GENESIS

"Genesis" is a compilation of Genesis and was released in 1981. This compilation comprises tracks which were originally released on four studio albums of Genesis. So, we have two tracks from their second studio album "Trespass", released in 1970, one track from their third studio album "Nursery Cryme", released in 1971, one track from their fourth studio album "Foxtrot", released in 1972 and two tracks from their sixth studio album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", released in 1974. Despite has a different name, it's the same compilation of Genesis released in the same year and with the name, "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", already reviewed by me on Progarchives. So, this review will not be too much very different from the previous one, since we are talking about the same compilation.

"Genesis" compilation has six tracks. The first track "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" is the title track song originally released on their sixth studio album with the same name, in 1974. It's the opener for that album and it's also one, if not my favorite track, on that entire album. Despite the album be a conceptual album, this track is very representative of the album as a whole. This track is one of the most accessible songs on that album and in the entire early Genesis' catalog. It has some great lyrics that really set the scene and gives a nice introduction to the story of the album. It became a landmark for Genesis. The second track "The Musical Box" is a song originally released on their third studio album "Nursery Cryme" in 1971. It's an epic track, which became as one of the most famous pieces of Genesis, acquiring the status of one of the band's symbols. Curiously, it includes an accredited writing contribution by their former member Anthony Phillips, because it begins with an instrumental piece written by him, when he was member of the group. The album's cover is also a depiction of the story of the song. The music begins calm, and grows in intensity until reach an explosion of energy. The third track "White Mountain" is a song originally released on their second studio album "Trespass" in 1970. This is a music piece based on acoustic guitar and complemented by great keyboard work. The song is a fable about a wolf who seeks to usurp the authority of their leader. It has a wonderful melodic tune, with sympathetic acoustic guitar, and choir like vocals to end. It's a very melodic and soft song influenced by the folk music. All this is framed by frantic chase music and the trademark interlocking, chiming 12 string guitar passages that old Genesis' fans love so much. The fourth track "The Carpet Crawlers" is also a song originally released on their sixth studio album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" in 1974. This is arguably the most beautiful song on that album and the most romantic too. The music for this song is very beautiful and very solid. It's smooth, relaxing and meaningful to the story of the album. The keyboard work of Banks is really incredible, as usual. I really also like the lyrics and the vocals on this track, alongside Banks' keyboard work and Hackett's gentle guitar lines. The song has also a great and fantastic melody. The fifth track "The Knife" is also a song originally released on their second studio album "Trespass" in 1970. This is the greatest highlight of that album. It quickly became the first classic track of Genesis. This is a composition unusually aggressive for the band and, in my humble opinion, it pronounces, in a certain way, the path the band would follow on their next albums. It's the most famous song on that album and it's also the heaviest track ever recorded by Genesis. This is a frantic, menacing song, which pounds along like an out of control express train. This is the great highlight of "Trespass". The sixth track "Watcher Of The Skies" is a song originally released on their fourth studio album "Foxtrot" in 1972. This is one of the most popular and beloved songs by their fans, and one of the most played live by the band. Even Hackett, plays often this song on his live shows. This is a great opener for "Foxtrot" which gives a sense of majesty and power, to the beginning of the album. It's a brilliant track, starting off with simple, yet harmonious keyboards. It kicks with a dramatic mellotron introduction being joined by bass and drums to lead into Gabriel's almost chanted vocals. This is an amazing track for all mellotron lovers, like me.

Conclusion: As I wrote above, "Genesis" compilation is precisely the same product that we can find on "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" compilation released precisely in the same year. As I wrote before on the conclusion of the other review, this is nothing more than one more compilation about the band and that it seems to me like more an attempt of their record label to make some more extra money for its profits. That is even more evident when we are talking about two equal compilations that only have different names and different covers. Apparently, it seams this was an Italian release. Still, I can't find a real reason for it has been done. However and as I also wrote, we aren't here to judge the intentions of their record label but the quality of this compilation. Anyway, this is a good compilation of Genesis that comprises six great progressive tracks of six great albums that belong to their golden musical era. Of course they don't bring anything new and so, it isn't an essential purchase. So, I think 3 stars is the right rating to it.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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