From Genesis To Revelation
by Genesis

If you're a die-hard Genesis fan, I would give this album a 3/10 for the historical value. If you're not, then this is an obvious avoid at all costs 1/10. I'm splitting the difference at 2. This is not an enjoyable listen- the songs meander without structure or intrigue. It's hard to imagine this fairly free form psychedelic rock would come from a band who penned roller coasters like The Musical Box and epics like Supper's Ready. Probably didn't help that the producer supposedly told them to tone down their prog tendencies and took out a lot of Banks' soloing.

I will say, I disagree with the track ratings. I think the best material here is for the most part on the second half- which is to say, I kind of enjoyed Window and Silent Sun. Everything else on here- even the Gabriel/Banks penned "Serpent"- is much less exciting that I had hoped.

From AndrewJFisher 08/18/2023 23:03 | #298692

Apparently producer Jonathan King, who had come up with the name Genesis, wanted their first album to be a concept album summarizing the Bible, Old and New Testaments or least he thought that would be a good starting point when the band wasn't sure what kind of album to make. The album does just about start alongside the Bible i.e track 2:"In the Beginning", but it seems they gradually abandoned the concept after "Fireside Song", "The Serpent" and "The Conqueror" as most of the songs are in a theme of isolation and dissatisfaction with the system of life their peers have settled into, this continues on from "That's Me" the b-side of their first record "The Silent Sun". Of course "The Silent Sun" was added to the album also.

From Jboy56 02/28/2023 13:07 | #294545

This album has got already some of the groundwork for their future music accomplishments. A very listeneable ,
From Genesis to Revelation is not without its flaws.
The album's production quality is not up to par with later Genesis releases, and some of the songs may come across as a bit simplistic and naive compared to the band's later work. Nevertheless, this album is a fascinating look into the early days of one of the most influential and enduring bands in progressive rock history.

Overall, From Genesis to Revelation is a charming and intriguing debut album that showcases the early potential of Genesis. While it may not be their most groundbreaking work, it is a must-listen for fans of the band and of progressive rock in general.

Genesis's first album, and it is very rough, sounding almost nothing like the prog monster that came a year later. Fortunately they got much better!

A deficient album. The production is not good, and it's barely memorable, but the songs have potential and are sometimes mildly enjoyable.

Genesis' debut album will sound familiar to anyone listening to pop music in and around 1969. I'm sure my father had it - certainly I listened to it a few times around the turn of the decade and found it acceptable, and one track, "In The Beginning" - was on the sampler album Wowie Zowie! World of Progessive Music, which either I had or my dad did. From Genesis... is pop music of a style sometimes referred to as baroque or psychedelic. Albums from a range of artists in a similar style include Forever Changes (1967), Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo (1968), Shine On Brightly (1968), The Book of Taliesyn (1968), The Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968), Nazz (1968), Head (1968), The Soft Machine (1968), Odessey and Oracle (1968), and Wee Tam and the Big Huge (1968). A particular influence on the album, through the insistence of the band's manager and producer, Jonathan King, was the Bee Gees, whose Ideas album came out in 1968, and Odessa album in March 1969, the same month as From Genesis.... Also a considered influence on the band was the Moody Blues whose In Search of the Lost Chord came out in July 1968.

Compared with some of those albums the Genesis debut may appear a little light and whimsical, though it has a naïve charm which carries it along and makes it listenable enough. It's not a great album, it's not an interesting album, and it doesn't sound like the debut of a group who would go on to become one of the world's most popular, but I quite like it. Most other commentators are fairly dismissive.

A solid first outing from Genesis. It leans heavily on elements of folk and baroque pop, very rarely, if it all, foraying into the progressive rock that would define them, but it's not bad at all. Some moments, such as the opener Where the Sour Turns to Sweet and the underrated The Serpent, are quite enjoyable. Lots of Christian/biblical imagery, but it never becomes overbearing. It's worth giving a listen or two, especially if you're a Genesis fan.

From teague 03/20/2019 17:19 | #233789

Obviously not their best, but definitely not their worst.

From luigybetis 10/17/2018 18:22 | #222680

Much better than I expected. 8/10.

Very underrated. It's not as good as some of their other records, but it's still a good debut.