THE PLATINUM COLLECTION

The is probably the ultimate Genesis sampler, spanning their entire career (although From Genesis to Revelation is absent altogether). It goes album by album, backwards chronologically, giving a few tracks from each. It also includes the 1982 single "Paperlate" from 3x3, as well as the title track off the Ray Wilson-fronted album Calling All Stations. This is not a "best of" collection (and even if it were, record companies frequently have a slightly skewed notion of the phrase "best of" means). Several of the tracks were remixed by sound engineer and producer Nick Davis. The obvious benefit of this compilation is that third CD; for those unaware of or with limited knowledge of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, that third CD might just be the doorway needed to transport some fans of the popular music to the glory that was Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Conversely, it could also serve the early-Genesis fan by giving him a broad overview of what Genesis was up to after guitarist Steve Hackett left. My biggest complaint regarding this compilation is actually with the booklet, which, although being well-written (giving a brief history of the band), the pages were not assembled in the correct order, making it irritating to read.