Search - Genesis :: From Genesis to Revelation

An early turning point...

ewomack | MN USA | 12/29/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Probably the most important aspect of this album is the crucial turning point it represented for the band: after this album they took themselves seriously as career musicians and gained hordes of confidence to go on recording and become the band Genesis. They could have been doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc., but the producer of this album (according to one of the interviews included on disc 2) encouraged the band (who also gained their name during these sessions) to continue on in the music business.This album clearly lacks the "umph" of later Genesis recordings. It's by no means terrible, but it's so different from other albums the group went on to record that it's hard to compare it to anything else in their catalog. It sounds like a late 60s/early 70s recording. Deep reverb and walls of strings right out of the era decorate the songs. Gabriel's singing is much less confident here than on the follow-up "Trespass" where he's more or less found his voice. On "From Genesis to Revelation" he sounds frightened at times, or at the very least weak (the liner notes reveal that he was incredibly nervous and supposedly had to take a cold shower before recording to calm his nerves). The musicianship is also lackluster compared to subsequent recordings (much of it is hidden by the sometimes boisterous strings), which may explain the band's changing members over the next few years.There are some very good songs on this album. They have a different energy than other Genesis recordings, but they still have energy. The producer, whom they never worked with again supposedly by choice of the producer, obviously had a vision in mind for this album: pop hits. The longest song is 4:38, the shortest one 1:59. The music is not incredibly challenging overall, but it's a great effort for a group of guys in their late teens who weren't yet sure if they wanted to be musicians.The 2 disc set of this album includes over 20 minutes of an interview with the producer, Jonathan King. He mostly talks about himself, how "ahead of his time" he always is, and even has the gall to take credit for an aspect of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper concept. He's obviously concerned about his legacy. The interviews finally become interesting when he talks about Genesis, about the differences between Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel, and about the recording of "From Genesis to Revelation." The interviews in general could have been dramatically shortened.Genesis fans will doubtless love this album for what it is and stands for. The population in general will probably be less enthusiastic. It sold poorly when first released, and disappeared into the rare bins after Genesis signed with Chrysalis. It does not stand up to subsequent Genesis recordings, but it remains a fascinating document of the origins of a great band."

Early, different, but great nonetheless

skankersore | Texas | 11/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, considering what style Genesis had starting from the album "Invisible Touch", I don't think there is any room for criticism of this early work. This was one of the albums I got in 1983 after their self-titled album garnished the airwaves with songs like "That's all". I was blown away with how much this band had changed. I love the religious tone of the lyrics and it's heavy folk-orchestral background. Genesis may have gotten more progressive, but the classical influence remained in the latter albums, even if the echoed orchestra wasn't there.



Another thing, I actually like Gabriel's voice better here. So, he was between age 17-19 when the sessions were going on, and hadn't quite finished puberty, but I've always found his mature voice difficult to listen to unless he's doing his usual "vocal experiments". He's actually carrying soft folk tunes fluently with a sustained voice, something he would struggle to do today.



If you don't like Chad & Jeremy, the old BeeGees, and the old Moody Blues, then you won't like this album. It will sound dated to you. But if you appreciate good music of any genre, then you may want to add this to your collection."