What makes a concept album good? Is the music, or the concept, or both? Sometimes the concept can be so overwrought yet the music can more than make for it. Sometimes the concept can be perfect yet the music just isn't there to back it up. Genesis' 1974 double album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" is one such album that falls into the former category. The concept is intended to be simple : It tells the story of a half Puerto Rican by the name of Rael who goes on a surreal journey through the twisted and fantastical underbelly of 1970's New York City to search for his estranged brother John. The further one reads into the story, the crazier it gets, introducing weird and magical creatures along the way as well plenty of obscure literary references.It also very satirical in nature.
However if you're not kind of the person interested in such elaborate story-telling, fear not. There are some true gems to be found on this album, and one such song is "In the Cage". Found on the first half of the album, it is a classic example of British progressive rock. A word of caution : Don't let the term "progressive rock" fool you into thinking that it has the spacey, tripped out feel of classic Floyd. This is the kind of song that was in essence meant to fit into a Broadway musical. Starting off with a simple bass line, the keyboards and Peter Gabriel's vocals introduce themselves into the mix, building the tension slowly. Rael is trapped in a cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites which form a cage around his body. His initial confusion turns to fear as he desperately tries to escape. He sees his brother John outside the cage and cries out in desperation but alas! John ignores him and walks away. From a musical point of view, it is a good mix of progressive and pop rock. Tony Banks' keyboard solos are excellent, always twisting and turning and Phil Collins drumming is outstanding. The way the song changes to convey Rael's changing moods are a testament to Genesis' quality as musicians. It is as intense as it is powerful.
"I got sunshine in my stomach
Like I just rocked my baby to sleep.
I got sunshine in my stomach
But I can't keep me from creeping sleep,
Sleep, deep in the deep.
Rockface moves to press my skin
White liquid turn sour within
Turn fast - turn sour
Turn sweat - turn sour.
Must tell myself that I'm not here.
I'm drowning in a liquid fear.
Bottled in a strong compression,
My distortion shows obsession
In the cave.
Get me out of this cave!
If I keep my self-control,
I'll be safe in my soul.
And the childhood belief
Brings a moment's relief,
But my cynic soon returns
And the lifeboat burns.
My spirit just never learns.
Stalactites, stalagmites
Shut me in, lock me tight.
Lips are dry, throat is dry.
Feel like burning, stomach churning,
I'm dressed up in a white costume
Padding out leftover room.
Body stretching, feel the wretching
In the cage
Get me out of the cage!
In the glare of a light,
I see a strange kind of sight;
Of cages joined to form a star
Each person can't go very far;
All tied to their things
They're netted by their strings,
Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings.
Outside the cage I see my Brother John,
He turns his head so slowly round.
I cry out Help! before he can be gone,
And he looks at me without a sound.
And I shout out 'John please help me!'
But he does not even want to try to speak.
I'm helpless in my violent rage
And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek,
And I watch him turn away and leave the cage.
My little runaway.
(Raindrops keep falling on my head, they keep falling on my...)
In a trap, feel a strap
Holding still. Pinned for kill.
Chances narrow that I'll make it,
In the cushioned straight-jacket.
Just like 22nd Street,
They got me by my neck and feet.
Pressures building, can't take more.
My headaches charge, earaches roar.
In this pain
Get me out of this pain.
If I could change to liquid,
I could fill the cracks up in the rocks.
I know that I am solid
And I am my own bad luck.
Outside John disappears, my cage dissolves,
without any reason my body revolves.
Keep on turning,
Keep on turning,
Turning around,
spinning around.
(round, round, round, round...)"
