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Genesis is something of an ugly duckling to rock 'n' roll's more well-regarded swans. It's the sort of band that some reflexively sneer at, while others feel the need to defensively explain their appreciation. I'm squarely in the second camp. I wasn't old enough (or British enough) to be around when they first broke, so my introduction was through my mom's well-worn copy of their live album Seconds Out (which is, incidentally, one of the finest live recordings just about ever). I was utterly awestruck when those first notes from Tony Banks' Moog hit my tender ears. Their music was engaging on just about every possible level, notably the technical, the melodic and the cerebral.
Most people born after 1985's knowledge of Genesis only extends as far as American Psycho, and that's unfortunate, because it's one of the greatest bands in rock history. But fate may yet smile on them with news that they're contenders for a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor they more than deserve.
Genesis was the first band to give non-blues rock a wide appeal with its uniquely and peculiarly British take on narrative and melody. The band was conceived in Surrey, England at the Charterhouse school, and frontman Peter Gabriel went on to gather an ensemble that operated with Voltron-like precision. Gabriel (vocals), Phil Collins (drums), Tony Banks (keyboard), Mike Rutherford (bass) and Steve Hackett (guitar) were all masters of their craft. Each member shared in songrwriting duties, a workmanlike approach that was doubly reflected in rich musical narratives and genre-fusions.
They didn't invent progressive rock (King Crimson officially broke that ground in 1969 with In the Court of the Crimson King), but they did it better than anyone who came before or followed. The early to mid 1970s saw Genesis release a raft of weird and wonderful prog masterpieces: the dark and melodic Trespass and Nursery Cryme, their fiery breakout Foxtrot, the whimsical and tuneful Selling England By the Pound, and Gabriel's magnum opus The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
Each of these albums were wholly unique beasts, bringing an appreciation for mythology, history and literature to a genre that was more about copulation than contemplation. Their wild disregard for traditional song structure and melody were impossible to ignore in the mostly-homogenous musical landscape of the time; could bands really make music like this, and succeed?
Unfortunately, artistic tension led to Gabriel's departure just as the band was beginning to blow up, but Genesis soldiered on with Collins assuming the frontman slot. After a run of three understated but no less solid rock albums, they released Duke in 1980, a near-flawless synthesis of their prog flair with a newly-discovered synth-pop aesthetic. It proved to be a clear bellwether for the musical styles of the decade to come, and a template for the Collins-Banks-Rutherford formation that transformed them into an arena-rocking superstar act.
Opinions on Genesis' massive discography are as diverse as the number of tempo changes in "Supper's Ready." Some refuse to listen to any of the band's post-Gabriel work, some mark their departure as fans around Duke or Abacab, and others enjoy (or even prefer) the unabashed pop they released in the '80s and early '90s. One thing we can all agree on: Ray Wilson sucks hard.
There's no denying either that Genesis' founding members went on to release some inspired and genre-defining solo material. Peter Gabriel parlayed his ear for instrumentation into some art-rock standards, afro-pop anthems and pop masterpieces, and gave us the soundtrack to one of the best moments in any romantic comedy. Mike Rutherford's Smallcreep's Day was a solid electro-epic, and Steve Hackett's 1975 solo debut Voyage of the Acolyte did one better on the prog sensibilities Genesis jettisoned with Gabriel's departure.
And Phil Collins, the bête noire of "serious" music fans, redefined the pop landscape of the 1980s, bringing gated drum reverb and a host of synthesizer techniques into the mainstream. Yeah, he's done the occasional shill for Disney, but for every questionable artistic decision or divorce notice sent via fax, he's done something awesome like collaborating with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. And he's still one of the most underrated drummers of all time.
So, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ball is in your court now. Forget the fox masks, the stage theatrics and Phil Collins' movie career, and give Genesis their due. Underneath all that weirdness is one of the most important and influential acts of the last four decades.
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This halloween, my band is going at "Phil Collinsssss" -- where all of us are dressing up like Phil, complete with bald wigs and hair floops, and playing a set of his Genesis and solo tunes. I was a Gabriel guy before this project. I'm still a Gabriel guy -- but now I'm equally a Phil guy. When you break it down and learn it, you realize that guy has written some really amazing songs. Good luck with the Rock Hall!
The Lights Out
Boston, MA
http://www.thelightsout.com
Ok, I'm a total Genesis newbie. I've been wanitng to check out Genesis, but I'm not sure where to start.
What albums are the best to get if you're a total Genesis noob?
