Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Genesis
Label: Virgin Records
Release: 1983
Rating: 3/5
With their self-titled record, Genesis pleasantly surprised everyone. If “Abacab” (1981) was a letdown for most fans of prog-era Genesis, thanks to its musical inconsistency and a few below-average songs, then “Genesis” (also called “Shapes” because of the cover) is one of the rare records from the band’s “pop” era where they pulled off a very good, creative new wave/pop rock album, typical of the 80s, with some progressive rock elements on top. It’s called “Genesis” because it’s the result of teamwork: every song on the album came out of collaboration between all three members of the band. With this one they made up a bit with their old fans, who had started bailing in a hurry once their songs began getting played to death on every commercial radio station. “Genesis”, with hits like “Mama”, “That’s All”, “Home By The Sea”, “Second Home By The Sea” and “Illegal Alien”, was no exception, and the album is one of their most successful. But with this important difference from “Abacab”: the sound and production on “Genesis” are much more “crisp” and “polished”, built on arrangements that are mostly mid-tempo, which suited 80s pop radio down to the ground. Banks’s keyboards are pushed a bit more to the front again compared to Collins’s sampled drums, and that’s another reason the sound on the album is deeper. All of this gave the record a somewhat more authentic prog flavor again, and a breeze from the 70s really does blow through, mostly on the first half of the record. And most importantly: the album holds together far better as a whole than its predecessor.
The opening hit “Mama” is one of the best songs the band made in the 80s. Even though its structure is pretty non-commercial, it was the band’s biggest hit in the UK. The mood is full of mystery and darkness, and even Collins’s usually so friendly voice sounds downright scary at times, especially in the part where his manic cackle echoes through an effect. The lyrics are about a prostitute and her child, which is the complete opposite of Collins’s love confessions, which were starting to reshape the band’s musical image in this period, let alone their earlier intellectual lyrics. The song has all the hallmarks of a (neo) prog song, even though its rhythm is built on Collins’s drum machine. “That’s All” is one of the band’s best pop songs, with Collins shining vocally in full light and Rutherford even treating himself to a short little solo at the end. The high point for all fans of classic Genesis, though, is undoubtedly the epic “Home By The Sea” and its continuation “Second Home By The Sea”, where Tony Banks on synths shows why he was always one of the best prog/pop rock keyboardists. Both compositions are built on pentatonic scales (five notes per octave), just like most oriental music, so it’s no surprise that the esoterically romantic “Home By The Sea” was a big hit in Asia when it came out. With these two excellent prog-pop epics, the band also proved they never fully turned their back on their progressive past, they just adapted to new times, new music technology and a new sound. The second half of the record is a bit weaker, but there’s still not a bad song in it. With another pop hit, “Illegal Alien”, a social satire at the expense of Mexican immigrants, the band showed its sense of black humor for the first time in ages. The song is an interesting experiment for the band also because at one point they play reggae and Collins sings like a reggae singer, a proper “brotha”. Listening to it, it’s not hard to picture illegal immigrants from Central America singing along over a bottle of tequila. Undoubtedly a very atypical song for the band, and one that won’t sit well with anyone who doesn’t get English humor. “Taking It All Too Hard” is a typical light Collins ballad, but with interesting keyboard arrangements. “Just A Job To Do” is an excellent pop song with a brilliant rhythm line, an interesting riff and great Collins vocals, especially in the chorus. “Silver Rainbow” is a very good, shorter epic song that, interestingly, even slightly recalls some solo Peter Gabriel, with an epic chorus, great backing vocals and synths. Undoubtedly one of those rare lesser-known songs by the band that deserves more attention. “It’s Gonna Get Better” is a very solid Collins power ballad with great drum samples and keyboards. Even though it sounds a lot like his solo work, it’s a very good piece. Unbelievable, but the album doesn’t have a single bad song.
“Genesis”, though far from a masterpiece, is a pleasant surprise for all those fans who had written the band off after “Abacab”, and proof that the band was capable of making an excellent pop rock album with plenty of good songs while keeping its creative voice and soul. All the fans of Collins’s solo albums, and everyone haunted by nostalgia for the 80s, will surely be thrilled with it. Anyone who doesn’t get too hung up on their progressive past while listening will be able to enjoy their best pop rock record.
Lineup
Phil Collins – vocals, drums, percussion
Mike Rutherford – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
Tony Banks – keyboards, backing vocals
Production
Genesis, Hugh Padgham
Tracklist
1. Mama (7:25)
2. That’s All (4:23)
3. Home By The Sea (4:52)
4. Second Home By The Sea (6:20)
5. Illegal Alien (5:13)
6. Taking It All Too Hard (3:55)
7. Just A Job To Do (4:45)
8. Silver Raimbow (4:28)
9. It’s Gonna Get Better (6:25)
Album length: 47:46
