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GENESIS

Symphonic Prog • United Kingdom


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Genesis biography
Formed in 1967 at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, UK - Disbanded in 1998 - Shortly reunited in 2007-08


Beloved Symphonic prog rock through to stadium filling rock titans

Any biography of Genesis must recognise that there are distinct periods in the band's history, and that any discussion should recognise that musically and lyrically, the band which filled vast stadia throughout the 1990's was a completely different creature to that which played sweaty student halls filled with spotty young men in the early 1970's.

The original incarnation of the band had its origins in two outfits formed by Peter GABRIEL (vocals & flute), Tony BANKS (keyboards), Michael RUTHERFORD (bass & rhythm guitars), and Anthony PHILLIPS (lead guitars) whilst boarding students at the elite English public school, Charterhouse in the mid-1960's. Outside the confines of an extremely stuffy atmosphere, the world was becoming far more liberated, socially, sexually, politically, and musically, and these bands represented an outlet for young men who, basically, as young men do, wanted some of that.

The two acts coalesced into one, and the students had the novel idea of placing a tape of their music into the hands of Jonathan King whilst he was visiting his alma mater. King was, at this time, a big selling artist and musical impresario, and, consequently, someone who mattered in the rock world.

The tapes were basic, but King took a shine to Gabriel's voice, and recognised a unique sound and talent which, if nurtured, could become huge. He arranged for the band, with drummer Chris Stewart, to record some sessions in London, where the boys experimented with quite complex, orchestral pastiches. Knowing that King was not happy, the band penned Silent Sun, a song which was essentially a Bee Gees tribute single. The brothers Gibb were huge commercially at this time, and King was known to be a huge fan. The resulting album in early 1969 was named "Genesis to Revelation" by King, as representing something brand new and exciting in the musical world. It barely scratched the surface of the commercial music world, and, for many a year after, copies could still be found in the bargain bin section of stores.

Following this, there was, initially, some d...
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GENESIS discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

GENESIS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.54 | 1302 ratings
From Genesis to Revelation
1969
4.14 | 2587 ratings
Trespass
1970
4.42 | 3523 ratings
Nursery Cryme
1971
4.61 | 3987 ratings
Foxtrot
1972
4.65 | 4587 ratings
Selling England by the Pound
1973
4.31 | 3299 ratings
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
1974
4.28 | 2897 ratings
A Trick of the Tail
1976
4.11 | 2185 ratings
Wind & Wuthering
1976
3.43 | 1635 ratings
...And Then There Were Three...
1978
3.51 | 1656 ratings
Duke
1980
2.61 | 1432 ratings
Abacab
1981
2.79 | 1426 ratings
Genesis
1983
2.49 | 1458 ratings
Invisible Touch
1986
2.66 | 1319 ratings
We Can't Dance
1991
2.46 | 1128 ratings
Calling All Stations
1997

GENESIS Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.99 | 1029 ratings
Genesis Live
1973
4.34 | 1057 ratings
Seconds Out
1977
3.49 | 574 ratings
Three Sides Live
1982
2.15 | 396 ratings
Live - The Way We Walk Volume One - The Shorts
1992
2.93 | 406 ratings
Live - The Way We Walk Volume Two - The Longs
1993
3.28 | 368 ratings
Live over Europe 2007
2007
4.75 | 4 ratings
Watcher of the Skies - 1972
2023

GENESIS Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.47 | 174 ratings
In Concert 1976
1977
3.14 | 93 ratings
Three Sides Live
1982
3.36 | 72 ratings
The Mama Tour
1985
2.51 | 60 ratings
Visible Touch (VHS)
1987
3.37 | 50 ratings
A History Of Genesis
1991
3.40 | 87 ratings
The Way We Walk (DVD)
2001
3.92 | 60 ratings
The Genesis Songbook
2001
2.95 | 36 ratings
Inside Genesis 1975-1980
2003
3.24 | 114 ratings
Invisible Touch - Live At Wembley (DVD)
2004
3.08 | 86 ratings
The Video Show
2004
3.98 | 101 ratings
Genesis Live Video
2004
2.92 | 43 ratings
Inside Genesis The Gabriel Years 1970-1975
2004
3.13 | 21 ratings
Rock Review - A Critical Retrospective
2005
2.58 | 45 ratings
The Gabriel Era
2006
3.78 | 66 ratings
In London
2007
3.53 | 17 ratings
Up Close And Personal (DVD and book set)
2007
4.16 | 185 ratings
When In Rome
2008
3.31 | 16 ratings
Land of Confusion
2010
2.49 | 40 ratings
Sum Of The Parts
2014

