THE SILENT SUN / THAT'S ME

Genesis`first single, released in February 1968.

The songs of this and their next single ("A Winter`s Tale"/ One-Eyed Hound") were released for the first time in a L.P called "Rock Roots: Genesis" (Decca Records ROOTS 1), in the same Mono versions s when they were released as singles. As I have this L.P., which I bought in late 1981, I can write reviews about them.

"The Silent Sun", which also appeared in the "From Genesis to Revelation" album in the Mono and Stereo versions, is a very good song, a ballad with acoustic guitars and piano, with a very good orchestral arrangement done by Arthur Greenslade. I still think that there are some differences with the album version, at least in the duration of the song (2:15 minutes the single version, 2:07 minutes the album version). Some people say that both are the same version with Chris Stewart on drums, but I still think that they are different, not only in the mixing. Maybe the single version is a bit slow than the album version, but the version included in the Stereo version of the L.P. is better due to the Stereo mix, which adds some "atmosphere" to the song.

"That`s Me" is, IMO, a very representative example of a song written by teenagers, still looking for an "adult identity", and maybe, for a "band identity". It has a lead guitar well played by Anthony Phillips, plus acoustic guitar and piano. Drummer Chris Stewart was good too.

This was a good single, which, maybe with more adecuate publicity and promotion, could have been successful. Unfortunately, their producer, IMO, didn`t have then enough vision to promote the band better.

Both songs are obviously not very "Progressive" in style, as the style of the band was still in development.

"The Silent Sun" is one of the lamest tracks on the Genesis debut, pure pop drivel with heavy strings adding nothing but cheesiness. Sounding like a Spinal Tap "Flower People" parody the track offers up the most sappy, pleading "baby baby" chorus. Flip side "That's Me" certainly doesn't save it although it does rock a bit more and features a nice, sloppy little guitar solo and a certain Stones inspired coolness. Completely forgettable material for completists only, unless you can hear it as bonus tracks on some "Revelation" CD issues. The debut album has plenty of period charm but virtually none was apparent on this single.

Contrary to many people here on PA, I do love Genesis first album. Even more so when I found out they had never played live as a group before (and very little otherwise too). They were special from the very beginning. The Silent Sun was their first single. Legend has it that they wrote this song to please their producer Jonathan King, who was a fan of the Bee Gees, hence the similarities of this track with the Gibb brothers stuff (King denies such story). Whatever the truth, Silent Sun does remind a lot of Bee Gees early stuff, and it is a nice ballad, a good start for such new and inexperienced guys: fine piano intro, good melody line, typical string arrangement of the time. Nothing spectacular, but good for starters.

The thing that surprised me the most on this one was its flip side, That´s Me. Gabriel sings surprisingly confident and makes a dramatic deliver hat gives us a glimpse of his enormous talent. The track itself is also an example of what was very common at the late 60´s, but again they showed competence and guts. I specially liked the short electric guitar solo (Anthony Phillips or a studio guitar player? It does not sound like him). A nice find.

All in all not a bad single for those youngsters. It´s very good to hear their humble beginnings. Who could tell then they would go so far? But it´s easy to perceive they were talented and only had to mature both their musical and songwriting skills. Thank God they did!