FOXTROT

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Foxtrot is where Genesis began to pull all of its varied inspirations into a cohesive sound -- which doesn't necessarily mean that the album is streamlined, for this is a group that always was grandiose even when they were cohesive, or even when they rocked, which they truly do for the first time here. Indeed, the startling thing about the opening "Watcher of the Skies" is that it's the first time that Genesis attacked like a rock band, playing with a visceral power. There's might and majesty here, and it, along with "Get 'Em Out by Friday," is the truest sign that Genesis has grown muscle without abandoning the whimsy. Certainly, they've rarely sounded as fantastical or odd as they do on the epic 22-minute closer "Supper's Ready," a nearly side-long suite that remains one of the group's signature moments. It ebbs, flows, teases, and taunts, see-sawing between coiled instrumental attacks and delicate pastoral fairy tales. If Peter Gabriel remained a rather inscrutable lyricist, his gift for imagery is abundant, as there are passages throughout the album that are hauntingly evocative in their precious prose. But what impresses most about Foxtrot is how that precociousness is delivered with pure musical force. This is the rare art-rock album that excels at both the art and the rock, and it's a pinnacle of the genre (and decade) because of it. 

Released 6 October 1972

Recorded August 1972 at Island Studios/London

Length 51:08

Label: Charisma, Virgin, Atlantic 

Producer David Hitchcock of Gruggy Woof


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By B. Bernardini "jaco111" (San Antonio, Texas United States) 

I have heard Genesis and seen them from the beginning to the great loss

of Peter Gabriel,Steve Hackett ,then finally Phil Collins.This album(CD)

has also been my favorite Genesis album. Again being a bass player,when I first got this album(yes record!) I was blown away with those great intricate parts and especially those bass pedals by Rutherford! But

with this album at that time there was so much going on it was hard to hear separation and true clarity. Now you have to check on this re-mix of this CD. It was re-mixe Nov.2008,with the "new stereo mix". Wow ! makes a great deal of difference. Separation clarity,my ears were elated! Way past ear candy,when you have heard this album as many times as i have then you hear something you have never heard before, a vocal harmony from Phil or a guitar riff from Hackett that was seemed to be pushed into the mix.I listened to this on the way to work one day and heard "Horizons".

I almost had to stop the car,the chords were beautiful,pronounced,clear.You could hear Hackett moving his hands across the fretboard of his guitar. I really miss this era of Genesis,they

were magical times. With this "new stero mix" I plan to buy the other

early ones and hope it sounds this good.Please go on that "journey again"

with this great band now with a fantastic sound.I always especially with this band,discover the old before going to the new. If you just bought the new Europe live Cd ,you are missing out in a lot of good music.I am sorry to say Collins could not "hit the high notes",so in this recording they lowered the tuning of the songs. I was highly disappointed,first they went on tour,instead of back to the studios for new material ,then tour their music. This CD I just bought for my collection. But go back and buy "One for the Vine",

Trick of the Tale","Selling England by the Pound", "The Lamb" etc..

Man.its tough to grow old ,aint it though?