FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

Anyone who sees this review will think I'm being way too generous with 5 stars, but the truth is I really do love it! "Trespass" (Genesis' next offering) is my all-time favourite album - it has a very live and rough quality with some great progressive folky themes, and I think all that "From Genesis To Revelation" is missing is the strong progressive feel. I suppose that this 2-album era really clicks with me, for some reason. It feels much more youthful and immature (in a good way) than something like "Nursery Cryme" from the classic era. For most other bands, it would probably be my favourite album released by them, but Genesis set the bar very high, so only about my 6th favourite Genesis release.

I love Anthony Phillip's guitar on this album, especially in songs such as "Am I Very Wrong?", where he holds onto a chord and just changes the bass note (as heard later on his solo albums). Tony Banks does some pretty basic but effective piano playing throughout (e.g. "Where The Sour Turns To Sweet" and "A Place To Call My Own"), with a great sort of muffled sound. Gabriel's vocals are a little inconsistent in places (for example, "Window" and "One Day" are more weak than quiet), but when it's good, it's excellent! On the other hand, the drumming by John Silver is pretty basic overall, although there are some nice surprises. Then the orchestration...

Most people are put off by Jon King's added orchestration (rightly so). The first 3 tracks have some of the worst strings on the album, but it gets better (sort of). Songs like "A Place To Call My Own" and one of my favourites of all-time "In The Wilderness" work very well. I do think that the orchestration ruins "In Limbo" however, coming in way too loudly in the intro (over the piano). Another "grey area" for me, is some of the backing vocals. Over time, I have grown to like them, but I think the others should have some singing lessons or something...

Of course, these are just the things I don't like on the album. Most of the songs are brilliant in my opinion, it has a nice concept of the Bible throughout but doesn't keep too strongly to it, - an advantage for me as it would become too laboured/serious for me - and quite a mysterious atmosphere paired with the cover and inside doodles outlining each song. Anyone thinking it's just a black cover is wrong, even that subtle gothic typeface in the top corner gives it a different impression to albums like "Godbluff" or "Metallica". Gabriel has some great lyrics and melodies in here, and quite adventurous for a debut from some teenage private school boys!

A+ (A- as a prog rock album): Don't get me wrong, I think I'm in love...

Where The Sour Turns To Sweet: ***** In The Beginning: ***** Fireside Song: **** The Serpent: ***** Am I Very Wrong?: ***** In The Wilderness: ****** (yes, 6 stars :P) The Conqueror: ***** In Hiding: ***** One Day: ***** Window: **** In Limbo: **** The Silent Sun: **** A Place To Call My Own: *****