FOXTROT

Well... How do you start with an album like this? Undeniably an essential in any progressive rock collection. I'm sure most people won't need this review to make up their mind. If you like progressive rock, chances are you'll already own "Foxtrot" by Genesis.

But there is something about this album that makes me just have to write it off. Perhaps it is the crisp sound quality, still today sounding rather fresh.. Or maybe it's Gabriel's strangely moving lyrics, that are always up for interpretation... Or maybe, you'll have to listen to find out.

Because from the opening mellotron note of "Watcher of the Skies", you know something big lies ahead. Surely enough, old Phil Collins delivers a surprisingly groovy 6/4 beat, and after two minutes or so the song takes off like a bat out of hell. A very good and moving song, with a steady bass guitar doubling on the unusual drum rhythm to give it an unusually powerful drive. Gabriel is sharp as always, you either love that mans voice or hate it.

"Time Table" is a more mellow affair, piano-based at that, with great lyrics. The band play on their keen sense of dynamics, not only within songs, but also with how the order of songs is played out. First Watcher, and now this gentle song. And surely enough, after this comes the amazing "Get 'Em Out by Friday" which again is a perfect Genesis song. Loud, sneezy vocals overlap the astonishing musicianship. Lots of varied sections, and rather amusing lyrics.

"Can-utility and The Coastliners" starts out acoustically, and very mellow similarly to Time Table. But halfway in or so, it takes a turn for the familiar Genesis. Organ seeping all over the place, groovy and steady drums and very tasteful guitar licks. "Horizons" is a short, beautiful acoustic guitar song, figuring as a sort of prelude to the grand epic of the album...

"Supper's Ready", at 23 minutes in impressive lenght, could possibly be the finest composition by Genesis. I mean, I could try to detail every part and explain why it's so good, but it's been done by at least a hundred reviewers before me, and Jesus Christ! Go out and buy this amazing album already!

Thank you for reading! /Axel Dyberg

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