GENESIS Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.48 | 10 ratings
Presenting Genesis
1974
3.29 | 5 ratings
70's Pop Sound
1974
4.22 | 13 ratings
Genesis Collection Volume One
1975
4.31 | 13 ratings
Genesis Collection Volume Two
1975
2.68 | 58 ratings
Reflection - Rock Theatre
1975
4.09 | 29 ratings
The Best...
1976
2.60 | 19 ratings
Genesis in Concert
1977
3.61 | 8 ratings
The Story Of Genesis
1978
4.22 | 21 ratings
Nursery Cryme / Foxtrot
1979
3.24 | 6 ratings
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
1981
3.25 | 5 ratings
Genesis
1981
2.48 | 8 ratings
Genesis
1981
2.31 | 7 ratings
Genesis
1989
1.38 | 7 ratings
The Vertigo Years
1990
2.46 | 38 ratings
Turn It On Again - Best Of 81-83
1991
4.28 | 292 ratings
Archive 1967-1975
1998
2.82 | 29 ratings
The Original Album
1998
2.03 | 10 ratings
The Greatest
1998
2.26 | 124 ratings
Turn It On Again - The Hits
1999
3.00 | 162 ratings
Archive #2 1976-1992
2000
3.21 | 109 ratings
The Platinum Collection
2004
2.05 | 21 ratings
14 From Our Past
2007
3.52 | 107 ratings
Genesis 1983-1998
2007
2.24 | 51 ratings
Turn It On Again The Hits -The Tour Edition
2007
3.93 | 146 ratings
Genesis 1976 - 1982
2007
4.56 | 222 ratings
Genesis 1970 -75
2008
3.81 | 111 ratings
Genesis Live 1973 - 2007
2009
4.40 | 20 ratings
The Movie Box
2009
2.43 | 7 ratings
The Magic Of Time
2013
2.36 | 51 ratings
R-Kive
2014
3.03 | 21 ratings
The Last Domino?
2021
4.20 | 12 ratings
BBC Broadcasts
2023

