Foxtrot by Genesis

Foxtrot by Genesis from 1972

Much has been said, and hundreds, thousands more words could be spent on this album, but there's no need. We're talking about an absolute, undisputed masterpiece, an essential album that, along with Selling England by the Pound, is at the pinnacle of Genesis's discography, and is at the pinnacle of progressive rock in general, along with a handful of other albums you can count on the fingers of one hand.

Track by track? Perhaps a book, not a blog post, would be needed, but they've already been written, both about the album and especially about Supper's Ready, a suite composed by all the band members, divided into seven acts, a favorite among Genesis fans, and of which Banks said the final parts are... "probably our peak."

A common misconception is that Supper's Ready takes up an entire side of Foxtrot; in reality, the guitar piece that opens the side is a separate track, "Horizons." Supper's Ready actually takes up an entire side of the live album Seconds Out. "Watcher of the Skies" and "Supper's Ready" are perhaps the most distinctive Genesis songs of that era, and they remain among their favorites and undisputed masterpieces even after the release of their next masterpiece.

With this album, Genesis established itself in every market, including the American one, and the character of the woman with the fox's head is the prelude to Rock Theater but also one of the symbols that make Genesis most recognizable. The series of concerts that followed this album was magnificent.

So all you need to do is listen to it. There are albums that move you with every listen, that never cease to amaze, that are gifted with the gift of beauty. This is one of those albums.

When you listen...

"Walking across the sitting room, I turn the television off
Sitting beside you, I look into your eyes
As the sound of motorcars fades in the nighttime
I swear I saw your face change, it didn't seem quite right
And it's hello babe, with your guardian eyes so blue
Hey my baby, don't you know our love is true"

...the emotions are incredibly always the same, and after dozens and dozens of listens...

I grew up with it, I know every second of it. But I often listen to it again on days when I want to dedicate myself to myself. And I recommend doing the same to anyone who hasn't yet.

Tracklist
1. Watcher of the Skies (7:19)
2. Time Table (4:40)
3. Get 'em Out by Friday (8:35)
4. Can-Utility and the Coastliners (5:43)
5. Horizons (1:38)
6. Supper's Ready (10.58pm) :
- a. Lover's Leap
- b. The Guaranteed Eternal Sanctuary Man
- c. Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men
- d. How Dare I Be So Beautiful?
- And. Willow Farm
- f. Apocalypse in 9/8 (featuring the delicious talents of Gabble Ratchet)
- g. As Sure as Eggs Is Eggs (Aching Men's Feet)
Running Time: 50:53

Line-Up
- Peter Gabriel - lead vocals, flute, oboe, tambourine, bass drum
- Steve Hackett - guitars (electric, 6-string, and 12-string acoustic)
- Tony Banks - organ, Mellotron MKII, piano and electric piano, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford - bass, pedalboard, 12-string guitar, cello, backing vocals
- Phil Collins - drums, percussion, backing vocals