I've been confused about the HoF's choices for some time, but if anybody doubts Genesis' ability to rock, listen to "Genesis Live". Barely scratching the surface of Gabriel's later rhythmic passion, that is prog rock at its best.
http://vinylart.blogspot.com/2009/04/lost-and-found.html
Peace,
@vinylart
Super article, a well-written tribute to a great, great band. Seconds Out is a great place to start if you haven't experienced the band before. Listen is to passive a word to use when it comes to Genesis.
@ Ethan Williams: It really depends on what kind of music you like. 'Trick Of The Tail' from 1976 Is a very solid album it's the first album after Peter Gabriel's departure. 'Duke' has a very good mix of prog and pop. 'Foxtrot' is also an excellent prog album with Peter Gabriel the key tracks are 'Supper's Ready', and 'Watcher Of The Skies'. If you're more into pop the album 'Invisible Touch' is full of chart toppers along with 'Domino' which is a rocking longer song.
@ Michael Sabba: Thanks for writing a great article about Genesis there aren't enough of these around. Genesis should get in the HoF for backing the developement of and the first group to tour with Vari*lights.
Check out Tony Banks' solo work too. He's going to be reissuing his solo album A Curious Feeling 19 October 2009 in a brand new digital 5.1 remix. You can preorder it through Esoteric Records' website: http://cherryred.co.uk/esoteric/artists/tonybanks.htm
They stole my heart in 1976 and continue to do so today. The first notes of Squonk will hook anyone. This band has been so totally underrated and it's about time they get their due. I love all kinds of music and many groups but this band remains my A#1. I still FEEL their music today and it's a fresh as the day I heard their first notes. No matter how many times I listen to each of their albums, I never tire of them. Good luck to you Genesis. You so deserve this.
Thanks for writing such a good article about them Michael Saba. You have great taste in music.
Noob?
Start with "Seconds Out" and "The Lamb" and branch out from there.
Don't forget bands like Brand X, with Phil on drums. Quite good in those days!
In agreement with dmax on "Seconds Out" - "The Lamb" is a little bit denser going and really needs to be listened to in one sitting to get the full impact. "Seconds" is a great career overview of Genesis up to Steve Hackett's departure.
I really hope the Rock Hall happens for them, but it'll still stick in my craw that they made it before King Crimson, who started the whole Mellotron circus. Kind of like if Kiss makes it in before Alice Cooper.
I was fortunate to see Genesis live in 1992 in Madison, Wisconsin. I had only one Genesis CD, We Can't Dance. After the concert, I started buying the CD of songs that were played at the concert, which included songs from many of their old albums. Seventeen years later, I have all of their work, most of their remastered CD's (I will have them all), and have listened to nothing else since that concert. I saw them again in 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Genesis is without a doubt the greatest rock group ever and should be recongnized appropriately by the Hall of Fame. Their music is special in a way that is difficult to describe. I listen to them everyday. Genesis is my son's favorite band as well (he is 27 years old). If you love music and are willing to really listen to their songs, you will receive the greatest gift. They are fabulous writers and the best live band ever. Seventeen years later I still get goosebumps when I hear Cinema Show, The Lamia, and really any and all of their music.
Article was doing okay for a relatively new Genesis fan until you had to blow it with personal abuse toward a former band member. Why does he suck? If you don't like what he did in the band then at least be mature enough to articulate this with reasoned arguement. I've seen every major line-up of Genesis live and his stint was by no means the worst show I went to.
Try checking out his post-Genesis solo work. You might learn that's it's better to check your facts before blowing off!
As a long-time Genesis fan, I also really liked the Ray Wilson-fronted album Calling All Stations, which has more of the unique Genesis trademarks than a lot of Invisible Touch. With that minor difference of opinion, I really appreciated your article. It is about time that this band got its due for making the most intelligent, original, inventive and groundbreaking compositions in the rock music format. Most pop songs by other artists are over before Tony Banks' keyboards are still introducing a typical Genesis track!
"Ray Wilson sucks hard." Really? I thought he did a fine job. I believe he was working with what Banks/Rutherford had already started. If you don't like "Stations", maybe your issue is with the writers...
I agree that Genesis should be considered for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. I also think that certainly from within the band, the solo careers of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins have had more dominance as mainstayers of music than the band Genesis. Take for example Peter Gabriel's great classic album "SO" that was released in 1986, not one Genesis album from the 1980's or 1990's can even be compared to "SO". For me Peter should be inducted long before Genesis. As for the remark about Genesis being the greatest band ever in rock history. Not by a long shot, clearly bands like the Beatles, Stones, The Who, Queen and U2 are far superior and outshine Genesis any day of the week.
I love Genesis, especially the Gabriel era, but there is no way they should bi in the Hall of Fame before YES or King Crimson, both of which were much more important bands.