The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

It’s only over recent years that I’ve started paying any attention to prog-rock. Rush came up on my radar and I fell in love, and I have since listened to Yes as well. I’d never really given Genesis a chance as the songs I’d already heard (Invisible Touch and Land Of Confusion) were much more pop than I expected. Songs I already knew: none Favourite after listening: Counting Out Time, Carpet Crawlers First, this was a double album so is longer than most, taking just over 90 minutes to get through all 22 songs. Longer albums have scored poorly from me before as it takes a lot of mental stamina to focus for that long. However, I was able to sit through this in one session and at no point felt bored. I will say that some songs are a little weird, but in a way that fits well with the rest of the album. Overall, I loved it but I know that prog isn’t for everyone, so I can understand people hating it too.

Disclaimer: Huge Genesis fan here. I was listening to this in the car with my teenage son recently, as one does, right? Right?? I was surprised that he's been digging early Genesis so we went through this one. It was interesting to listen to it with him and think about how this album sounds to new ears. Album 1 is amazing and my son absolutely loved it. The opening trio of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Fly on a Windshield, and Broadway Melody of 1974 is just stunningly good. Chills every freakin' time. Back in NYC, In the Cage, and Carpet Crawlers are all great songs. Album 1 is a clear 5. Album 2...well, it has some great moments: Lilywhite Lilith. the keyboard solo in Riding the Scree...plus "It" is a great closer (both to the album and to Peter Gabriel's time with Genesis). But Album 2 also has a lot of weird moments - I was cringing a few times at how it might be coming across to him and I can imagine that a lot of people end up saying "wtf" many times during Album 2 (and maybe even occasionally on Album 1). Plus, I worried that Album 2 was dragging out too much and the story is, um, awkward to say the least (google Peter Gabriel's slipperman costume. On second thought, don't). But, as we neared the end and I told my son that we were on the second to last song, he was actually disappointing that the album was almost over. Poor kid is going to be a prog fan I guess. I want to make it crystal clear I didn't push him to listen! Anyway (as the song goes)...to give it a 4 or 5? Here's where I'm going to have to let my Genesis freak-flag fly: It's a 5 (it's also chicken, eggs, and in between your legs). Every time I hit the end of the album, I want to listen again. If that isn't a 5, I don't know what is.

This is Gabriel Genesis at its peak (in my humble opinion)…he is about to break from them and forge his own path.

This is a prime example of why most double albums are overhyped marketing tools. As Bilbo would say, this album feels like butter scraped over too much bread. It's still great, but there are too many thin spots that drag it down from what should be something better.

"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is the 6th studio album for Genesis. It is a double album and the last one with Peter Gabriel as lead singer. It is also a concept album (boy, is it ever) about a Puerto Rican boy, Rael, from the Bronx who goes on a self-discovery adventure in NYC and faces challenges with family ( I think his brother betrays him like two or three times), authority, sex, love and self-sacrifice. The story is both easy and hard to follow the exact details. Peter Gabriel wrote the story and all the lyrics and said it was loosely based on "West Side Story," several pyscological concepts and the western film "El Topo." The first part is more about Raul discovering the outside of NYC and the second side is more fantasy with caves (lots of caves), mythological beings (Lama, Slippermen), ravens, boats and rivers. I really don't know if Rael ends up dead or alive at the end. Although Genesis wanted to avoid the Prog Rock moniker, this is solid prog rock. Musically, the synthesizers, organs, piano and keyboards of Tony Banks and the drumming of Phil Collins are the highlights. To experience this album, you really need to listen to it whole. It is exhausting though at 1 hour 34 minutes and with the entire storyline. For me, the song highlights are the ones you here on the radio (at least in the US). I always liked the title track for Gabriel's vocals (both lead and backing) and the keyboards and piano. It starts Rael off on his journey after apparently witnessing a lamb lying down on Broadway (not entirely clear). "The Carpet Crawlers" has the best and weirdest story, Rael in a room of people on their knees (the carpet crawlers) going towards a door and a Spiral staircase. Well, in the next few songs, Rael goes up the spiral staircase to a room filled with 32 doors and is eventually rescued by a blind women whom he leads across the floor. Anyway, Banks' keyboards and Collins' drums/drum programming are great in "The Carpet Crawlers." If you're a Genesis, Prog Rock, concept album or maybe even a fantasy fan, this album should be right up your alley.

