A Confession (and a Genesis Classic)

My very favourite music, as you might have guessed, is prog. And as we all know, prog's flagship groups are the almighty King Crimson, Yes and Genesis. Now, since I officially declared my undying love for said music around the age of 14, I'm very embarrassed to admit that I've just heard Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway in its entirety, for maybe the third or fourth time in my life, and that this is the first time I actually "get it". I know, I know, I'm a disgusting poseur, and deserve to be buried alive in a coffin made of "popular music" CDs...
In case some other sad posers happen to come across this post, they can get The Lamb in two parts here.

What can I say about this particular album that hasn't already be said? Probably nothing, but I feel obliged to share a few of my thoughts on it: for one thing, the songs on this one are odd in the typical Genesis way, but certainly odder than most of their other work. Perhaps this is why it took me so long to actually listen to it and even longer to get into. (At least for now) I find the first half of the album better, although the second part does contain its own share of timeless songs (Lilywhite Lilith, Anyway, The Lamia) along with a few freaky psychedelic interludes, it also has more of the "odder" pieces, which kept me away from it for a long time. I like the fact that The Lamb is a classic Genesis album, although it has nothing of their typical pastoral sound found on other records, which I assume is due to the almost total absence of acoustic/classical guitars. I also really dig the weird keyboard/synth sounds that Tony Banks used on it: they come off as futuristic (for 1974, that is) and vintage-y at the same time. These two factors are actually quite important for the band, and because of them this record manages to stand out among their works. It may not be their absolute masterpiece, but it is most certainly one of their most unique albums. And no songs represent this uniqueness as much as The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging, and Back In N.Y.C., a couple of pieces that are swiftly becoming my favourite songs from this album, even though I found them both "too odd to like" at first. A few other gems would have to be Fly On a Windshield/Broadway Melody of 1974, Hairless Heart, Lilywhite Lilith and the title-track. But really, this is a concept album, so I shouldn't even be recommending single songs! Oh god, I really am a poser...

I just heard "Invisible Touch"... I LOVE Genesis!