Nursery Cryme by Genesis

Nursery Cryme

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Nursery Cryme

Reader Reviews
Original lead guitarist Anthony Phillips had left Genesis after the "Trespass" album, and the band also wanted to upgrade their drummer situation. They settled on Flaming Youth drummer and former child actor Phil Collins and neophyte guitarist Steve Hackett. The album that resulted, 1971's "Nursery Cryme", had a harder sound than "Trespass", with fewer overdubs and solid production by John Anthony. The downside is that "Nursery Cryme" has the weakest set of songs of any Genesis album from the '70s. Keyboardist Tony Banks hit the nail on the head, saying in Armando Gallo's "I Know What I Like" book that "we seemed to be a bit lacking in material. I think that 'Musical Box' and 'Salmacis' are the two songs that sort of carry that album." "The Musical Box" is the standout track, a 10-minute piece that alternates loud and quiet passages, climaxing with Banks' best guitar-playing moment, as he trades leads with Hackett, and also slips in a quick electric piano solo. The album closes strong with "The Fountain of Salmacis", which tells the Greek mythological tale of Hermaphroditus, who was turned into the first...well, you know. In between are a couple more long songs and three short pieces that are all pleasant, but are a tier below Genesis' usual level. "The Return of the Giant Hogwood" is a sci-fi epic reminiscent of "The Day of the Triffids", with evil plants out to take over the Earth. "Seven Stones" is the weakest track, and a truly strange choice for the single. The short songs include the silly, upbeat "Harold the Barrel" and ballads "Harlequin" and "For Absent Friends". The latter was Collins' first lead vocal for Genesis. This is a 3-1/2 star album. (1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

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