Weird

Solid progressive rock. Production values are very high level, and I think ahead of their time for 1974. This could have come out in 1984 and I would have had the same sentiment. Cons: Even though I mentioned it being great production, I think that synths in the 70s were still a newish tech for bands and acts around this era tended to overdo it. For me, the synth solo throughout the track "In The Cage" really is quite annoying. Synths most often are devoid of any dynamic qualities. They are 100% volume 100% of the time (unless the volume of the instrument is changing at the mixing stage), unlike a piano or a guitar. These solos are blistering runs that lack any kind of interesting layer in them beyond "speed". Not really my thing. Could be my age speaking since I don't really like any kind of solo that's only interesting quality is "fast" "Back in NYC" is really cool. I love the lead instrument. It's repetitive yet really cool and interesting intervals, and tied to the drums to make a really fun groove. "Hairless Heart" sounds like a Final Fantasy video game track. So cool. "Counting Out Time" is very obviously about erogenous zones. Gotta love that. "Colony of Slippermen" is so weird- it's like goblins talking into your ears.t The in between / instrumental tracks are really well placed. This album is an adventure. It really goes places. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing keeping it a 5 is that it doesn't really have any huge memorable / catchy tracks that the band is capable of. Or maybe it's just that it's my first time hearing these. I'm giving it a 4 but it's a very high 4.

Over the years I spent a lot of time with this album. I have mixed feelings about it: on one hand, it's got songs I consider proper favourites (Carpet Crawlers, to name one off the top of my head). But on the other hand - 1. It's a bit too prog when it comes to prog rock, at least in my book. 2. Sides 3 & 4 offer nuclear winter levels of desolation when it comes to quality tunes, at least in comparison to the wealth on offer by sides 1 & 2. To sum up, there are some excellent tracks here, but the album itself is far too long for its own good.

Admittedly, pretty exhausting. The synth sounds range from "interesting" to "that hasn't aged well *at all*". Also contains one of the least sensual songs on sex I've ever heard. I can hear Rush being inspired by this. I feel like it'd make an interesting stage show, though. Favorite tracks: "In the Cage"

Did no one try to stop them?

There are a lot of great moments here, but they are just that…moments. The songs here seem to lack the cohesion that Genesis captured exceptionally only two albums prior on “Foxtrot”. A lot of songs on “Lamb” don’t seem to have that cohesion; their movements come and go, often quickly, and they don’t really seem to fit together sometimes. As a concept record, it feels clunky and probably could have been paired down to an excellent single album, rather than a feature film-length double lp. The album for me hit its peak in the back half of the first record, starting with “In the Cage” and the following 4 or 5 tracks. By the 11th track, I started losing interest. By track 15, I was ready to lay down on Broadway and let traffic take its course. It’s too much. I mean, people weren’t really wrong about prog, were they? This is definitely a pretentious, overwrought collection of songs with rock music presented in a similar vein to a Broadway musical and at 90 minutes long, it starts to feel like homework after a while.

*sigh* I'm bored at approximately the same place as the last time. I should like this; I've tried to like this, but there's something so earnestly self-serious that is leaving me underwhelmed. It's hermetically sealed for the already fans, and I can't get in. I'm sure it's important, just not to me. I like Hawkwind.

I have no idea what to think about this. After like a quarter of the album I wrote this: "This is my intro to Genesis and Peter Gabriel, and I’m thinking it might not be the greatest place to start. There’s definitely some good here, particularly lots of unique instruments and sounds behind the vocals. Overall though, this just is not working for me. I don’t love the concept album, it feels like it should be the soundtrack for a movie or something instead of a standalone album. Everything just sounds a little over dramatic to me. This also might be heresy, but Peter Gabriel’s voice kind of rubs me the wrong way on a lot of the songs. I’m very open to being wrong about this one after listening to more of their stuff, but right now it’s not doing it for me." Then I don't know if the album took a turn for the better or I just started to get it or what, but I really liked a lot of it. There were a few stretches where I would give it a 4-5 rating and a few stretches where I would give it a 1-2 rating. Some of my criticisms from the beginning still definitely hold. It's a bit overly theatrical for my liking and it's way too long (especially given some weak stretches). I also do like the uniqueness of the background noises, but it's a bit synth-heavy on the back half which isn't really my thing. But still, a few places where this totally shined too, like Carpet Crawlers is buried in the middle of this 94 minute album and it's just incredible. I've never written so many words in a review and I still have no clue what to rate this. Usually a 3 for me means I'm mostly indifferent, but that's not the case at all here. What a ride. I think I need to listen to more Genesis and come back to this. Favorite song: Carpet Crawlers Others: Counting Out Time, The Waiting Room, It

I guess I'll never get Genesis. It's so goofy sounding, but not in a fun way like Rush or Yes or whatever.