GENESIS Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

2.58 | 37 ratings
The Silent Sun / That's Me
1968
2.64 | 31 ratings
A Winter's Tale / One-Eyed Hound
1968
2.78 | 21 ratings
GENESIS
1969
4.11 | 63 ratings
The Knife
1971
4.21 | 29 ratings
Nursery Cryme
1972
3.21 | 64 ratings
Happy The Man
1972
4.06 | 76 ratings
Twilight Alehouse
1973
4.27 | 70 ratings
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
1973
4.55 | 41 ratings
Watcher of the Skies
1973
4.00 | 20 ratings
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) / After The Ordeal
1973
3.71 | 21 ratings
I Know What I Like / More Fool Me
1973
4.29 | 17 ratings
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (Promo)
1974
4.14 | 58 ratings
Counting Out Time
1974
4.36 | 69 ratings
The Carpet Crawlers / The Waiting Room
1975
4.21 | 54 ratings
Counting Out Time / Riding The Scree
1975
4.54 | 28 ratings
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
1975
3.65 | 30 ratings
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
1975
3.94 | 33 ratings
The Carpet Crawl
1975
4.31 | 35 ratings
A Trick of the Tail
1976
3.35 | 32 ratings
Ripples
1976
3.98 | 49 ratings
Entangled
1976
3.27 | 36 ratings
Your Own Special Way
1976
4.60 | 25 ratings
Entangled / Ripples
1976
4.41 | 27 ratings
A Trick Of The Tail / Squonk
1976
4.10 | 21 ratings
A Trick Of The Tail / Carpet Crawl
1976
3.94 | 17 ratings
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) / Carpet Crawl
1977
2.99 | 167 ratings
Spot the Pigeon
1977
3.22 | 18 ratings
Go West Young Man (In the Motherlode)
1978
3.24 | 63 ratings
Follow You Follow Me
1978
3.92 | 49 ratings
Many Too Many
1978
3.40 | 50 ratings
Duchess/Open Door
1980
2.92 | 50 ratings
Misunderstanding
1980
3.71 | 53 ratings
Turn it on again
1980
2.83 | 41 ratings
No reply at all
1981
2.88 | 63 ratings
Abacab
1981
2.69 | 46 ratings
Keep it dark
1981
2.38 | 49 ratings
3 X 3
1982
3.92 | 18 ratings
The Lady Lies
1982
3.00 | 18 ratings
Paperlate picture 7''
1982
2.90 | 37 ratings
Man On The Corner
1982
2.96 | 9 ratings
Turn It On Again (Live)
1982
4.10 | 10 ratings
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) / Counting Out Time
1982
3.73 | 11 ratings
Follow You, Follow Me / A Trick Of The Tail
1983
4.17 | 21 ratings
Home By The Sea
1983
4.33 | 35 ratings
Firth Of Fifth
1983
3.07 | 62 ratings
Mama
1983
2.91 | 43 ratings
That's All
1983
2.33 | 45 ratings
Illegal Alien
1983
2.56 | 26 ratings
Taking it all too hard
1984
2.75 | 8 ratings
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight Exclusive Candid Interview
1986
2.37 | 54 ratings
Invisible Touch
1986
2.38 | 41 ratings
Throwing It All Away
1986
2.07 | 44 ratings
In Too Deep
1986
2.61 | 61 ratings
Land of Confusion
1986
3.33 | 39 ratings
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight 12''
1987
3.34 | 29 ratings
Tonight, Tonight Tonight Tonight 7''
1987
3.56 | 45 ratings
No Son Of Mine
1991
1.79 | 14 ratings
We Can't Dance (Special Edition Volkswagen)
1991
2.48 | 21 ratings
Tell Me Why 5'' Cd single
1992
2.56 | 36 ratings
Jesus He Knows Me 5'' CD single
1992
2.35 | 46 ratings
I Can't Dance
1992
2.59 | 37 ratings
Hold On My Heart
1992
2.30 | 22 ratings
Never a Time
1993
2.75 | 21 ratings
Tell me why
1993
3.27 | 11 ratings
...Calling All Stations... Album Sampler...
1997
1.90 | 54 ratings
Congo
1997
2.58 | 39 ratings
Shipwrecked
1997
2.48 | 41 ratings
Not About Us
1998
2.93 | 39 ratings
The Carpet Crawlers 1999 promo CD
1999

GENESIS Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Abacab by GENESIS album cover Studio Album, 1981
2.61 | 1432 ratings

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Abacab
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by VianaProghead
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Review Nš 682

"Abacab" is the eleventh studio album of Genesis and it was released in 1981. Curiously and strangely, the album was released with four different embossed art covers simultaneously across the country and all depicting the same collage but with the paper shapes in different colours. The four different covers variants are usually identified by the colour of the largest upper shape adjacent to the title lettering. This shape was being coloured navy blue, red, peach and yellow.

"Duke" showcased a new Genesis, a sleek, hard, stylish trio that truly sounded like a different band from their first incarnation. But, "Abacab" was where this new incarnation of the band came into its own. "Abacab" continues the band's sharp stylistic shift, that begun on the preceding studio album "Duke", towards to a more radio friendly pop music sound. Genesis escalated the innovations of "Duke", increasing the pop hooks, working them seamlessly into the artiest rock here. The sound on the album is as bright, bold, and jagged as the modernist artwork on the art cover.

