NURSERY CRYME

This is where the magic/theater truly begins... Peter Gabriel's lyrics are coming to their full expression on this record. The title Musical box is beautifully described with Genesis' (often) pastoral mood-using acoustic 12 string guitars. As for Gabriel,he sings his lyrics so convincing,so you can really get in the right mood while listening... Of course,this is after all rock&roll, so the song has its parts where you have a steady beat,and the band goes wild... The song culminates at the end with the catchy refrain - Why don't you touch me NOW!!!! and Hackett close the song with layered guitar solo... You can fully experience this song only by watching them perform it live back in 1973.... The story of Old Michael and his costume really give this song the theatrical aproach that everyone is talking about when it comes to Genesis...

For absent friends is a mellow track-the first song sung by Collins,and already here you can hear the difference between him and Gabriel...

The return of the Giant Hogweed - Hackett is showing us his tapping technique which he also uses in the musical box,as well as in the later albums...Great song.

Seven stones takes me back to their first two albums in sound...It has its moments but it's the most flawed number from this album (if you can even say it that way)...it has two organ sounds-the mellow whistly sound on the second verse,and full drawbars on the chorus,then the mellotron kicks in...ou yeaa...nice culmination and a calm closure...

Harold the barrel - Very energic number...What I like the most is the smart use of the piano on this one...It has a steady rhythm through the whole track (with the exception of that B section at 1:13...) I like! Again,the music nicely depics the lyrics-constant confusion,panic and dialogues...

Harlequin - again,a pastoral mood...this one has a calming effect after the disturbing Harold the barrel... It's a very relaxing number,which also takes me back to their previous releases.AND it serves nicely as a bridge to the closing epic of this masterpiece album...

Fountain of salmacis - Maybe the most dramatic song made by Genesis...It's so alive...every single note is at it's place...the whole band works beautiful,every member of the band is showing what they've got... The lyrics are mesmerizing.the object of the fountain is described in a genius way-with the strings of the mellotron... Collins is at his best on this track....his drumwork is odd and it's suits the ethereal atmosphere of this track...all in all,a breathtaking epic with many, many chord changes and smart use of instruments.

As I clearly said at the beginning - This is where the magic/theater truly begins...