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Genesis

Foxtrot

Review by Gary Hill

Foxtrot might not get the attention that is afforded to Genesis works like The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, but it is really an incredible piece of work that should be in the collection of any Genesis fan or progressive rock fan in general. It contains several Genesis classics in the form of “Watcher of the Skies” and “Get ‘Em Out by Friday.” The epic “Supper’s Ready” should be required listening before someone is called a progressive rock fan. Even the songs that aren’t as essential are strong. It’s just a well rounded album that’s one of the best the group ever produced.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010  Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Watcher of the Skies

Keyboards serves as an almost symphonic prelude to this piece, building gradually upwards in dramatic fashion. Eventually the rest of the band join and they launch out into a punchy sort of prog arrangement. The vocals come over the top and we’re off in style. They drop it back for some of the singing, but the rhythm section still drives it. They take us through several changes in a powerful journey.

Time Table
This cut might be less dramatic and epic as the opener, but it’s got a great bouncy folk meets old world music. It powers up for a killer chorus, too.
Get 'Em out by Friday
A song about greed and a whole lot more, this is theatrical and powerful. It’s a classic Genesis song and a wonderful piece of music overall. I believe that both Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins provide voices of various characters within the song, but the credits on the copy I have doesn’t confirm that fact.
Can-Utility and the Coastliners
An intricate and moving progressive rock number, there are a number of changes and alterations in this. It’s very typical of the Genesis sound of the era, but compared to some of the other material on show it just seems a little lackluster.
Horizon's
This delicate and beautiful guitar solo serves essentially as the introduction to the album’s epic.
Supper's Ready
“Supper’s Ready” is the epic of the album in terms of length, scope and just about any other aspect you can imagine. It is a powerful piece that works through like a whole story – in terms of lyrics and music. There are many moods and this is really one of the quintessential progressive rock epics by any band. It makes the album worth having all by itself (and yet there are other songs that make this worth purchasing).
 
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