The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

The story is pretty crappy, but it's the only decent Genesis album, IMO. 

The story is complicated, but if you sit down with the lyrics and the liner
notes and listen for an hour and a half, you'll understand it.

As to what it means, I've only a few partial guesses. I like what one guy
said about it being part of the timeless appeal of the lamb is that it's so
ambiguous as to it's meaning. The band members have given so little in
the way of direction towards understanding.

Greatest album of all time. My favorite anyway.

newWorld wrote: I'm sure this topic has come up before.  Or maybe I'm wrong and it belongs on a literary arts forum.   Anyhow, I've been listening to The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis lately.  I want to know what this album is about; it seems very thick with symbolism.  I've looked over the internet and have not been able to find in depth coverage of this album.  Does anybody have any idea what this album is really about?  I get lost after "Grand Parade."  Any input would be much appreciated.

 

The Lamb is a tough cookie to crack.  Unlike the Beatles who could pull off something abstract like Yellow Submarine and get away with it 'cause they're The Beatles, Genesis did not have that clout so we don't have a film.

Genesis had a problem with trying to popularize their abstract, very artsy, music and I would say that the Lamb is an attempt towards that end although the second side is very surreal.  The lyrics and idea are still very abstract but Gabriel uses a lot of rhyme schemes and familiar everyday (very real) images. The problem is that there is no narrative to follow and without a film to give us that narrative, we are left on our own.

The Lamb is an epic, an adventure story taken by Rael. Usually a writer will give a a clue to the meaning of a work in the names of people in the work.  Rael might look like another word, for example.  The Slipperman is another.  Don't let the language fool you just enjoy it.  If it sounds funny it is supposed to be funny.  "Dock the dick" is just what you may think. 

I would say that the underlying idea that you should think of is in the most popular chorus "we've got to get in to get out." There's a reason why that is the most unforgettble chorus.  If it sounds important it is important. Seeing the movie Quadraphenia may also help because I hear a lot of  the soundtrack and the story as well in The Lamb.

Genesis had toured supporting Lou Reed in 1973. NY was bankrupt and all the images that conjure your mind when you think of NY are in the lyrics. Prog from 1968-1973 is pretty comfortable with its romantic, escapist notions.  After 1973 it becomes less comfortable with that aspect of the music.  Its listeners are growing up after all. If you were 18 in '68 you are now 25 in 1975.

I hope that helps a little.

I think the lamb is Johnny Rotten. He was a Gabriel's creation anyway.

Edited by ken4musiq

I only really like half the songs alot, but there is some real cool stuff. But I gotta say Gabriels vocals are pretty mediocre on this album

gentletull wrote: I only really like half the songs alot, but there is some real cool stuff. But I gotta say Gabriels vocals are pretty mediocre on this album

Gentletull when do you get out of the asylum you are currently frequenting you have dissed the fabulous Porcupine Tree and now you are deserving the guillotine Gabriel's voice is outrageously brilliant on the Lamb, my fave Genesis album.I fear the magic boomerang has whacked you on the head.Still, you like half of it. I'll make sure your change over nurse is pretty.

Edited by Fragile

 

 **Warning , Warning **

The lunatics have escaped from the asylum , some are yelling "The Lamb is crap ", some are yelling " Gabriels vocals are poor  ! " , " some are even saying Genesis are crap "............after Wind and Withering  they were ! but don't worry these people will be caught and dealt with ...please remain calm!

This is a message from Rael

** Do not adjust your moniters **

 

Edited by ShrinkingViolet

Why you're at it you can tell me what Ulysses by James Joyce is about!  Vagueness is an art, I guess.

Here we go:

http://www.rawbw.com/~marka/music/lamb.html

http://www.genesis-music.com/

http://www.genesis-movement.co.uk/

http://www.repfoto.com/repfoto/genesis/index.htm

http://genesis-path.net/joes_lamb.html

http://www.xtcidearecords.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi? forum=36&topic=860&start=40









...Am I the only one who gave a bit of info here?..

The lamb is one of the top 3 Genesis albums...Id rate it between Foxtrot and Selling England

gentletull wrote: gabriels voice on back in nyc are aweful. His voice sounds like fingernails on a black board during parts of the lamb ;)

but that's the purpose! he is Rael, a 17-year old street kid. you can't expect him to sing "oh what a beautiful morning" in a clear and rich tenor voice. it wouldn't fit! to sing this song differently would create a dichotomy