Genesis - "Trespass" (1970)

Genesis' second album, the last where guitarist Anthony Phillips participated, and the only record with drummer John Mayhew. Anthony Phillips began a relatively successful solo career afterwards, while Mayhew disappeared from the music scene, moved to Australia and worked as a carpenter. Phil Collins then took over the drumming role in the band. But all this happened after this record had been released. During the recording, the band, apart from the two mentioned, consisted of Peter Gabriel, Anthony Banks and Michael Rutherford.

Lots of people believe that this record hints towards the band's direction to be, with longer, relatively complex, theatrical compositions. And that's probably true. Most songs clock in at 7-8 minutes, Peter Gabriel's singing gives the songs an extra emotional level, and it is rarely a verse-verse-chorus structure. I like it. Although the music is defined as progressive music, it's not particularly difficult, there are often beautiful harmonies, quite fragile compositions, and none of the progressive element of sometimes overly strange, complex 7-beat parts, with weird musical instruments most created for the musicians' own sake. Much of Trespass caresses the listener, it's a friendly sound.

Another reason why I like the record is that the music contains a few bombastic parts, which causes your inner roof to come off. And Gabriel is playing flute on many songs. These two ingredients are enough for me to like an LP. Peter Gabriel reminds me a little of Peter Hamill (Van Der Graaf Generator) in his attitude towards the singing, where in addition to the melody and words, one level is added, which would be the theatrical element, I suppose. An emotional level, more present than with most other singers. It's not always that I like that in general in music, it can get a little too much, but Peter Gabriel does it well. He never crosses the line. It makes me sometimes think of the the music of Trespass as a rock opera, or musical if you like. The band made compositions like this later on, i.e the album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, which has a clearer concept. The mellotron that is heard on the album also makes Moody Blues haunt my mind when I hear Trespass. In any case, I think it's a good album.


Tracklist

Side A
1. Looking for Someone 7:06
2. White Mountain 6:45
3. Visions of Angels 6:51

Side B
1. Stagnation 8:45
2. Dusk 4:15
3. The Knife 8:55