"Abacab" has nine tracks. All songs were written by Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, except "Me And Sarah Jane" written by Tony Banks, "Man On The Corner" written by Phil Collins and "Like It Or Not" written by Mike Rutherford. The first track is the title song "Abacab". It was the second single taken from the album. The title was taken from the structure of an early version of the song, which no longer followed that format. I like very much of this song and I sincerely think we are in presence of one of the best songs on this album. This is a song with a very simple structure but that progress in a modern sound. The second track "No Reply At All" was the song released as the first single from "Abacab". This song marks clearly a step toward the mainstream pop direction that Genesis was taking at the time, and shows perfectly well the main influence of Phil Collins in the song writing of the group. It's a nice and typical pop song in the same vein of Collins' solo studio albums. See the inclusion of horns on it. The third track "Me And Sarah Jane" is clearly one of the two best songs on the album and is also the only song with slight reminiscences from Gabriel's musical era. This is a perfect example that proves the band never cut completely with their progressive roots, and why I always considered Tony Banks with Steve Hackett my Genesis favourite band's members. The fourth track "Keep It Dark" was another song to be taken from the album to be released as a single. It's a little rock song with an unusual musical structure and a different rhythm. It's lead by a distinct and syncopated rhythm guitar sound and by the voice of Phil Collins that sings in falsetto for certain lines of the song. This is a nice and pleasant song to hear. The fifth track "Dodo/Lurker" is the other highlight of the album, with "Me And Sarah Jane". It follows the same steps of "Duke's Travels" and "Duke's Ends" of their previous studio album "Duke". This is clearly a song with many good progressive parts. The beginning of the song reminds me very much their eighth studio album "Wind And Wuthering". The sixth track "Who Dunnit?" is the biggest and true deception of this album. I have some difficulty to express really my true feelings about it. This is, without any doubt, one of the worst things I've ever heard from any one. The lyrics are completely stupid and the music is repetitively annoying, which made of this song a complete aberration. The seventh track "Man On The Corner" is another song of the album released as a single. This is a song with a very simple musical structure, commanded by a simple drum machine and by the voice of Phil Collins. This is another nice and typical Phil Collins' song, very similar to many other songs made by him. The eighth track "Like It Or Not" sounds to some old songs made by Mike Rutherford in Steve Hackett's musical era. It's a very simple song without great progressivity and made more in the Phil Collins' style. However, we are in presence, in my humble opinion, of one good track with a very good melody and it's nice to hear. The ninth and last track "Another Record" was the song chosen to be released as the B side of their second single "Abacab". It's another pop song with nice rhythm and melody, and nice to hear. This is another song clearly influenced by Phil Collins' pop style. Anyway, this song represents a nice way to finish this album.

Conclusion: "Abacab" represents definitely the last step to turn Genesis into a pop/rock band. It confirms the path started by them with their previous studio album "Duke". I don't say "And Then There Were Three?", because who read my reviews know that I consider it a truly progressive album, not as good, but in the same vein of "A Trick Of The Tail" and "Wind And Wuthering". "Abacab" isn't really a bad album. We may even say that it's a good album. In reality, it has even three very good songs, "Abacab" and especially "Me And Sarah Jane" and "Dodo/Lurker". The rest of the album is good, but we can say that it's also very vulgar for a progressive album, with the exception of "Who Dunnit?", which is absolutely awful. I had already referred to this track, previously, when I reviewed some time ago, "The Game" of Queen. Then, I wrote that "Don't Try Suicide" from that album is, for me, one of the worst songs made by Queen and that it reminds me immediately "Who Dunnit?". However, "Who Dunnit?" is even worse than "Don't Try Suicide", really.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

 Turn It On Again - The Hits by GENESIS album cover Boxset/Compilation, 1999
2.26 | 124 ratings

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Turn It On Again - The Hits
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

2 stars #56 Review

I will start by saying that this album was a hit, it managed to get even 4 platinum in some countries, so from money Genesis perspective, this was a good release, meanwhile i can't imagine me or most of us even daring to buy this thing, unless you have nothing else to buy.

I encourage you to read the titles at the top of this page, in its album description, i will only focus and point out the ones that are different in length and structure to the original album releases:

- Mama (Single Edit): It starts sooner, a lot sooner, the wait for the keyboard is shorter and what the keyboard plays before the singing is also cut a bit (no repetition), the instrumental intermission is also cut short, and it fades out earlier at the guitar solo, making the original 7 minute track into a 5:20 one.

- Abacab (Single Edit): Based on the video version, its a terrible conversion, this doesn't say much, but i have literally done better mixes than this one. This one cuts right before the instrumental at 3:30 and re-starts part of the introduction, making this almost 7 minute track a 4 minute one.

- No Son of Mine (Hits Edit): This one cuts a bit of the introduction... i really don't like this song much, so i don't know what really got cut in here to make this track a minute short, its probably just the introduction and ending getting a bit cut, i'm glad because i really don't like how the track ends.

