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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The First Genesis Masterpiece, July 18, 2002
Genesis debuted in 1969 with "From Genesis To Revelation," and although it's a good album overall, it's tarnished somewhat by producer Jonathan King, who smothered most of the band's songs with horns & string arrangements, making them sound more like an orchestral outfit than a rock band. But with new producer John Anthony onboard, Genesis totally shifted into high gear with their second album, 1970's "Trespass," and delivered their first real masterpiece---they truly became a band with this one. "Trespass" has been somewhat overlooked by record buyers over the years, as it doesn't feature Phil Collins on drums or Steve Hackett on lead guitar, but fear not: guitarist Anthony Phillips, in his second & final album with the band, is an amazing player himself (and for further proof of this, check out his wonderful catalog of solo albums), and John Mayhew, in his only album with the group, is no Phil Collins, but his drumming here is certainly good (if it wasn't, I don't think the band would've hired him in the first place), and he gets the job done. The classic Genesis line-up with Collins & Hackett were still one album away, but the "Trespass" line-up of the band still deliver the goods in tremendous fashion. "Looking For Someone" is the incredible opener, starting with Peter Gabriel's unique voice breaking through the silence, with the rest of the band later joining in to create a rock piece filled with wonderful drama & atmosphere. "White Mountain" is appropriately titled, starting with Tony Banks' lone mellotron giving one the feeling of being in the snow-covered mountains somewhere. Then the beautiful acoustic guitars of Phillips & Mike Rutherford kick in, Gabriel starts to sing, and the band take us off on another great musical adventure. "Visions Of Angels" has a more ballady feel to it, but it's still a very strong, majestic tune. "Stagnation" is a Genesis classic, a shimmering beauty played with great virtuosity, featuring a very exuberant instrumental bridge, and passionate vocals by Gabriel. "Dusk," the quietest tune on the album, is a very lovely number, featuring a first-rate flute solo from Gabriel in the bridge. And finally, Genesis throw down the gauntlet with the ferocious "The Knife," a monster 9-minute piece about the heat of battle, with the band working like a five-headed behemoth to bring this powerful track to life. It's a fabulous, memorable rocker, the first Genesis signature tune.The classic album cover, featuring a renaissance painting with a big knife slashing across the painting, is a perfect reflection of both the album's beauty and power. "Trespass" was Genesis' first true musical statement, and a firm sign of things to come from this incredible band. :-)
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
most underrated in the entire Genesis catalogue, September 5, 2005
Whether pre or post Gabriel, pre or post Hackett, this is remarkably overlooked as one of the real touchstones of the classic era of progressive art rock. Guitarist Anthony Phillips, acknowledged by the other original members as the band leader, left after this recording due to serious bouts with depression and stage fright.
Rock criticism has always had contempt for anything that was not completely proletariat. 3 chords and a gob of spit could get you a Village Voice rave. Thus, anything high concept or classically influenced was lambasted as pretentious, pompous, or bombastic. Sadly, they just don't make bands (or albums) like this anymore. Don't miss it.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sign of things to come, December 3, 1999
Trespass is certainly an overlooked album in the history of Genesis. Recorded in 1970, and just after recording it, founding guitarist Anthony Phillips left the band and drummer John Mayhew were replaced with Steve Hackett and Phil Collins respectively. The production is pretty good considering the technology of it's day and being the band first real studio album.Trespass is a album that is leaps and bounds better than their first album From Genesis To Revelation. On Trespass they have set a superb foundation for what would follow in the next several years. The standout songs are Visions Of Angels, Stagnation, Dusk, and The Knife. Classic elements such as Tony Banks sweeping mellotrons and organ, Mike Rutherford's 12 string guitar and Peter Gabriel uniquely inflected singing and accompanying flute would establish the signature sounds for the future of Genesis' music. There are two versions of this album availible, a remastered edition that is part of Virgin's Records catalogue and a first CD editon on MCA Records in the US and not part of Atlantic's remastered catalogue. Get the new Virgin release.
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