TRESPASS

Truly progressive, this was surely something fresh and exciting to those who got to hear it in 1970. This was one of the last Genesis albums I bought growing up in the 80's, but I enjoy it very much. Taking the strong melody writing and deep lyrics of the debut and adding less predictable songs structures, more instruments (that are played by the band, anyways) and longer instrumental sections, they made one of the first examples of what some people consider music that you have to sit down and devote your whole self to in order to fully appreciate. The album is bookended by two heavier pieces, "Looking For Someone", and "The Knife", but in between is pure beauty. The acoustic guitar intertwinings of Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks I liken to one of those intricate designs that can only be found in a nature-only environment, and when Tony Banks' pitch modulating organ solo joins in "Stagnation", sonic hipnosis has occurred. There is enough atmosphere and balance to the arrangements that when the heavier parts come up, they are surprising, next- dimensional, and persuasive. Anthony Phillips' true guitar style is on this album as well, namely in "Looking For Someone" and "The Knife." One thing that is unique to this album is getting to hear the beautiful harmonies of the other band members in the delicate "Dusk."