FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

This recording has been much maligned for quite some time, perhaps unfairly. This is the material of a very young and naive band who had yet to find their true voice under the thumb of producer Jonathan King. The material was written at a time when progressive rock was in its embryonic stages and the recording is not progressive rock, but rather typical late 1960s British pop not unlike what many other British bands were doing at the time. The music is NOT progressive, and, as a result, there are no lengthy expositions of keyboards or guitars, profound musical ideas or concepts. The melodies are simple and the musical accompaniments are relatively sparse. This recording is of interest primarily to those with a keen interest in the history of Genesis, in the history of rock music and those who enjoy more accessible 'pop' music. This does not mean that the record is bad. It is neither atrocious nor stellar. But, it is mediocre. On the basis of its merits of its overall importance in the development of popular music, in its relevance to the genre of progressive rock and in its overall impact stylistically, it can hardly be viewed as more than a two star recording even by diehard Genesis fans who are truly willing to give this recording an honest appraisal.