SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GENESIS – FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

GENESIS
FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION
ESOTERIC RECORDINGS/CHERRY RED RECORDS

It is March 1969, and an album from a new band appears in record stores. The band is Genesis and the album is From Genesis to Revelation. It is a clever title, but sadly not many people took notice. The band at the time featured Peter Gabriel (lead vocals/flute), Tony Banks (Hammond organ/piano/backing vocals), Mike Rutherford (bass, backing vocals), Anthony Phillips (guitar/backing vocals) and John Silver (drums). Eventually Phil Collins would replace Silver, Steve Hackett would join and the rest is, as they say, history.

From Genesis to Revelation has been reissued several times since the 1970s, but this release is the definitive version. Gabriel, Banks, Phillips and Rutherford have come together to oversee the remaster and remix of this important debut album. The box set of four CDs and one Blu-ray features the original mix, a 2026 remix by Stephen W. Tayler, assorted B-sides and a number of previously unreleased songs.

From Genesis to Revelation is an interesting album. It is produced by Jonathan King, who was a pop producer, and he tries to turn Genesis into a pop band, a role the band is clearly not comfortable with (until the 1980s). Gabriel delivers his usual well-crafted lyrics and tells stories his own way. One has to keep in mind that prog rock was not yet a genre, and bands like Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd were developing the style. This album sees Genesis pointing in that direction. “The Conqueror,” for example, is a song that does sound like The Rolling Stones doing psychedelic, but one can hear how this particular song would help the band develop.

Then songs like “In Hiding” sound like a pop hit that never was. Gabriel ‘s voice is perfect and, once again, you can hear his origins here. Lyrically it borders on psychedelic, but it is still fun. Then there are songs, such as “One Day” which are pure pop. It is good, but not what has come to associate with Gabriel era Genesis. It is a nice love song. There is a lot to discover on the album.

From Genesis to Revelation is an important album, not just to Genesis fans, but fans of the then emerging prog scene. The album does sound dated today, but that is part of the charm. It is fascinating into the genesis of a band and seeing the foundation being laid. Of course, two members would leave and two important players (Phil Collins and Steve Hackett on drums and guitar respectively). And the original album, along with the stunning remix make it very worthwhile. The bonus material is a welcome addition. “The Mystery Of The Flannan Isles Lighthouse (demo 1968)” is a song that deserved to be finished and the demo for “Am I Very Wrong?” is incredibly beautiful and perhaps should have been the version released.

Overall, a wonderful package, jammed with enough goodies and mixes to keep even the most diehard fan interested. This version of From Genesis To Revelation has been a long time coming and the album has finally received the treatment and attention it has always deserved.

Artist Links