FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

I understand it's hard to take this early sound of Genesis, in contrast to later perfect albums in early 70s. But being this released by some one-shot band, ratings would be higher I suppose. For me, it's easy. I evaluate these songs as 1969 proto-prog band. Maybe not completely, but at least to some extent, this should be applied. Because take for example their "Nursery Crime". Considered by most as very good album, but worse than "Foxtrot". But if you'll think about Nursery without thinking about Foxtrot, you're possible to get 5-star album. It's hard and I'll try to fight with it.

This is not so strong as their later albums, it's (after all) their debut. Acoustic guitars mostly, use of strings, half prog folk and half early symphonic prog. Not like their future albums at all. But far better (for me) than their 80's work. Songs are quite short, but nevertheless, they're consistent and long enough to be interesting.

It's not a bad album. But even when you leave your mind used to epics Foxtrot and Selling and compare it independently with other prog folk releases of late 60's you know, still, the result is not so great. The problem here is annoying repeating here ("We're waiting for you. Come and join us now. We need you with us. Come and join us now!" over and over again). And it's not problem of just this song, it's ever-present. Symphonic elements are nice, but more like solid background to tender music (hey, we're talking about Genesis, right?). So if you want acoustic Genesis without Genesis, that's a choice for you. You know, it's hard to depart from you were taught all your life (I suppose that's true for most of you, readers). Piano, acoustic guitar, sometimes always chamber-like a capella voice of Peter Gabriel (reminiscent of what will come later).

3(+), rating worse would be illogical hatred of "different" things.