- Tonight, Tonight, Tonight (Single Edit): This is probably the worst offender, the edit cut is worse than Abacab, it reduces the track to literally half its length, skipping the instrumental section entirely, this is also based on the video version. The cut is extremelly jarring and cheap in comparison to all the others, because its just a fade-in, even the Michelob ad did it better, i can't believe this is a real release, i have literally done better edits than this.

- Congo (Hits Edit): Doesn't say that its an edit (on YT), and despite this song already having a single version, this one is slightly different as it includes the introduction, but still not the solo, what an odd choice really, they could've just added the single version.

- Carpet Crawlers 1999: A new rendition of the classic Genesis song done in studio, with some approval from the band, apparently not Mike nor Tony played anything in this version, yet Phil, Steve and Peter did give new lines, but i can't confirm. Compositions will always be beautyful, no matter the form, but in this case, i'm not a fan, most of the things i like from the original are missing (like the keyboards) and the new sections added don't work for me. The only reason i don't hate this track its because of were it comes, rather than whatever this new version is trying to accomplish.

Even though this album has some changes, they aren't interesting enough to warrant a listen, the edits are mostly bad and unnecessary, and the final track, was released as a single that i already reviewed, and again, it doesn't warrant someone buying this collection, but its a welcome adition. Overall, this official release was apparently pretty popular, and at the time, i can see why but also i can't, during that time it was easy to find bootleg compilations that probably would've featured the same tracks and in complete form, and nowadays its even worse, because of the easy to access music on the internet, having the package could be interesting, but in my case, i feel better by getting the albums separately and the single as well, the only saving grace of this compilation would be the "Hits Edits", but those are a few, are bad and/or not interesting, so this compilation is a no from me, only for hardcore fans that even want the trash edits that Genesis did in a few minutes... i seriously can't stress enough how worse than amateur the edit is in Tonight, Tonight, Tonight, they should've atleast fixed that one for this release.

 Follow You Follow Me by GENESIS album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1978
3.24 | 63 ratings

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Follow You Follow Me
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

4 stars #55 Review

It so happens that the version of the single that's available on the official Genesis YT page (atleast for my region) is the US single, and the one featured here is the UK single, there is a big chance that the previous review also had this difference. This US single is vastly superior to the UK one, because of its B-side.

- Follow You Follow Me (Single version): Its obvious that this is the single version, but its important to point out that there is a difference from the album version, because this one has a different mixing, the bass is brought more to the front and the keyboards mark the chords more than the studio version. I personally think that this is great, a big incentive to get this version more than the others, and its available in the official YT channel of all places.

- Inside and Out: Ok, this was on the EP released before this single, but the EP wasn't released outside of the UK, so this was the only way the US got to hear this excellent track (without bootlegs or imports) so i'm glad they did this, wether a decision from the band or not, its just the fact that this track had to be listened more, the band really liked this track and overall, this and the new mix of Follow You Follow Me made this release a must for a Genesis fan at the time.

Nowadays, in the digital age, this release doesn't seem that special, if you only listen to the official releases by the band though, that meaning, Spotify or Genesis official YT channel, this release has something that you won't find in any other album, and that's the different mix. This single is the reason i came back to review singles, i wish the others were more unique, i think that if you are a Genesis fan, this is special, if you like Inside and Out only, but not the rest of the EP, this is also special (unless you hate Follow You Follow Me, wich is something hard to do, specially with that solo), the american B-side is a must, and the new mix is also a must, so there you go.

Next up, i will continue with compilations, those also have some weird things.

 Turn It On Again - Best Of 81-83 by GENESIS album cover Boxset/Compilation, 1991
2.46 | 38 ratings

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Turn It On Again - Best Of 81-83
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by genbanks

3 stars Returning to my role of reviewer I chose an odd and rare item but relatively easy for me to develop. I met with this album at the beginning of the '90s as a part of the CD collection of a female friend of mine. She liked Genesis as she liked many other bands of this moment and surely she bought this album as 'something else' and no more than this. For a died hard fan like me with almost 10 years of Genesis on my back at this time, at a first glance it resulted a sort of pastiche but soon I realized about the presence of two 'jewels' I could say. Clearly I can divide the review in two parts:

Part1: The irrelevant Not because of the songs, most of them I loved for years and even love them, but put here in a weird 'mescolanza' of tracks from Shapes, Abacab and Three sides live. In a random order, without any criteria, mixing live with studio, there is nothing special to say. Just that Mama is a bit shortened and Home by the sea is criminally cut with a bad quality fade out.

