TRESPASS

I've found out the joy of reviewing old albums from legendary bands like Genesis because it connects me with many people (some are new) who agree or disagree with my views. I think this is the true joy of reviewing prog music as it serves as a starting point to have a meaningful prog discussion over the net and occasionally we met face to face exchanging ideas about prog music. With the use of internet it makes all possible even meeting new friend from other part of the world like what I just experienced last week where a prog fan from France visiting my country and we had a great time exchanging prog passions. And I'm sure that Genesis Trespass review would trigger another tipping point for me as some people underrate this album - the reasons being no Hackett and/or no Phil Collins. In fact this album is truly excellent and it set a strong foundation for later Genesis music as we knew it through legendary albums like Foxtrot, Selling England, The Lamb, A Trick of The Tail.

I knew the album quite late after I heard The Knife performed live in Genesis Live (1973). I liked the energy projected by the band through that live record. I then looked for the album where The Knife was originally recorded. When I listened to the album at first time (cassette format) it really blew my mind as the opening track Looking For Someone starts off with Gabriel powerful voice :"Looking for someone" in a very accentuated style. Really greeeaaaattttt .!! The background organ followed with powerful drum work by John Mayhew (where was he after this album?). The music then flows with an excellent combination of silent / mellow passages and those with full- blown music in faster tempo. Anthony Philips guitar is stunning and it has characterized future guitar tunings for Genesis music. The grand piano by Tony Banks also excellent.

White Mountain is an acoustic guitar based music augmented with mellotron / keyboard work. The singing melody is stunning; performed with Gabriel's energetic voice. When the music moves into faster tempo, the accompanying rhythm section is really killing and it has become a memorable segment that will not vanish with the passage of time. The transition pieces with acoustic guitar and keyboard work is also touchy. Even now when I'm listening this track while writing this review I have a very deep feeling inside my heart that (sorry) I can only say it in my Javanese language "merinding". (Well, I think it's an emotional feeling where you feel really "touched" deep in your heart when you enjoy and feel engrossed with a certain segment of harmony / melody of a music you are listening to). It's a great track.

Visions of Angels combines the original music of Genesis from their debut From Genesis to Revelation to the new style of their music (Trespass onwards and stops until Duke, I think. Because after Duke the band turned poppy). The combination of acoustic guitar fills and keyboard work is really nice.

Stagnation starts with nice guitar fills and low register voice of Gabriel. The music moves into crescendo with an accentuation from acoustic guitar and keyboard. After relatively long mellow style opening. Keyboard solos performed in this track are really stunning. As the music turns into faster tempo, the organ takes beautiful melody which brings the music into more complex arrangements. There are some sudden break followed immediately with Gabriel singing. It's nice.

Dusk is a nice drum-less music with great melody combining acoustic guitar fills and organ / mellotron. The Knife has been Genesis legendary track with high driving rhythm section performed in fast tempo with high energy. The organ dominates the rhythm section, augmented with dynamic drum work. The overall track is truly uplifting. The style of this track has inspired later albums of Genesis especially Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. It's a rocking track, combined with silent passages that feature Gabriel flute work!

Overall, it's an excellent album that any prog fan should not miss it. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW

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