This is the last album to feature Peter Gabriel, and the one most fans think is their finest hour. I’ve always liked Nursery Cryme more, as it was the first Genesis album I heard. As in true prog tradition, this is a concept album with songs in multiple parts going on for days. Just a little humour there. It’s a fact that all the imagery and theatrical elements left when Gabriel did, and over time they bore no resemblance to the band that recorded this album.
Chart positions were at the bottom of the list of priorities here, but I do remember The Carpet Crawlers being a released as a single, although I’m not sure how well it did. Very hard to pick a favourite out of what is basically a whole piece of music, but the opening title track is the obvious choice. You have to listen to this as a whole thing to appreciate it, and it’s a piece of work for sure. I’m not sure Genesis will ever record again and definitely nothing like this.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
