NURSERY CRYME

This album would probably be more fondly regarded if it was not followed by Foxtrot, SEPTP, and LLDOB. Although not perfectly consistent, some of my favorite Genesis segments come from Nursery Cryme. Aside from talent exhibited in Musical Box and Return of the Giant Hogweed, this album first convinced me that filler tracks don't have to be used to simply lengthen albums. Harlequin, and especially For Absent Friends are softly mesmorizing and add considerably to the album. For Absent friends is a great link between the aforementioned full-length showcase pieces.

Also of note are the vocals on Seven Stones which grow on me every time I listen and Harold the Barrel. Who writes songs like Harold the Barrel? That song proved to be an elusive like-it-the-first-time listen on a prog album.