Genesis Albums - Ranked
by emptysquares 
Having listened to Genesis for an embarrassingly long time, their music has been in and (mostly) out of fashion. I have always preferred their earlier material as I think it possessed a unique quality - even in the "70s progressive" era when everyone was trying to sound different.
Some of the later pop stuff was okay but as you will see from this list, it held less appeal for me - not because I don't like commercial music but I too often just found Genesis from this period rather bland and dull.
This list only contains the studio albums as in general I am no fan of live albums - but having said that anyone discovering Genesis should check out "Seconds Out" where many tracks manage to improve upon the studio versions – very sadly, a far cry from their 2021 performances.
- Chart updated: 02/12/2026 18:15
- (Created: 10/26/2019 22:26).
- Chart size: 15 albums.
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It's not perfect, but fantastic lyricism and imagery from Gabriel combined with a half-decent production ensure this makes no.1 on my list. On Side 1 the story-telling, instrumentation and arrangement are pretty much perfect. As we progress through the remaining 3 sides things occasionally lose a little momentum, but there are so many highlights (Back in NYC; Carpet Crawlers; Lamia; Slippermen; Riding the Scree) it's never dull for long. Following Gabriels abrupt departure, the band understandably distanced themselves from this material as they strived to establish an identity without him and this became something of a forgotten masterpiece. But overall, ‘The Lamb….’ remains an impressive achievement and is a highlight not just of the career of Genesis, but of the 70's Progressive Rock era.
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,433
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The three long-form tracks on ‘Nursery Cryme’ (‘Musical Box’, ‘Return of the Giant Hogweed’ and ‘Fountain of Salmacis’) were very much the ‘main events’ here and showcased the bands impressive and fast-developing song-writing capabilities. The two new members both made strong contributions as Hackett demonstrated an early example of pre-Van Halen guitar tapping on "The Giant Hogweed" whilst Collins’ drums added some much-needed energy to proceedings. The remaining tracks (including an unspectacular vocal debut on ‘For Absent Friends’ from Collins) sound very much ‘of their time’ and should probably be filed under ‘non-essential’ – but at the time, ‘Nursery Cryme’ was a big leap forward from its predecessor ‘Trespass’ and prepared the ground for what was about to come.
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,427
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If in the future Genesis are remembered for one track, I sincerely hope that it is "Suppers Ready" from this album (rather than say "Invisible Touch" or "Follow you, follow me"). The 23 minute epic was a ground-breaker at the time combining Gabriel's lyricism with some real musical invention from the others - I've never heard anything quite like it since. The rest of the album is okay but not on the same level as "Suppers Ready", although "Watcher of the Skies" is strong with some fine keyboard work from Tony Banks.
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,979
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Prior to recording, Phil Collins left the band - only to be replaced by another Phil Collins with a much stronger voice and new song writing skills. Half the songs on ‘Duke’ were written collaboratively in the studio and these all turned out great as Collins’ new-found passion rubbed off on the others and producer David Hentschel finally managed to deliver a half-decent drum sound. Sadly, for me ‘Duke’ is somewhat compromised by the inclusion of four mediocre and dreary offerings from Banks and Rutherford, who having just completed their respective solo efforts were scraping the very bottom of their respective song writing barrels in an effort to fill the album (..and boost their credits?). Nonetheless, still a good album (but could of been better).
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,777
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Many rate this as their best from this (or any) period. But whilst it certainly possesses a charming English pastoral vibe, I am always frustrated by the production which managed to bury some great drumming work from Phil Collins (I prefer the live versions of 'Cinema Show' and 'Firth of Fifth' on 'Seconds Out'). Also, 'The Battle of Epping Forest' just doesn't really do it for me, 'After the Ordeal' is a tiny bit boring...… and even the majestic 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight' does fizzle out towards the end. Please don't judge me too harshly.
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&f:Gabriel; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford; d&v:Collins [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,461
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I don’t know if it’s the autumnal cover art, but I always think this album has a ‘cold winds of change’ feel to it – and certainly this is the last Genesis album that could be labelled ‘full bodied Prog’. Guitarist Steve Hackett's last outing with Genesis and the music perfectly suited his understated but intricate playing style. The only song I never really took to was Tony Banks' closer "Afterglow" which sounds to me like a straight steal of Judy Garlands "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas"- but it did become a live-show regular for many years, so someone must like it! Finally, a quick mention for the excellent 3-track ‘Spot the Pigeon’ EP (recorded at the same time) which I always tag onto the end when listening to W&W.
