NURSERY CRYME

I will give myself a 1.5 on this one going in. I am pretty familiar with 4 or 5 of the 7 tracks on here, but not the whole thing. This is the first of the 4 albums with the classic line up of Gabriel, Banks, Rutherford, Collins and Hackett. (Collins and Hackett were the new kids on the block, although Collins had played several live shows prior to the recording of this album.) The one I know best from this album is The Musical Box, and it's phenomenal. I believe that the blueprint for the next few albums was set by The Knife from the preceding album, Trespass. Without further ado, let's take a deep dive.

Track 1 - The Musical Box

We begin with Harpsichord-like sounds and Gabriel quickly joining on vocals. At around 1:30 the sound changes and becomes darker. Gabriel's underrated skills on flute and other wind instruments are on display in the instrumental interlude that is happening up until around the 3-minute mark when the band starts to build. However, we drop down dynamically for a moment. Then heavier guitar sounds start to build up with rhythm section accents and organ flourishes. This brings us to the first Steve Hackett solo we hear on a Genesis album, and he does not disappoint! Let it be said that Steve Hackett is doing right hand tapping on this track in 1971, a full 7 years before the first Van Halen album. Things drop back down at 4:50. This quiet section finds Gabriel referencing various Nursery Rhymes. Then we kick back into gear with Collins' high energy drumming and solos from both Hackett & Banks. The interplay between the two is brilliant. Rutherford is amazing on the bass as well. There is another quiet section following the instrumental break. Banks' organ begins to build, and we begin a glorious crescendo. The harmonized guitar parts that close the song are brilliant as the song ends like a great symphony by Beethoven might. This is one of their greatest tracks. The new line-up firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in 10 and a half glorious minutes.

Track 2 - For Absent Friends

And Phil Collins gets his first lead vocal on his first album with the band. Albeit in a very short song of under two minutes. Clean electric guitars accompany Phil on this outing. Phil shows himself to be quite the vocalist.

Track 3 - The Return of the Giant Hogweed

A 6-8 triplet pattern played in harmony by Banks & Hackett kick this one off. It sounds like Banks is playing a synth of some kind, but no synths are credited on the album. Collins joins in on drums, then Gabriel comes in on vocals along with bass from Rutherford. I like the rhythm changes on the verses. Rutherford has a nice interplay with Hackett, while he (Rutherford) is playing fuzz bass. Banks has a wonderful piano break to lead a fantastic instrumental segment. Hackett takes a brilliant guitar solo as well. Phil's drumming style is so distinctive, that you can't mistake it for anyone else. The section that begins around the 7-minute mark is absolutely fantastic. Great track!

Track 4 - Seven Stones

I don't believe that I am familiar with this one, but I see some reviews on progarchives.com saying that it is highly underrated. Let's see. After a brief keyboard and vocal intro, the band kicks into a moderately slow groove with a mellow vibe. I like the Beatle-esque vocal harmonies at around 1:20. Collins' drumming is wonderful throughout. Gabriel has a flute solo at about 2:20. Gabriel sings a beautiful melody here. Fantastic mellotron at around 3:15. This one reminds me a bit of the Moody Blues, but with a few heavier flourishes. This track may not be as acrobatic as some of the others, but it has a subtle beauty that is well executed. Wonderful track.

Track 5 - Harold the Barrel

The vocals begin straight-away with the band. This one feels very Beatles influenced. A nice up-tempo song with some silliness involved. I like Collins' backing vocals here. I like the power chord that Hackett throws in at 2:25. After the words "Take a running jump," the song fades out on some slow piano chords.

Track 6 - Harlequin

Another one I don't think I have heard until now. This one is also around 3 minutes long as was the previous track. Again, there is no intro section as Gabriel and Collins sing in harmony with clean electric guitars accompanying. Banks makes it into the mix with electric piano. I believe both Hackett & Rutherford are playing guitars here, and there is nice interplay between them. I do not hear any bass on this one.

Track 7 - The Fountain of Salamacis

Another of the "major" pieces on the album. We start with swells of mellotron and other sounds. Gabriel joins in with vocals and the band creates a great backing track for him to sing over. There is a nice stereo effect between the lead and backing vocals at 1:15. This happens after the next verse as well. At around 1:55 things drop out briefly and then there are more "swells" of chords. At around 3:20 the rhythm changes and Hackett is featured with a tapping solo again. There are dynamic instrumental passages interspersed between the vocal parts. Then we have a quick tempo instrumental section featuring Banks. Then once again the volume drops and there is a quieter section. Excellent drum fills from Collins as we have a "half-time" feeling section that leads to a brilliant Hackett solo. This concludes the song and thus, the album.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Genesis has fully arrived on this album. Collins and Hackett really pushed the band to where they needed to go. As I said, "The Musical Box" is one of Genesis' finest songs in my book. I still feel like their best is yet to come however. 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

Clicking 4. But really a 4.5!