular has very meaningful and thought-provoking lyrics (read on). Also, imagery is very strong (".Jungles of Ice.") throughout the disc. The music on this record is very moving, and emotionally clinging. Visions of Angels' lyrics leave a lasting effect, and the overall atmosphere and mood of this album is one-of-a-kind and unforgettable. Even Dusk, the shortest track on the album, is very full of character and gently soothing. It's an acoustic song, for the most part, and is extremely intriguing.

All of the tracks leading up the Knife build tension and set the mood. When that climatic track finally comes, it's very exciting. It begins strongly, but in the standard Genesis fashion. But when the band goes into the psychedelic, swampy section, and then come blaring back in full glory, it's really astonishing, and isn't something that should be missed. The Knife is genuine progressive rock.

Lyrically, "The Knife," is fantastic. The narration trades from the voice of a nation of soldiers to the voice of a leader (possibly a dictator, or simply a power-hungry tyrant). This tyrant convinces his men to kill all who oppose them. The imagery of the poem is quite gruesome ("...Carry their heads to the palace of old, Hang them high, let the blood flow..."), which illuminates Peter Gabriel's hatred toward violent behavior. After all their bloody destruction, the soldiers justify their heinous crimes by saying "We are only wanting freedom".

Despite the album's many shortcomings, it is among the most important albums in my collection. Its writing is phenomenal, and triumphs over all its faults. Nearly every moment of this album is completely beautiful.