Part2: The relevant Beyond the judgement one can do about this songs and versions, clearly they conform a hook for the fans, and in the light of time, it is not a minor issue.

Turn it on again: I met with this version long time ago when I bought in a record shop a cassette of the EP Spot the pigeon. Strangely the cover of this cassette was the picture of the Ilegal aliens with the spanish sign 'Oficina de pasaportes' in the back. There you had those three songs, Pigeons, Match of the day and Inside and out, but this long version of Turn it on again with the medley, recorded from a Philadelphia show on Mama Tour. Now I saw it as a part of an other but new and massive official release. This version has its own details as a beginning nuanced with some keyboards motives and with Collins singing in a closer way to the original track than what he did in Three sides live (even when this version is the best ever to me). In addition the 'turn it on again' last phrase finishes with a sort of echo and not with the rocker shouting mode of TSL. The sound is high level.

Firth of fifth: The true reason for have this album. The relevant here is that this is the last version of this masterpiece in complete form played live and officially recorded. I met with this version before, when another female friend of mine show me and LP she was bought, the maxi of That's All. I remember a sort of beige cover. This version of Fifth of fifth has three relevant aspects. 1- The only complete official recording of the song with Daryl Stuermer on guitar, and I love his solos on Firth of fifth, with a heavier and rougher approach than Hackett, not better nor worst, just different. As a virtual friend of mine said once 'as Tony asked Hackett to play his music with the guitar, then he did the same with Daryl, giving him freedom to develop it'. 2- Tony Banks here use different equipment than in the previous versions, wath gives to the song another colours and sounds. 3- Collins was in the peak of his voice and he was giving to Genesis a heavier approach with sounded absolutely amazing. Old pieces like The lamb lies down on broadway, In the cage, Suppers Ready (Encore tour) and now Firth of fifth reveal this fact. The sound is top notch.

Being an odd compilation in which I can rate the first part of the list just for completionists, so one star, but the last two song (and specially the last one) with five stars, I guess that three stars for the pack is fair.

 That's All by GENESIS album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1983
2.91 | 43 ratings

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That's All
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

2 stars #54 Review

One of the two releases that differ between what it says here and in YouTube, while the information here says that the B-side is "Taking It All Too Hard", the one i have here has "Second Home By The Sea" instead.

1.- That's All: A pretty good pop track, really fun to play and sing, has some cool solo sections near the end and overall a great simple time. This version is the same as the album version.

2.- Second Home by the Sea: Would've been nice if it started without the sounds of the first section of Home by the Sea, this is exactly as it is on the album version of the digital album on YT, so its not that special. Still, its a weird choice to have this on its own, because this instrumental ends with vocals that just don't make sense on its own without the first section. Its cool that they added this music piece to accompany the pop single though.

With the release listed here and the one i listened to, i don't think this release is very special nowadays, it doesn't add anything to what the album already offers, even the cover looks bad, this is again another 2 star from me, but my next review will feature something interesting that i think everyone should hear because even i had no idea something like that existed, also the reason why i expect more from singles and B-sides.

 I Can't Dance by GENESIS album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1992
2.35 | 46 ratings

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I Can't Dance
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

2 stars #53 Review

This one does have many versions, and the one available in YT is the first one named here (the 7" single), this is the last one of the three (technically 4) singles on YT that fit with the descriptions on this page, my next 2 reviews will feature the ones that are different in the singles that they are supposedly to be, its weird.

1.- I Can't Dance: You know the deal here, everyone knows it, this and Invisible Touch are the most well known tracks, yet this has to be the simpler of the 2, it was the intention to keep it simple, it came from a simple idea and then added what was needed to complete a full song, you can't get more pop than that and it worked, i would say the extra touch is the dance step or rather, the no dance step, somehow still very in character with the band, more so what they are trying to say than the music made here.

