Genesis - "Back In New York City"
I'm not going to claim that Genesis is a popular band, or that the majority (or a large minority, for that matter) of you will like this song, but can we all please set aside our petty biases and misguided opinions for one moment and admit that this shit is objectively awesome.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a concept double album chronicling a young man's search for self (the plot is a bizarre, semi-religious contrivance, peripherally involving Marshall McLuhan). In this installment, the protagonist gets involved in a gang and explores the seedy underbelly of New York City. He then - and this is to be taken literally - cuddles a porcupine to sleep while lamenting that his hairy heart is getting in the way of his romantic pursuits. You will be relieved to find out that, over the course of the next two songs, his heart is removed, shaved and replaced and, consequently, he is able to (and with panache) lose his virginity.
O.K., so that's ridiculous. But they really mean it, and they sure can play. Peter Gabriel sings with a growl, the vitality of violent youth. Tony Banks (keyboards) and Phil Collins (drums (Phil Collins!)) propel, stop, backtrack, change often and without warning. In high school, my friends and I would drive around listening to this album, embarrassingly playing air-keyboards every time Banks let loose (have I said too much?).
Genesis, while adhering to every laughable prog stereotype (epic songs, wild time signatures, general showing off, magical and otherworldly subject matter (wizards, enchanted forests, special doctors, etc.)), manage to do so while still making actual a unique and integral artistic vision. Feeling skeptical? I myself am dubious. But does my bravado shake your confidence? I need only reach one uninitiated soul. [Buy]
***
Destroyer - "I Want This Cyclops"
This song contains the word 'cyclops' as well as the word 'sasquatch'. "What could be bad?," as my grandmother used to say.
"I Want This Cyclops" is a lazy, distracted walk away from the listener. The vocal and snare drum look back over their shoulders, whispering to us, increasingly insistent, ?imagine it?. Until they finally turn away for good and the eager but narcoleptic horns take over.
I picture a field and heavy flannel, a three sided barn, but I don?t require you to think of the same things. Think what you want.
Does this song make you like me again? [Buy]
Posted by Jordan at September 22, 2004 9:44 PM> I need only reach one uninitiated soul.
You've reached him. I heard Jeff Buckley's cover of this first about two years ago, and wondered then what the original sounded like. Both are excellent. Thanks.
Posted by shanecavanaugh at September 23, 2004 1:05 AMI'm glad someone else shares my secret high school prog shame. Still one of their best tunes, and I liked the Buckley version alot too.
Posted by J. Herzog at September 23, 2004 6:20 AMI've always inhabited a space where so called prog rock and punk rock were never diametrically opposed to one another, despite the best efforts of the rock critic establishment ; 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' deserves a wider audience. It's more in the direction of Brian Eno than Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Posted by steve at September 23, 2004 8:17 AMthank you, it is good to hear the original, after only knowing it through Jeff Buckley.
Posted by Anonymous at September 23, 2004 11:11 AMI really like the Buckley version too. Tomorrow I'm going to post a song by Tim Buckley (Jeff's dad).
Steve - Brian Eno actually plays on "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway".
Did any women like the Genesis?
Posted by Jordan at September 23, 2004 2:26 PMi'm a female, and i like it okay. i _do_ like Genesis, though. i just think i like their poppier stuff that's still proggy and more Collinsy, e.g., "That's All," which you should totally put up.
Posted by Hillary at September 23, 2004 3:16 PMI will admit that "That's All" is a pretty hot track, but I will not admit that Phil Collins Genesis, generally speaking, is anything other than a sickly sweet cheese. His insidious powers as a front man are first evidenced by his one song on Selling England By The Pound, "More Fool Me." I still skip it pointedly every time I listen to the album (twice a day, everyday (?(!))). Eat it, Collins.
Also, I'm not allowed to post Genesis songs anymore. Or any major artists on major labels. So, we're out of luck.
Any other women?
Posted by Jordan at September 23, 2004 4:00 PMit's funny, i was in value village today and i saw a genesis album and found myself wondering if Jordan was gonna post a genesis song in this first introdutory week. then you did. the same day. synchronicity.
