TRESPASS

I don't know what it is about Trespass because, by my normal musical standards, it would only pass as about a 4 star rating. I feel something very special in listening to this that makes me just want to play it all day long. Also, I know that a lot of people will disagree with me saying this album is a "masterpiece", and that it's more of Genesis "finding their own voice", so I'd just like to clear up this is entirely my opinion on the music.

Right from the start of track 1, Peter sings "Looking For Someone" and instantly makes me feel the lovelorn pain that he brings across. The whole song experiences some excellent chord progressions when analysed. The whole band - Gabriel's voice (and flute), Rutherford and Philips' contrast on electric and various acoustic guitars, Banks' organ and piano, and Mayhew's unique drumming - they all work very well on this album. Real moments of "Light & Shade" are heard on the song. An excellent opening track.

The following track "White Mountain" brings more of the folky flavour, telling a story of 2 wolves Fang seeking revenge on pack leader One-Eye. The intro plays a brilliant harpsichord part as Peter tells the story, bringing in vivid imagery of the White Mountain story. The sort of ethnic music heard on this album is really brought in on this track, with the acoustic guitars and flutes as the climaxes fade in the distance. The song ends with some of the greatest whistling I have ever heard on any prog rock album (but probably the only).

The next track "Visions Of Angels" is introduced by some beautiful piano with more amazing imagery straight for the first few lyrics. It really sets the scene and makes you feel a kind of empathy for the character. This strong atmosphere carries on throughout the song as the chorus is repeated at the end before a very symphonic ending with mellotron, drums and echoing vocals. It really is heavenly...

Flipping the record over, you are drawn in by the mellow nature of "Stagnation" with more intricate music and lyrics. Again, beautiful vocals, guitars, piano, and drums, and more great areas of light and shade. A little while through the song, a little mellotron solo takes place. Even though it only plays a few notes, it has such a full tone that fills up the piece, with more excellent guitars and then hi-hat backing, building us up to the climax. My favourite part of the song - as a piano joins and a mellotron/keyboard gives a powerful, very symphonic solo before breaking down to Peter's oh-so-quiet singing. The music builds up again to Peter's unique part, as he yearns for a drink. The piece then fades out with gentle flute and vocals to set you up for track 5:

"Dusk". At only 4:10, this is essentially like the single of the album. Luxurious guitars bring the piece in where "Stagnation" left off. Another brilliant track that sounds a little like a combination of the previous tracks. Peter's melody fits like a picture in the frame of the guitar backing as the final touches are added by the backing vocals on the 2nd part of the verse. These lyrics are perfectly philosophical yet beautiful - interrupted by a brilliantly simple flute solo - giving you a great image of "Dusk" in your head, more so than the lyrics in some ways. The only really drawback from this folky song is how quickly it ends.

They really saved the best until last with "The Knife" - a nod to Keith Emerson and The Nice. The song brings such power through from Banks' organ, Mayhew's galloping drums, and Gabriel's distorted misty vocals. However, I thought that the guitar tone could have been a little improved (with a bit more bite), but still a great tune underneath. The song creates another wonderful symphonic atmosphere as it retreats to another gentle flute solo (with similar drum fills to that as from "In The Court Of The Crimson King" - definitely a good thing!). Then Gabriel's building up to earning freedom interrupted by a screaming girl and then a screaming guitar solo - the guitar tone makes more sense here. The solid power returns here with more galloping drums before another great settle down attacked by solid guitars and drums, just as powerful as any heavy metal song. The song then ends with the victorious dance before returning to the chorus and ending on a deliciously clashy chord.

A*: The greatest album of all time!! :P

Looking For Someone - ****** White Mountain - ***** Visions Of Angels - ***** Stagnation - ****** Dusk - ***** The Knife - *****

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