Genesis at their very best. Gabriel's tale of Puerto Rican street punk Rael in NYC is timeless. If I had to choose one album to take on a desert island ...this is the one!

An early favorite

a really great album, the last Peter Gabriel-fronted release, still sounds progtastic, a concept album !

This is a thought on. I am neither sure if I loved or hated this and think I need to listen a few more times, but also know it is an hour and a half a time. It was at points beautiful, at points grating, lyrics often daft and sung with seriousness, sometimes at the same time. It sounds like a wierd cross between the Who, Zappa and Preservation era Kinks. My favourite moments tended to be the instrumentals, the waiting room and silent sorrow in empty boats, finding Gabriel's voice and lyrics a bit hard to take. I can't help wonder what the whole thing as pure instrumental would sound like. Yet despite all this, I can't help admire the ambition of it and found myself thinking more about this album than many I have lived. Perhaps that is a sign of its depth or maybe its just too silly for me to properly focus. Who knows, maybe that's what makes this challenge worthwhile.

Patchy, but Gabriel’s genius is still there

Amazing album. Love it.

Genesis with Peter Gabriel > Genesis with Phil Collins. Anyway, here are 1,001 albums you need to hear if you’re super into prog rock.

3.1 - Album 1 is good. I’d give album 1, by itself, a 3.6. Album 2 is absolutely horrendous. Every minute feels like the rock gods are meticulously exacting their pound of flesh from various parts of my body.

Finally bit the bullet and listened to the whole thing. Ambitious, musical, but still lacking those giant songs needed for something like this.

Bit long

That was harder work than I expected. Never listened to this start to finish, and it really is far too long and convoluted. There are a few brilliant bits in there - The Cage, both the On Broadway tracks, and Carpet Crawlers - but it's surrounded by a lot of what feels like filler. Story is convoluted and too literally 'Hero's Journey' for me, and musically it's much the same. Shave out the filler, cut it down to under an hour, and it's probably a 4 for me, as it is it barely scrapes a 3. Hopefully we have more, tighter Genesis albums to come...

I was only familiar with their well known songs so I was very interested in listening to this album because there aren't any well known songs on it. My first thought after listening it for the first time: Boy, I do NOT get progressive rock lmao! Also the album is a long one, but I guess if you're into Genesis alot that's a good thing. Tbh, I'm not really that into Phill's vocals. The lyrics vagueness differ from song to song and the usage of the synthesizer (way ahead of its era) makes the album a woolly experience. Sometimes I had the idea I was listening to an acid trip unfolding. I think I'll keep to their well known songs.

Too long, and not enough to keep me there

It’s very boring. None of these songs grabbed my attention. I just prefer the sellout pop rock version of Genesis to the highly conceptual prog rock one. Give me Invisible Touch and I Can’t Dance over this carpet crawlers bullshit any day.

why was it an hour and 34 minutes?

I kind of would just rather listen to Phil Collins’ or Peter Gabriel’s solo music… prog rock is so hard to get into

I don’t know if I’m just deaf or something but I understood 5 words per song on this album

I feel i should like this more than I do, have tried to listen to the whole album several times however and it doesn't do it for me. I normally like prog rock and story telling in music. This leaves me uninterested however, like a band trying hard to make an arty album.

First time hearing. Too whimsical for my taste. I like a lot of prog stuff from this era but couldn't really latch onto any tracks. The album is absurdly long too, which didn't help.

1.5

94 minutes! Goodness me God prog rock can be boring.... How can three grown men seriously sit and write this tosh! Boring beyond belief Rush do prog rock better

Filled with a lot of great moments. Excellent jams and songs throughout the entire album. Its a long sit but it doesn't really lose my interest and is plenty varied. All the songs work incredibly well on their own.

