FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

Although many die-hard proggers don't even count this as part of the "splendid" Gabriel era, it is oh so more than meets the ear. My usual way of rating things is giving each track up to two points, finding a fraction, and rounding it to the nearest fifth. Since I'm assuming everyone knows about how this album came to be, let's begin.

Where the Sour Turn the Sweet is like a PG rated showtune. Surprisingly, it works well enough. One point.

In the Beginning is a lot like "The Knife" in style. I wouldn't say it is as good, but it has guts. Two points.

Fireside Song is comforting, but a little sappy. Maybe it's the strings. One point.

I like that The Serpent is a combination of the future ("Twilight Alehouse") and the past ("She is Beautiful"). I also like that it can be Christian rock without saying "God is great, everything else sucks". Two points.

Am I Very Wrong is beautiful transition from "The Silent Sun" to "Stagnation". Two very different songs, but it works here. Two Points.

In the Wilderness is another ancestor of "The Knife". It is also one of the few songs Tony Banks likes from this album. Two Points.

The Conqueror opens up side two for us nicely. It's just... sassy... Two points.

In Hiding is based off of one of the first demo tracks in 1967, "Patricia". I love both. It makes no sense lyrically, but it is still beautiful. Yeah, Peter Gabriel, go take off your face clothes. (*Sniff*) Two Points.

One Day comes up as another Broadway showtune, but it has a charm at the beginning that does not wear off, only change form. Two points.

Window is a very quiet tune, but it helps go to sleep without being boring. One point.

In Limbo is a very uplifting little ditty. The key gets a little too high for Gabriel's vocal chords, but it's overall okay. One point.

The Silent Sun may be a generic Bee Gees rip-off, but it sounds so sincere you might as well melt in the love. One point.

A Place to Call my Own is apparently about being born. Since this was supposed to be longer originally and the album started as a concept album about the Bible, I assume it was about the birth of Jesus. Whatever it discusses, it ends leaving you wanting more, and in a good way. One point (Two if it were longer...)

In all, it's 20/26, which is about 77%. So, four stars it is, for the pop and the prog. For those who despise this album, listen to In the Beginning, The Conqueror, or In the Wilderness. This is truly the seed of The Knife and Stagnation, and most artsy fartsy music lovers out there love those. Give it a try. You'll be surprised.