2.- On The Shoreline: This is a good B-side, not a great one, not the best thing Genesis could've done, not the best thing for We Can't Dance, but certainly better than half that album, from that point of view, its a tragedy that they left this song out of the album. Its very interesting because years later, they are still discussing this, Mike was neutral, Tony wanted this on the album and Phil didn't. Ultimately, since they left one of Phil's songs out, they left this one out as well, that's what i can get from interviews really. Tony Banks has been critical of the inclussion of "Since I Lost You" and i agree, and also agree with him that "Hearts on Fire" is a terrible song and that this one "On The Shoreline" should've been on the album, and would've made the album better than what it finally released.

Ultimately, On The Shoreline is Good, and I Can't Dance is poor, from a collection stand point, i still believe this is worth it enough, it has a dedicated cover and different versions. I just can't see me giving this 3 stars unless it was "On The Shoreline" alone, even though this is essentially it, i just can't.

 Trespass by GENESIS album cover Studio Album, 1970
4.14 | 2587 ratings

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Trespass
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by Hector Enrique

4 stars Freed from the rock and pop parameters of the 60's that pigeonholed them in the debut "From Genesis to Revelation", Genesis, still without the lineup that composed their most representative works, gives free rein to the effervescent ideas that flowed in their still very young members, and they shape them in the stupendous "Trespass", the second album of the British band.

Peter Gabriel, in a decidedly leading role, guides the band with his unmistakable vocal timbre and histrionics to narrate stories and fables, as in the heartbroken "Looking for Someone" or in the sordid and epic wolf fight "White Mountain", and endows them with a unique dramatism, which is underpinned by musical structures built on the elegant arpeggios and guitar textures of Anthony Phillips and the excellence of Tony Banks on Hammond and Mellotron, as in the powerful and excellent "Stagnation", the dystopian story of the sole survivor on earth and the challenges of loneliness that comes with it.

But the best of "Trespass" comes towards the end, Genesis combines the bucolic and reflective atmospheres of the previous tracks, with sweeping and unexpected riffs from Phillips' unleashed electric guitar, with the whole band in sync, united to develop a remarkable instrumental wall in the extended and sharp "The Knife", a demonstration of their ability to navigate both calm waters and electrified storms.

Upon completion of the album's recording, Phillips, overcome by the demands of being part of Genesis and stage fright, leaves the band on good terms, and drummer John Mayhew is fired.

"Trespass" is not only an excellent work of the British, but it would become the first step of all the good things to come.

4 stars

 In Too Deep  by GENESIS album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1986
2.07 | 44 ratings

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In Too Deep
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

2 stars #52 Review Continuing with the YT available singles that are the same in there as described in here, its the turn of this single's 7" version, i have literally found nothing about the 12" version (or a 7 minute version of I'd Rather Be You) so i don't know what that's about.

1.- In Too Deep: Exactly the same as the album version, the closest you will get to a naked piano sound in this album, and what a weird track though, behind its ballad mask there are some pretty interesting decisions made by Tony Banks. The track has a nice progression into different sections, they don't feel extreme at first hear, but in more listens you will notice that the changes are there and constantly. I would rather listen to this one everyday than Throwing It All Away, but that's my opinion, that track is pretty too, is just that this one has the weird edge that wins for me.

2.- I'd Rather Be You: A fun B-side that sounds like a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive sonic song, maybe because the sound chip that the Sega Genesis uses is the exact same that many popular keyboards used in 80s, i haven't done my research but there's a chance that the keyboard used in the song has the same chip. Overall, its very repetitive, very pop, with just one cool change really, the bass is very classic 60s pop though, similar to a Phil Collins cover song called "You Can't Hurry Love", but with a Genesis twist, so its more layered and with the change already described. Of all repetitive pop b-side songs that Genesis did, this one is the least annoying and it doesn't overstay its welcome, it lasts as much as it needs.

Back then this was probably the only way to listen to this B-side officially, then it was the turn of the compilations, almost 14 years later, but now its online, so this is really just a collectors item, there is not much especial about this release, and also, i just read that in the UK this single came up with Do The Neurotic, wich is a fantastic track, but regardless, only collectors would want this nowadays, and even i don't care much because both songs are on Archive 2 that i own.