Peter Gabriel is wacky and makes wacky nonsense. You can't look at Genesis without admitting that. With that said, this is a great album. Concept albums almost always get a little fanciful and out there and this one does that in spades. Most of it being based on dreams and having a loosely disjointed thread is so great to see in an album. All the skill and talent are here and they built something they wanted to do in their own way, knowing it would be weirdly received by critics at best. Not all music can be like this but I'm really glad some is.

The album art, tho a little interesting doesn't do much for me. I got five tracks in on the car stereo, but this is a headphones album. Cinematic opening track. Fly on a Windshield/ Brodway Melody has a cool vibe. In the Cage; again so cinematic, driving energy. The synthy stuff is so good on here. This would all go great with 1980s animation like Time Masters or Gandahar. Back in N.Y.C. gives me anxiety, but it goes places. Maybe three tracks didn't instantly hit me on disc one, but they were all strong enough that I believe with more time appreciation would grow. I think taking a pause or intermission between disc one and two is the way to go. It felt jarring to go right into it. The Waiting Room was captivating. Anyway made me want to re-listen instantly. The Lamia won me over. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats was very pleasant accompanying the sun rise while listening. Then an audio play. The vocals could be a little louder. Great ending track for this cinematic experience. Takes you out on a high. Peter Gabriel makes really good cadence choices that make the listener pay attention. The production, creativity and writing are interesting throughout the two discs. It's a lot to listen to in one sitting, but it's quite the accomplishment. I'll need to schedule another listen someday.

Love Peter Gabriel and his era of Genesis. Love this album.

Gabriel era Genesis >> Collins era Genesis A rock opera of sorts, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a sprawling prog-rock adventure. In the Cage is an absolute jam. Love the synthesizer and bass work with the poly-rhythmic drums throughout. Back in N.Y.C. is another standout -- synthesizer dances up and down arpeggios while the bass thrums slowly. But really it is the drum work that shines here -- busy, but tight and always gratifying. Hairless Heart is both a very strange song name and a great instrumental ballad bridging Back in N.Y.C. into Counting Out Time. Things spread out into aural / ambient territory on Silent Sorry in Empty Boats before bleeding over to the multipart odyssey The Colony of Slippermen. The foreign sounding synth instrumental intro channels a more experimental atmosphere that's far from where this album started, but things quickly adopt a familiar tone as Gabriel takes the mic. Riding the Scree is way groovier than it has any right to be. While the tone of synths (often what I associate with ELP) is inherently silly (to me) the song absolutely jams with an energy similar to Stranglehold. Love this album through and through. Soft 5 (9/10) territory

That was a bit of an epic album I must say. Never really listened to old Genesis with Peter Gabriel at all but now I feel like I must listen to much more. That was like a combination of Rush, Yes, and Pink Floyd all rolled up into 1 Prog Rock opera sandwich which absolutely hits all of the right parts of my music affinity. Even at a whopping 94 minutes that album absolutely flew by with the seamless transitions and little instrumental/synthy interludes that came out of no where. Absolutely a slam dunk 5

1970s long form relax drug music. But LLDOB is so good!!

complex, unique, truly superb. continues to reward relistens, more than a decade than i first heard it.

One of my favorites, full of melody and bombast.

Amazing prog vibes

My favorite prog concept album. It never takes itself too seriously and is more outwardly impressive if a bit showy musically instead of being self indulgent. The story is gritty, psychological interesting and gounded in NYC reality rather than being a flight of fancy.

I love this album. So many fantastic tracks. Superb composition and instrumentation. A lot of the sounds on this album are just magical. Title track is fanatastic, the intro piano sets the mood for the album so well. In the Cage's keyboard solo a few minutes in is so good. Back in NYC is an absolute killer track and I love the high gritty vocals. Carpet Crawlers is delightful and often gets stuck in my head. Anyway has such an amazingly sinister heaviness. The Lamia is one of the most enchantingly beautiful songs I have ever heard, amazing composition and chord progression (and the subsequent track sounds like heaven). "It" is simply one of the most perfect final tracks I know of, it wraps the album up so well with such an amazing energy.

I’m a sucker for an overblown concept album so there was always a danger that I’d love this. Fortunately I’m also a sucker for a catchy hook, good riff and a bit of poetic storytelling and these are all present in spades. Of course, there is a lot here that is batshit crazy but it keeps on rewarding me with melodies, basslines and little fills that just bring joy to my ears. I had to come back to it a few times and kept expecting it to outstay its welcome (23 songs, 94 minutes…) but it never did. An absolute masterpiece.

