genesis

You MUST listen to Genesis circa '71-'77 to hear how phenomenal Collins was. And his side band Brand X, which is an instrumental(well, 2-3 songs has vocals in their entire discography) jazz-fusion band.
 
i prefer the phil collins lead vocal stuff but both eras are great

What an open ended answer... :Smug:

I believe that the Peter Gabriel era is the most respected by tr0000 Genesis fans. It's more Proggy than the Phil Collins poppier stuff, but I honestly wouldn't be able to give you a decent starting point. Sorry.
 
I picked up Trespass on vinyl today for $5 as I had not heard any of the Peter Gabriel stuff. It's got some decent songs on it.

I personally love Trespass. It definitely grows on you. But if you are interested in it, the albums only get better from there on. Selling England By the Pound is awesome.
 
^Yep! @ ShredHead...the first 2 with Phil singing, like I stated before, are just as proggy as the previous 6 albums. Phil didn't start writing lyrics until 1980's Duke album. Trick of the Tail reminds me a lot of Selling England by the Pound musically, and to a degree, lyrically.
 
It just doesn't get any more epic than that first line of Selling England By the Pound, when Gabriel comes in acapella:

"Can you tell me where my country lies...?"

From then on that album presents itself as an absolute fucking powerhouse of a prog album. It's a masterpiece.

I need to go back and listen to Trick of the Tail again. I own it, but it's been a long while since I've given it a spin. I'm really biased because I just don't like the 80s Collins Genesis. But after that post, Ramses, I'll give it a try.

"'Paper late!' cried a voice in the crowd.
Old man dies...
The note he left was signed 'Old Father Thames.'
It seemed he's drowned...
Selling England by the pound."

Oh gods, it gives me chills.
 
It just doesn't get any more epic than that first line of Selling England By the Pound, when Gabriel comes in acapella:

"Can you tell me where my country lies...?"

From then on that album presents itself as an absolute fucking powerhouse of a prog album. It's a masterpiece.

I need to go back and listen to Trick of the Tail again. I own it, but it's been a long while since I've given it a spin. I'm really biased because I just don't like the 80s Collins Genesis. But after that post, Ramses, I'll give it a try.

"'Paper late!' cried a voice in the crowd.
Old man dies...
The note he left was signed 'Old Father Thames.'
It seemed he's drowned...
Selling England by the pound."

Oh gods, it gives me chills.

Yeah, SEBTP is my favorite Gabriel era album. On TOTT, songs such as Robbery Assault and Battery, Los Endos, and Dance On A Volcano have such good instrumental jams in the middle of the songs that remind me of Cinema Show, Dancing With the Moonlit Knight, and The Battle of Epping Forest.
Steve Hackett has such a good atmosperic sound on Dancing With the Moonlit Knight. The solo on Firth of Fifth is one of the best emotional guitar solos ever. Hackett stated on the Genesis: a History documentary, when he joined the band (Gabriel said the same thing when why they chose Hackett) that he is/was more about atmospheres than guitar flash, or heroics. Gabriel's lyrics are almost always double sided...part humour/satire, and part political/human phsyche. The one good thing about him leaving Genesis, is that Banks took over the majority of sonwriting. He has a very poetic style, with a touch of romanticism without getting cheesy and low-brow like Phil did from 1980 on. And at times Tony Banks would get political, obviously Gabriel's influence there. After all, they were best friends since they were 15. have you ever seen the documentary Genesis: A History, that came out around 91-92? Very informative. I really can't wait until the next 5 remasters come out, with the bonus DVD. The '70-'75 remasters are bound to have some live material with Gabriel at his theatrical best!
 
Selling England by the Pound... ey ? I'll have to put it on my mental list. I must admit I never got the Genesis thing "back in the day" rocker that I am. I might enjoy it today.
 
If you like King Crimson, early Yes, Gentle Giant, you will find SEBTP just excellent.