 Invisible Touch by GENESIS album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 1986
2.37 | 54 ratings

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Invisible Touch
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by FalconBleck

2 stars #51 Review

After a year and almost 2 months i'm back, no one cares. Anyways, decided to look up the singles uploaded on the official Genesis YT channel, i don't own any of these or the ones i have already reviewed so i can't comment on the physical stuff, but i can write about its 2 contents:

1.- Invisible Touch: Its an ok pop single, hard to believe the hate when this one is still a pretty weird piece that has just that instant edge over other 80s pop tracks, but its still pop, don't get me wrong. This version is a bit shorter but overall the same as the album one, and that continues for the next piece.

2.- The Last Domino: A section from this track inspired the creation of the previous one featured on this 7" vinyl, particularly Mike's riff before "Now you never did see..." starts. Anyways, i have listened to Domino so much lately, that i have been liking the first section more because of its "Keep It Dark" hypnotic qualities (the rythms overlap), but this one is also pretty complex, is just that it repeats sections to reach the end, wich is ok, but the entire track changes so much, and has many "keep moving" qualities that its hard to accept a complete reprise near the end.

Overall, i like this package, but its not really that special, even less special now on the digital age. This won't be the last single i review, i'm a bit tired of long reviews, yet Youtube features different singles than the ones listed here on progarchives, so stay tuned for that if you care, or just search for it, doesn't matter, singles are fine for collecting, but sometimes they have something extra, and those are more essential, but this one is just for completionists and fans.

 Three Sides Live by GENESIS album cover DVD/Video, 1982
3.14 | 93 ratings

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Three Sides Live
Genesis Symphonic Prog

Review by Magog2112

3 stars 'Three Sides Live' is a concert film featuring Genesis that was released after their live album of the same title. This DVD doesn't use all of the material that was included on the live album as it only contains footage from Genesis' 1981 Abacab Tour, as well as interviews, tour bus and backstage footage. If you want to read more about my thoughts on the live performances themselves, read my review of 'Three Sides Live,' the live album. In this review, I will mainly talk about the visuals and how it affects the music.

I like how there is a video of Mike Rutherford saying something along the lines of, "You're jamming and all of a sudden, there's a spark," which then explodes into "Duchess," which is one of my favorite Genesis songs. The lighting during "Dodo / Lurker" complements the dark music well. A radio show with Phil Collins leads into "Abacab." The video for this song showcases Mike Rutherford's guitar playing. After the song ends, the video transitions back to Collins at the radio show and he answers questions from fans calling in. He doesn't appear to be particularly enthusiastic to be there, which is understandable; touring is a grueling endeavor. No Reply at All isn't the same without the Earth, Wind and Fire horn section, though Daryl Stuermer does a good job of playing the horn parts on his guitar.

Then, there is a radio interview with Phil Collins, and the interviewer asks some really odd questions. I have a feeling she didn't know the music of Genesis well. This then leads into a live performance of "Who Dunnit?" which wasn't featured on the live album, and I understand why. Watching this song is like experiencing a fever dream, but it's actually quite funny. Phil Collins is wearing what looks like a scuba mask and sings into a microphone that is bent sideways. Mike Rutherford is playing on Collins' drum kit with Chester Thompson playing on his. You can't make this stuff up. I know many Genesis fans who claim that "Who Dunnit?" is the worst Genesis song, but I strongly disagree. It's very entertaining. The video for the "In the Cage" medley demonstrates visually the exceptional musicianship of each of the five members. The medley ends with the instrumental passage from "The Colony of Slippermen," which bleeds into "Afterglow." This is my favorite moment of the DVD. All the viewer can see is the silhouettes of the band members as they are consumed by dry ice, which makes the song even more majestic when seen in a live context. There is then an interview where the band essentially talk about how they have changed musically since 'Duke.' "Turn It On Again" is a fun song to end the DVD.

In conclusion, 'Three Sides Live' is a good, but non-essential DVD from Genesis. Musically, the DVD features mostly material from 'Duke' and 'Abacab.' If you like the early eighties period of the band, you will love this DVD. I wish that all of the interviews were used as extras rather than interspersed throughout the concert. I also was a bit disappointed by the song selection, but then again, I'm not the biggest 'Abacab' fan. 6/10

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to Lazland (w/ Quinino help) for the last updates

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