Somehow never listened to early Genesis before; this is great, although dauntingly long of course. It'll need a few listens, but it's a masterpiece. Lyrics might indeed be completely mental, but the music is incredible.

The problem with streaming is you don't experience the bat shit crazy liner notes that peter Gabriel wrote on the vinyl cover. But, putting that aside, this is music that takes years to get into your DNA but, when it does, its majestic. Try 'Carpet Crawlers' as a stand alone track and you'l lget an insight as to what each piece can bring eventually. Its my favourite Genesis album and in my top 20 albums of all time.

Eines der größten Konzeptalben aller Zeiten. Klare 5/5 Sterne mit Herzchen!

5/5. This is nostalgia for me, and that will definitely be put into my score for this album. I can admit that song to song, they are not all perfect, but with albums as a whole, especially concept albums, the flow from song to song is most important and I am engaged every time, moving through each song with feeling and arriving solid conclusion. And then I want to start it up again. Progressive Rock is pretentious but it is also fun and epic, trying new things, hoping they stick, and if they do, it's hard dislike. My opinion of course, but an awesome album for me. Best Song: Carpet Crawlers, In The Cage, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

I first listened to this in my teens. It was my only attempt to listen to Genesis, and it put me off from them. I think my brain was simply too small then.

Some people consider this album to almost be the first Peter Gabriel solo album, but it's actually more accurate to think of it as the first Genesis album without Peter Gabriel, seeing as he wrote the lyrics, but then left it very much up to the rest of the band to come up with the music. It's probably the album from the original line up with the most consistent quality - in my opinion anyway. I can also understand the common complaint that it's hard work and doesn't have any stand out tracks. I struggled with this album many times before something clicked and I came to love it. It's very much a concept album, in that it needs to be played from start to finish in one sitting, taking you on a musical journey. It's also my favourite Genesis album by far, and an easy 5 stars. However, there's individual tracks on other albums that in isolation are head-and-shoulders above anything appearing here.

I am so glad so many people don't like it - it just confirms everything I ever thought about why people might listen to music. It mine, my precccciousssss. You will not get it.

Desert Island Disc. I’ve loved it for years.

First Album is nearly perfection. Second album gets a little lost, but ultimately still has some great moments. Chamber of 32 Doors and Anyway are incredible.

Uncertain if this is my favourite Genesis album (it’s either this one or Selling England By The Pound) but any album that is over an hour long that can keep me this engaged is an easy five-star album!

Genious album

Throwback to being young, discovering prog rock for the first time, and having plenty of uninterrupted 90+-minute segments throughout the day to actually listen to a full album.

It’s impressive that Genesis was able to produce one of the greatest prog albums of all time, when you read about the problematic writing and recording sessions. It’s too rare of an occasion that I get to listen to the entire thing in one sitting … And while that’s shame, I wouldn’t want it to be even a second shorter.

Wonderful!

I know my rating is irrationally high, but it is from my 15-year-old self.

Errogenous Zones, I love you! I've listened to this album many times before, and still have no clear idea what the narrative is about. The lyrics are very poetic, however, full of striking images and interesting turns of phrase. Musically as well, this album is great; I love the frantic keys and fantastical melodies that turn up throughout the first half. The second album is a bit more meandering and nightmarish, but still enjoyable and very atmospheric. I think this is the band at their creative peak, as things just weren't the same after Gabriel (and later Hackett) left. In fact, I think their second phase was so starkly different to the first that they should have changed the band's name. Overall, this is a brilliant album and one of the few double albums on the list that earns it's place. A real high point in prog rock.

so amazing!!

I'm continuing the tradition of giving every famous prog-rock band 5 stars (except Rush). This album has everything: the drummer being the most famous member of the band, weird lyrics, that electric organ, a flute, and a long runtime. It's also just beautiful.

An absolute mess of a narrative, but I’ll take this over The Wall any day. Brilliant songwriting and musicianship throughout. A-

Good find, really enjoyed it !

Original lineup of Genesis? Wonderful, legends of whatever genre that is, let's assume progressive rock. Influential, amazing, original and breathtaking. Definitely an album that deserves to be somewhere on the top of this list.

