Genesis vs Renaissance

Both are good but Genesis is the winner here! =)

Originally posted by moshkito Hi,   Renaissance.   In the end, the body of work deserves more respect and attention than a lot of Genesis' music specially when they went pop and I was no longer interested. I carried Genesis until "Trick of the Tail" and the rest ... not important or needed. And I can tell you I have a lot more Renaissance albums and that Annie's voice is a lot prettier than Phil's ever was, not to mention that the lyricism and work done by Renaissance was much better written and defined and had more than one world known poetess writing for them!   Sorry ... Genesis comes off as just pop music by comparison!

My, my, you do sound like the prog equivalent of a tr00 old Metallica fan.  I don't think there are very many people on this forum who admire Annie Haslam's singing more than me but sorry, Genesis, easily.  Not the sum total of Renaissance's prog albums can amount to the sheer brilliance of Lamb or Foxtrot or SEBTP in their individual capacities.   Renaissance were solid and tasteful and, especially live, propped up in no small measure by Annie's talents, Genesis at their best shimmered with brilliance and genius.

But since aginor wanted Renaissance recommendations, I will answer to that.  If you'd like to start off with their more ambitious side, I'd suggest Novella or Scheherazade and other Stories. Also, Song for All Seasons, where they began to go pop (ermmmm, Timeline, mr.moshkito!) but the two long tracks should still satiate symph prog fans.  Ashes are Burning and Turn of the Cards are more accessible and easier to get into but there's the possibility you might write it off as too lightweight for classic prog. Novella will call for a lot more application but is eventually more rewarding.  Should you like the singing, I'd then recommend investigating their live stuff more because that's where Annie's talents are in greater evidence.  A primer:



The arrangements have been rejigged - badly! - for the 80s but the singing should not be passed over. This is what the song - Ashes Are Burning -sounded like on the original 70s studio album:



I know a little bit of your tastes - you like somewhat glossy, polished pop, am I right?  You might then like both these songs:








Edited by rogerthat - January 21 2011 at 22:24

I've only heard one live album by Rennaisance, and many other albums from Genesis. Needless to say, I enjoy both bands a lot. I would like to vote for Renaissance here, but I think one live album is not enough to do so, I don't really know if there are enough songs of the same quality to make them bigger than Genesis for me. However, getting more Renaissance albums is one of my prog priorities at the moment.

Renaissance!Nice folk band!I like more Genesis but sometimes are technical.

I voted both (because you offered it). I like Genesis a bit more, but Renaissance is definitely in my top ten of favourite bands. If you are new to Renaissance, try Live at Carnegie Hall . 

Both, but I prefer Genesis. Nevertheless, Turn of the Cards is a great album.

Originally posted by akaBona Genesis easily when thinking of Gabriel era masterpieces. But after Gabriel their material was so weak, mostly embarrasing pop songs (though few decent prog song I admit), that I´d prefer Renaissance. Voted Genesis just because of Trespass > >> > Lamb masterpieces. From Renaissance I recommend Prologue, Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade. Fantastic albums!

This is not directed to you particularly but I just want to generally ask do you folks like Ren's pop albums?
As much as I dislike pop Genesis, Timeline really 'takes the cake', unrelentingly third rate with Annie sounding uncomfortable and out of character. Camera Camera is not much better. Azure D' Or wasn't too bad and without the dry production values, would be a little better regarded. 

Originally posted by chopper Just go and listen to Renaissance, if you are a Genesis fan you will probably like them but there's no need to compare them to make a judgement.

this , by all means ! start with ashes , turn & prologue !    

Originally posted by rogerthat Originally posted by akaBona Genesis easily when thinking of Gabriel era masterpieces. But after Gabriel their material was so weak, mostly embarrasing pop songs (though few decent prog song I admit), that I´d prefer Renaissance. Voted Genesis just because of Trespass > >> > Lamb masterpieces. From Renaissance I recommend Prologue, Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade. Fantastic albums! This is not directed to you particularly but I just want to generally ask do you folks like Ren's pop albums? As much as I dislike pop Genesis, Timeline really 'takes the cake', unrelentingly third rate with Annie sounding uncomfortable and out of character. Camera Camera is not much better. Azure D' Or wasn't too bad and without the dry production values, would be a little better regarded.

Ren's pop albums don't belong to my collection. Actually there is lots of late Ren material I have not heard, only some extracts from their last 5-6 albums. The main Renaissance albums were recorded in 70's, same thing with Genesis and for example with Yes.

Actually this was a good reminder to listen some Renaissance again.

Genesis