Nursery Cryme - GENESIS*****

The Musical Box/For Absent Friends/The Return Of The Giant Hogweed/Seven Stones/Harold The Barrel/ Harlequin/The Fountain Of Salmacis

With the release of Nursery Cryme Genesis consolidated their position as rising stars in the British progressive firmament. It is an album packed with complex and reflective songs of stunning originality.

“The first Genesis album to feature Phil Collins and Steve Hackett opens with The Musical Box, which is a fantastic showcase for both performers' unquestionable musical skills, and then continues in a louder, more confident, and more daring mould than previously.”

“With elements of their pastoral, folksy side still evident, they also stretch out with meaty, aggressive progressive arrangements. But unlike many other acts of the time, Genesis managed a quality that eluded them: taste. Genesis kept to the credo that a band is a democracy, and the composition of a song is the most important thing. All are fantastic musicians, with no one dominant. They all contribute their best compositional efforts to create a prog-rock masterpiece.”

“With their classic early line-up Genesis deliver a vintage prog-rock cornerstone with Nursery Cryme. The album builds on the folky foundation laid by Trespass but ups the ante in terms of dynamics and lyricism, the playing fiery and determined as Peter Gabriel's lyrics turn towards bizarre, disturbing imagery.”

“Nursery Cryme came at perhaps the most interesting time in the band's career. They had just picked up much needed muscle with Hackett and Collins, but were still trying to find their voice as a band. The result is some of the oddest, most original music they have ever composed, played at a new level of competency.”

“Well-written, well-executed and well-produced, Nursery Cryme builds on itself throughout, never lingering in one place too long, even in the lengthy Musical Box. While far from later radio-friendly schlock, it nonetheless includes plenty of catchy bits, which was a trademark for the band at this period - progressive, experimental music saturated with catchiness. Gabriel, always kept things interesting, both in lyrical content and execution, and the band, as always, is ultra-solid.”

“The quiet songs are just beautiful, and complement the heaviness of other tracks. The epic The Musical Box is perhaps the best Genesis song. Musically and lyrically this album provided evidence of what they could achieve.”