Genesis

Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

From joshtheprogger 03/19/2010 21:29 | #9947

With Peter Gabriel as frontman, they are easily my favorite band of all time. Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway are essential albums to anyone who is even mildly interested in Progressive Rock's collection. When Gabriel left, they lost some of their magic, but were still a great band on the next two albums. When Steve Hackett left, though, it all went downhill from there.

"The shift in this band's sound from "progressive" to pop was actually not nearly as dramatic as it's been made out to be, particularly if one listens to their albums in chronological order. There was always an adult pop band lurking within Genesis during their prog years. What made songs like "Watcher of the Skies" and "Firth of Fifth" work so wonderfully wasn't their complex rhythmic shifts (although it's easy to overlook just what a fine drummer Phil Collins was and is). It was the keyboard hooks that the vastly underrated Tony Banks laid on top of the rock-solid melodies, with Steve Hackett's guitar solos possessing a hymn-like quality quite unlike anyone else. The band was also blessed to have had two of rock's more memorable front men: the theatrical, vocally dark-shaded Peter Gabriel, and the soulful, Everyman-ish Collins. Fans of only one era or the other are doing themselves, and the band members, a disservice by not recognizing the depth and variety of the music contained in both eras."

Genesis, one of the true art rockers of all time. Each of their records are full of well styled melodies, beautifuly arranged, with evolving lyrics. Their frontmen, both peter gabriel and phil collins can be envied from every poin of you, but mostly because of their charisma and ability to lead the band far away from boredom. The lamb lies down on broadway, as a stage act is among the best concept albums of all time.

From AAL2014 TOP 100 COMMENTER 04/10/2015 18:27 | #139279

It has been stated many times in this thread of comments, but Genesis with the visionary Peter Gabriel fronting the band, could be considered the greatest prog rock band of all time. Their output of consecutive albums, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England, and the Lamb are all creative and wonderful progressive strokes of genius. Though as much as people like to talk about those albums being great because of Gabriel, while they are right, they often neglect to acknowledge the great ensemble of Banks, Hackett, Rutherford, and Collins. Their playing is so experimental, meaningful, and fun on each of those albums.

Their live performances from 1972-1974 are now the stuff of legend. Gabriel led the band with theatrics and makeup and costumes that at the time were outlandish and frowned upon by his own bandmates, but now, looking back, he influenced each generation after him with those theatrics.

Post Gabriel, like for many, is the path less taken for me. I praise the band for what they were able to accomplish commercially while still having a great sense of musicality. Songs like Mama, Abacab, Turn it on Again, Land of Confusion, That's All, and Follow You Follow Me are all very well written, enjoyable songs.

For the Gabriel era I would give at least a 90/100, but the inconsistency of the mainstream years brings the overall score down a bit. Genesis is still one of the greatest rock artists of all time.