(Mai ascoltato prima) Wowww, fenomenale e super super inspiring. È così che si fanno le canzoni da 8 minuti cazzo.

An ambitious album that doesn’t quite meet its brief but reaches musical highs and still impresses to this day.

I absolutely LOVED this. The first disc is an easy 10 for me. I didn’t really enjoy disc 2 as much - but the first side being so good is still gonna keep my rating perfect. Love phill Collins but more so love the unique sound of the production.

Amazing prog with a soul

and the laaaamb.... lies doowwwn.... ON BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADWAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY LETSFUCKINGO

Had not listened to this album for many years. Perhaps a bit too much prog but definitely a classic album. And, unlike these overlong 90s albums on the list, the fact that it is a double album does not matter.

A work of sheer genius! Once I've listened to it, it's going to be one of my all-time favourite albums.

One of the best concept albums and Gabriel's presence(and future direction) is felt throughout the album. They were such a great band.

Now THAT is something really interesting. I'll give it a five in a feeling of contrast with all previous.

This was great. It's exactly what I think of when I imagine prog rock. Listening to it makes me feel like I'm in a Boo mansion (highest of compliments).

I haven’t tried a prog rock album yet, but this is a good intro to it! I love Peter Gabriel’s silky voice flowing over the instrumentals of every song. To me, this album feels like a musical. I wish to see a stage production of this in any way possible. 4.8/5 Fav: “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” Least Fav: “The Colony of Slippermen”

Feels like the first approachable prog rock album. Fascinating listen.

Wow. Having only ever grown up on 80's pop Genesis & Peter Gabriel, I had no idea that Gabriel-Genesis was Prog Rock! Color me surprised but in the best way possible. This was a *VERY* ambitious album by the group but pays off in a big way. The musicianship is top tier and the melodies are both haunting and beautiful. I really enjoyed the moments of soft introspective folksy tunes as well as the complete opposite full blown synthesizer prog. The lyrics are very out there but that's Prog for ya. You either love it or hate it. At different moments on the album you can hear hints of possible influences from their peers, from The Beatles to Rush to late stage Floyd. Completely enjoyable at every step. Definitely deserves a few more listens to really get a full feel for the breath and depth of this album. Standout Tracks: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway / The Light Dies Down on Broadway, Carpet Crawlers, Lilywhite Lillith, The Lamia

An absolute masterpiece of an album. "Carpet Crawlers" is an all-time great.

Lyrics: Pros: The lyrics of "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" are rich in symbolism and metaphor, weaving a surreal narrative that follows the protagonist, Rael, through a series of strange and fantastical events. Gabriel's storytelling is vivid and imaginative, creating a unique and immersive experience for the listener. Cons: The complexity of the storyline can be challenging to follow, and some listeners may find the abstract nature of the lyrics difficult to decipher. The narrative may be too esoteric for those who prefer straightforward and literal songwriting. Music: Pros: The musical compositions on the album showcase the progressive rock mastery of Genesis. Intricate instrumentals, dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, and a fusion of rock, folk, and classical elements contribute to a diverse and engaging musical experience. The band's technical prowess, particularly the intricate guitar work of Steve Hackett and the keyboard arrangements by Tony Banks, is a highlight. Cons: Some listeners might find the musical complexity overwhelming, and the avant-garde sections may be challenging for those who prefer more straightforward rock music. The album's length (over 90 minutes) could be a drawback for those with shorter attention spans. Production: Pros: Produced by John Burns and Genesis, the album features a meticulous attention to detail in its production. The use of studio effects and innovative recording techniques enhances the album's atmospheric and otherworldly qualities. The production contributes significantly to the overall immersive experience of the concept. Cons: Some critics argue that the production occasionally veers towards excess, with dense arrangements that might overwhelm certain listeners. Additionally, the production techniques used may sound somewhat dated to modern ears. Themes: Pros: "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the surreal journey of the protagonist. The album touches on existential and psychological concepts, creating a thought-provoking and introspective experience. The themes resonate with the album's progressive rock context and add depth to the overall narrative. Cons: The abstract and symbolic nature of the themes may alienate listeners who prefer more straightforward and accessible subject matter in their music. Influence: Pros: "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is considered a landmark album in the progressive rock genre. Its ambitious concept and musical innovation have influenced countless artists in the progressive and art rock realms. The album's impact extends beyond its initial release, inspiring subsequent generations of musicians. Cons: The album's avant-garde nature may limit its influence on mainstream or more commercially oriented music audiences. Pros and Cons Summary: Pros: Rich and imaginative storytelling in the lyrics. Musically diverse and technically impressive compositions. Meticulous and innovative production techniques. Thought-provoking exploration of existential themes. Significant influence on progressive and art rock genres. Cons: Complexity of the narrative may be challenging for some listeners. Musical complexity and avant-garde sections may not appeal to all audiences. Production techniques may sound dated to modern ears. Abstract and symbolic themes may alienate those seeking more straightforward lyrics. Limited mainstream or commercial appeal due to avant-garde nature. "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" stands as a testament to Genesis' artistic ambition and creative exploration during the progressive rock era. While its complexities may not be universally appreciated, the album remains a classic within the genre and a milestone in the band's discography.

