When I first got into Genesis in the late 70's, they had just released
...and then there were three... Genesis was still only just picking up steam in the U.S., and to that end, Charisma re-released
Nursery Cryme and
Foxtrot together as a double LP.
Didn't include the original cover art or lyrics, but there were
some liner notes and apparently all musician credits, so that was cool. Eventually, I replaced them with imports so they would "open up". Cheapo American re-releases of these albums were just a regular jacket and blank sleeve. If an album originally opened up, I always had to have that version. Original album art, liner notes, musician credits, lyrics... I want it all.
Anyway, these two albums are probably the most similar to each other of any two from the Genesis catalog, so between that and how I first experienced them, they're practically two halves of a double album in my mind. And of course, they're the first two albums by what would become the classic five-piece lineup.
I really can't choose a favorite between the two.
Nursery Cryme was amazing for the premiere album from the new lineup. The songs on
Foxtrot are a bit more sophisticated, but "The Musical Box", "The Retun Of The Giant Hogweed", and "The Fountain Of Salmacis" are very impressive, and I love "Harold The Barrel" (especially the surprise ending!) It depends on the mood.
Nursery Cryme is a bit lighter,
Foxtrot is for getting a little more heavy duty.