Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971)

Nursery Cryme is the third studio album by Genesis and was recorded and released in 1971. It is also the first album to feature the lineup of Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, and Steve Hackett, the latter two replacing John Mayhew and Anthony Phillips on drums and guitar, respectively in 1970 following the release of Trespass. This lineup would remain consistent until Gabriel's departure in 1975.

While this album was being written parts of it were written by temporary band member Mick Barnard. In an interview, Tony Banks stated, "Steve was in the band a very short time when we recorded 'Nursery Cryme.' All the guitar parts on "Musical Box" were actually written by Mick; Steve tended to play pretty much what Mick had played 'cause there wasn't much time to learn new parts. Most of the guitar on it is Mike anyhow - all the rhythm guitar, it always was. There wasn't that much lead guitar on it." - The Genesis Autodiscography - By Jon Young Trouser Press magazine, March 1982

"The Musical Box" and "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" — both the major highlights of Nursery Cryme — became staples of their live performances.

Although not a success upon release in their homeland, Nursery Cryme became an unexpected hit in Italy, reaching number 4 in the LP charts - spurring on Genesis' European success - with the album eventually reaching #39 in the UK in 1974. ~ Wikipedia


Nursery Cryme, the third Genesis album, is also the first of the 'classic quintet' line-up, with the entrance of Steve Hackett and Phil Collins. Hackett proved he could sensitively handle the angular acoustic 12-string lines previously provided by the departed Anthony Phillips, but added above this some dazzling electric guitar work the band had never previously known. Collins was clearly the band's best drummer to date, and also lent strong support in the vocal department. The remaining members are also in fine form here (especially Gabriel), as the band presents a rather motley collection: two Genesis classics ("The Musical Box," "The Fountain of Salmacis"), some under appreciated quickies ("Harlequin," "For Absent Friends"), and some enjoyably twisted tracks ("The Return of the Giant Hogweed," "Harold the Barrel"). They would up the ante with these sorts of formulations on subsequent albums. Raise the mallet high, sweet Cynthia... ~ Review by Joe McGlinchey @ Ground and Sky





In 1971, prog doyens Genesis released their third album -- and first true masterpiece -- Nursery Cryme. The band's sound, songwriting, and lineup had matured and solidified at this point, with definitive Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett steps in for the regrettably stage fright-stricken Anthony Phillips, and superlative percussionist and secondary vocalist Phil Collins replacing John Mayhew on drums. With Nursery Cryme, the tremendous promise of the excellent (if a trifle uneven) forerunner Trespass was now made manifest, and appreciative fans were treated to some of the most imaginative and hard-hitting music to yet emerge from the evolving genre of progressive rock.

The album has the perfect balance of raw, almost scary power and contrastingly airy beauty that makes early Genesis so compelling. For my tastes, each of the seven songs here is a fully-realized winner. Longstanding fan favourite "The Musical Box" (which served as the inspiration for the terrific Paul Whitehead cover art), from its ethereal opening, to its explosive ending some ten minutes later, contains all the necessary elements of a quintessential Genesis track: Hackett's guitar is simply spellbinding, Gabriel's voice is by turns delicate and dauntingly powerful, Banks' church-like organ sound is masterful and moving, and Collins' drumming, especially his cymbal work, is particularly adept. Factor in great lyrics, some nice flute from Gabriel, and Rutherford's room-shaking bass and bass pedals, and you have all that one could reasonably desire in a classic Genesis track!

After the thunderous climax of "The Musical Box," the Collins-sung ballad "For Absent Friends" offers a welcome, calming and nostalgic respite, admirably showcasing the new drummer's considerable vocal abilities. Then, the science fiction-themed "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" witnesses a return to grandiose song structure and creepy, storytelling lyrics, as ambulatory, revenge-bent predatory plants strive to exterminate the human race that had foolishly sought to "enslave" them.

The next track, "Seven Stones," is a dignified and burnished gem of a song which, replete with mellotron, deals with deliverance from earthly danger through the supernatural agency of seeming chance. Collins' drums, and Rutherford's bass are notably good here.

"Harold the Barrel" reveals a Genesis that are able to combine black humour and pathos, as Gabriel and company don multiple personas to tell the tragi-comic tale of a browbeaten restaurateur who manages to retain his dignity only through effecting his own demise.

The following song, the lovely and sparkling "Harlequin," has long been a personal favourite. This shorter piece finds Gabriel and Collins harmonizing in very nice fashion atop a simple and pretty tune founded upon twelve string, and tastefully understated bass, keyboards and drums. Beautiful!

Finally, on "The Fountain of Salmacis," the band delve into the fertile inspirational ground of Greek mythology, relating how, through divine intervention, the demi-god Hermaphroditus and a lustful naiad (or water nymph) were "strangely merged -- forever to be joined as one," thus explaining the origins of the dual-sexed biological oddities known to science as hermaphrodites. The lyrics are pure poetry, while the music, with sweeping mellotron and percussive bass, imparts a fittingly epic feel, and brings this terrific recording to a majestic close.

Thus, I give Nursery Cryme the highest possible rating of five well-deserved stars, and exhort all fans of classic progressive rock to experience (or re-experience) one of the stellar works of the art form. Nursery Cryme represents Gabriel-era Genesis at its resplendent best, and is, in my considered opinion, every bit as essential as the more frequently-cited favourites Foxtrot and Selling England By The Pound. Brilliant! ~ Review by Peter Rideout @ Prog Archives


Tracklisting:
1. The Musical Box (10:29)
2. For Absent Friends (1:47)
3. The Return Of The Giant Hogweed (8:12)
4. Seven Stones (5:11)
5. Harold The Barrel (3:01)
6. Harlequin (2:56)
7. The Fountain Of Salmacis (7:54)

Total Time: 39:30

Line-Up:
- Tony Banks / organ, mellotron, piano, electric piano, 12 string guitar, voices
- Phil Collins / drums, voices, percussion, lead vocals(2)
- Peter Gabriel / lead voice, flute, tambourine, bass drum
- Steve Hackett / electric and 12 string guitar
- Mike Rutherford / bass guitar, bass pedals, acoustic and 12 string guitar, backing vocals