As a Peter gabriel fan, I had to listen to The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis. I found some influences developped later in Peter Gabriel's work. Great album. Will listen again.

My second Favourite Genesis album

I grew up in an era where Genesis was fronted by Phil Collins, and Peter Gabriel was a solo act. I think I knew that Gabriel had been on Genesis, but I had no idea they made multiple albums with him. I may need to do some deep diving, as I love both Genesis AND Gabriel's solo stuff, and to the best of my knowledge have never heard a single song on this album before.

Genesis' peak - PG left after this to do his own thing, and Genesis morphed into a different band. This is some serious prog, including a fanciful concept story about Rael, but musically it really works, and Gabriel' vocals are excellent - I really like the bit in the Raven where the vocal shifts from Gabriel to Phil Collins as it shifts character. Possibly one of my favorite albums of all time, though I appreciate that's colored by my teenage self's love for it.

Amazing!!

Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, Back In NYC

El Classico

2 many bangers. I will admit I am biased towards this album since Peter Gabriel era Genesis holds a special place in my heart, but this album is such an excellent final effort. The 5 minute wank of ”The Waiting Room” could be cut but everything else is essential. Possibly the briskest 94 minutes of music on tape.

Je suis chanceux cette semaine. Beaucoup d'album malade. Cet album de Genesis a juste pas de sens . Dans le sens. Vraiment à avoir écouté. Le théâtrale a son maximum. 5

Elsku bestu prog Genesis 🥰🥰 Ég hreinlega elska þetta!

Repeated listens to this during a college-insomnia spell probably have contributed more to my occasional mental instability as much as anything else I can think of. Yes it's weird. Not just standard "oh old Genesis was weird" weird but kinda messed-up weird. Epic. I can see how/why Pete left after this one - where else were they gonna go from here? (and both PG's and Genesis' next albums were my respective faves from each so a good call by all parties) I guess it is prog but I wonder if that's truly accurate. Sweeping melodies, some memorable choruses, there are even a few catchy singles. I mean...you do have mellotron, 7/4 timing, tracks that blend into one another telling a non sensical story that's still a bit terrifying... sure sure prog ok. But still so much more immediately accessible than most of their peers' records. Not to be listened-to in parts; it's a full album - really best listened to all at once. Or at least in halves... my only critique and it's probably significant is that after "Lilywhite Lilith" (first song on "side 3") it really is not so great [even after decades of me trying to enjoy it] - it's got the weird but without the decent song-structure. It definitely picks up a bit more near the end but never connects quite like the first half does. Still - that first part alone is so bizarre/fantastic on its own that it's worthy of full marks and has been a personal fave for ages. 9/10 5 stars.

An absolute classic

I found this quite interesting to listen to. I don’t know what the story is, because I just couldn’t concentrate for that long on the lyrics, but it was engaging for my ears.

Ohhhh, this one is goooooood. I’m angry I’m only hearing it now. I wish I’d discovered it as a teenager when I would listen to albums enough to memorize them. I don’t think I have that in me now but I’m tempted to try.

A very trippy journey - not the Genesis I grew up on and the influence of Peter Gabriel is quite apparent. I really enjoyed this album. It is almost more of a cinematic experience than a typical album listen since it was a longer journey that I’m unlikely to listen to regularly, but am likely to remember and listen to again. Fabulous and certainly something I’m glad to have listened to!

10/10 few prog rock bands are able to match the endless creativity and charming charisma that Genesis has (only one I can think of is Yes, and maybe Rush)