GENESIS “TREPASS” TREMENDOUS 2ND LP

GENESIS “TRESPASS” (U.S.ABC) 1974 ABC Records ‎ABCX-816 Gatefold VG++ DISC VG++
I’ve known more than a few people who thought Phil Collins was Genesis. The Head Honcho. The Big Cheese. The Grand Poobah. Those same people would likely be surprised to find out that Phil was not only not the band’s first drummer nor their second drummer nor their third drummer, but that he didn’t even come along until the band’s third album. Trespass, the band’s second, was released in 1970, and featured John Mayhew on drums. Not to be confused, of course, with John Silver, who had played on their first album. Anthony Phillips was still in the fold, as well as Peter Gabriel, of course, and on this album, along with start-to-finish members Anthony Banks and Mike Rutherford, they finally started to realize the Genesis sound. The first release, From Genesis To Revelation / In The Beginning / The Silent Sun / Pillsbury Biscuits Are Go! / whatever reissue title you prefer, was stylized to appeal to management and record labels, and therefore didn’t have the quintessential Genesis feel to it. Trespass, the first Genesis album proper, did. Unlike the band’s later pop-oriented music, their earlier material was very progressive, experimental, and innovative. Long, elaborate tunes that evolve from start to finish, growing upon themselves and creating art in the process. This album was no exception, though being their first true album, it lacked the musical growth and evolution the band had experienced on later releases such as Nursery Cryme and Selling England by the Pound. Even so, it’s certain vintage Genesis. The highlight of the bunch is “Stagnation”, a 11-minute long piece that goes through its paces and slowly builds up to a very catchy ending. Definitely one of their best. The other tracks are solid as well, though as a whole, the album doesn’t quite meet the level of their next few albums.
Track listing
A1
Looking for Someone7:00
A2
White Mountain7:00
A3
Visions of Angels7:00
B1
Stagnation8:45
B2
Dusk4:15
B3
The Knife8:55
Total length: 42:55