Posted by gareth at September 23, 2004 4:34 PMDo you know me, or do you just wonder about a lot of different things?
Posted by Jordan at September 23, 2004 5:20 PMGenesis was my favorite band for many many years, say from 1976 to 1982 and it is nice to see that they are getting a new and younger audience.
Posted by Stefan Jansson at September 23, 2004 6:24 PMWeird Genesis choice. I like the lyrics to Back in NYC but I've always thought the delivery sounded slightly awkward compared to some of the other tracks on the album, the title track, Lilywhite Lilith, or Anyway, for example. Still, nice to see some respect for such a greatly underappreciated band. They saw me through some difficult years in high school.
By the way, I just have to say how much I like the selections I've seen on here so far. John Coltrane, Talking Heads, and Richard Thompson I already love, but much of this is new to me. Keep it up.
Posted by Anonymous at September 23, 2004 9:24 PMi really did not like the destroyer.
Posted by anne at September 23, 2004 10:21 PMi really, REALLY, love the destroyer.
thanks jordan.
Jeff Buckley covered this?? Anyone would care to dropload the MP3 to me? I would be very grateful and send you a nice track or 10! (dropload dot com, my email is m.cand at ic dot ac dot uk)
Posted by Matthew at September 24, 2004 4:34 AMAnonymous Genesis Fan - It was really hard for me to choose a track from the album. I love the whole thing, but I wanted something relatively short and rocky. Interestingly, if I was forced to choose a least favourite track it would probably be "Lilywhite Lilith". But let's not fight. We are brothers in our love for Genesis.
Anne - Destroyer really does not like the songs YOU play, so...
Posted by Jordan at September 24, 2004 1:38 PMjordan - we have met on a few occasions, i'm sure. former glebite. i'm a friend of sean's.
that said tho, i really know very little about you tho, i only wondered about genesis because you said you like prog.
Ah, yes, that Gareth. I figured it might be you.
Actually, could you send me an email?
Posted by Jordan at September 24, 2004 3:33 PMBest Genesis Song ever:
Battle of Epping Forest
Epic, proggy, chock full o' bizzare time signatures, too clever lyrics, and AWESOME
Posted by d-man at September 24, 2004 3:52 PMmmm... 'the chamber of 32 doors' is the highlight of the lamb album for me. unexpected heart in the midst of all that whirlwind.
Posted by Scotto at September 24, 2004 8:31 PMJordan, you are a brave man, to admit to liking Genesis. (I love 'em myself.) And look at all the Genesis fans coming out of the woodwork.
It is time for the world to admit, all else notwithstanding, that once upon a time Phil Collins deserved respect as a shit-hot drummer.
Posted by rodii at September 27, 2004 11:53 PMHi.
Back in NYC is a great song, thanks for posting it. Just a note that Portland band Glass Candy and the Shattered Theatre do a great version of this song. It is on one of their self-released tour cds. You should be able to find it on-line somewhere, as the original hand made cds are long sold out. Great band!
Thanks.
Posted by NM at September 28, 2004 5:44 AM"Lamb" is a complete catastrophe, literally the prog rock's worst-ever exemplar. I used to be a big Genesis fan, so take it from me -- if you want to hear good prog-era Genesis, "Seconds Out" is your baby. If I recall correctly, Side 2 was the really kickass side (it had 4). "Firth of Forth" and all that.
Posted by priceyeah at September 29, 2004 1:45 AMWrong.
Posted by rodii at September 29, 2004 6:40 PMKidding. I just wanted to say that.
I half agree--"Lamb" was where it started to come apart for them. I saw the "Lamb" tour, though, and it was fuckin' awesome. I also saw them the previous time around, and I still think "Selling England by the Pound" is their peak. I even like "More Fool Me," Jordan--when most of the band left the stage and Collins came forward to sing, it was quite a lovely moment.
That night was the first time I ever heard "Tubular Bells," too--Genesis played it before their shows on that tour. I watched the whole audience collectively say "what the fuck is *that*?" It's hard to remember how weird a lot of the prog experience was, back in the day.
*whimper* I am a thousand years old.
Posted by rodii at September 29, 2004 6:45 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
