FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

Their first album sounds a lot different from the lengthy thundering epics Genesis would produce as early as their second album (Trespass). Here the songs are shorter and structured more like (then-) mainstream radio tunes. Genesis made this album when they were very young (just after writing their 'A' levels!) without having ever toured, often coming up with the songs in the studio. Their chops are not yet developed, and the songs are not in any way complex. However, they have a charm to them. Gabriel and Anthony Phillips are the members who stand out the most on this recording, as the main singers, guitar players (many of the songs are structured around acoustic guitars) and songwriters, although Rutherford and Banks also helped compose some of the tunes. I actually think this album is more successful (on its own terms) than Trespass. Even though that second album is a lot more ambitious, with more complex progressive compositions, there are also a number of sections on that album which are just not sufficiently musical. But on "Revelation" every song is quite pleasant and listenable, even if some of the songs are somewhat forgettable. But there are also a number of very memorable songs. I think the opener, "Where the Sour Turns to Sweet" is a fantastic song. It has so much potential as a song - I still come back to this song often. But the rest of the album contains a lot of great songs too, including "In the beginning", "Am I very wrong?", "Silent Sun", and the wonderful closer, "A Place to Call my Own". The album in imbued with a great vibe. It is not four-star material, though, but one can hear the song-writing talent bubbling under the surface here. I give this album 6.8 out of 10 on my 10-point scale, which is the same I give to Trespass, placing this in the mid 3 PA stars realm.

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