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,324
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The first album following the departure of Peter Gabriel so all eyes were on Collins - would his voice be up to it? With hindsight we know that there was never going to be a problem, although things did sound a little different as ‘A Trick of the Tail’ had a more gentle acoustic feel, at times reminiscent of 1970s Trespass album. Collins played things pretty safe, although he did call on his "artful dodger" theatrical experience on "Robbery, Assault and Battery" which helped paper over the Gabriel shaped hole. Overall, ‘A Trick of the Tail’ was warmly received by both fans and critics and to the huge relief of all involved, it quickly became their biggest seller at that time.
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g:Hackett; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,790
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From the outset, the title-track on ‘Abacab’ had a more hard-edged, almost stripped-down sound driven by Collins' live sounding kit courtesy of producer Hugh Padgham. Also noticeable was that an extended instrumental passage in the second half of the song has an "improvised" feel rather than the usual intricate Genesis compositional style. At the time, this was a big change for the band – and it became a hit single. Other high-points were "Dodo / Lurker" and Banks' "Me and Sarah Jane", although the latter was a more traditional Genesis style. For all that, overall ‘Abacab’ was something of a mixed bag, but I've awarded a few extra points as least the old dog tried to learn a few new tricks.
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
765
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The first Genesis album that sounds like a Genesis album had a LOT of gentle intertwining acoustics guitars and soft Gabriel vocalising - not all of it particularly memorable as some songs amble pleasantly without ever coalescing into anything substantial. "Looking for Someone" is a pleasing opener and "Stagnation" slowly builds, almost sounding like a "proto-Musical Box". Standout song is undoubtedly "The Knife" where at last Gabriel sounds fully engaged and Banks' driving Hammond organ finally comes to the fore, then around the 6-minute mark we get a most un-Genesis like (but not unpleasant) guitar solo from Anthony Phillips, giving a hint of what may have been if only anxiety & stage fright hadn't got the better of him.
v&f:Gabriel; k&g:Banks; g:Phillips; g&b:Rutherford; d:Mayhew [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
v&f:Gabriel; k&g:Banks; g:Phillips; g&b:Rutherford; d:Mayhew [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,221
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The bands’ reaction to the decision of guitarist Steve Hackett to exit was supposedly little more than a shrug of the shoulders. But arguably, his departure changed the bands direction at least as much Gabriel’s exit as it meant that those who prioritised simplicity and melody over originality and invention (Collins & Rutherford) now held the majority vote. But although the songs on ‘…And Then There Were Three’ were more concise than before, they lacked the commercial hooks that Genesis would soon become adept at creating. Instead, this sounds like prog – but without any extended instrumental passages, solos or anything unexpected. And it’s a bit dull. The exception was 'Follow You, Follow Me' which was a fully fledged hooky pop tune.
Genesis was dead...long live Genesis!
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Genesis was dead...long live Genesis!
v&d:Collins; k:Banks; g&b:Rutherford [First added to this chart: 10/27/2019]
Year of Release:
1978
Appears in:
Rank Score:
743
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Total albums: 15. Page 1 of 2
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Genesis Albums - Ranked composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 1 | 7% | |
| 1970s | 8 | 53% | |
| 1980s | 4 | 27% | |
| 1990s | 2 | 13% | |
| 2000s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Genesis | 15 | 100% |
Genesis Albums - Ranked chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
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| Down 3 from 8th to 11thFrom Genesis To Revelation by Genesis |
Genesis Albums - Ranked similar charts
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| Genesis |  discojets1 | Custom chart | 2020 | |
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| Top 12 Music Albums of 1976 |  Lachapelle | 1976 year chart | 2019 |  |
Genesis Albums - Ranked similarity to your chart(s)
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Genesis Albums - Ranked ratings
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| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27/2021 13:06 |  Goliath | 350 | 86/100 |
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