From Genesis to Revelation – Genesis
From Genesis To Revelation
(1969), 6/10
Genesis’ debut album, recorded by pop Svengali Jonathan King during the group’s school holidays, is very different from their later progressive rock material; it sounds more like an imitation of The Beegees or the Moody Blues, with orchestration slathered over the top. King intended to create a musical version of The Bible; the Genesis part is evident in the creation references in the first few songs, but the concept rapidly devolves into generic love songs. From Genesis To Revelation ended up in the religious section of record stores and sold a ridiculously small number of copies.
But keyboardist Tony Banks and bassist Mike Rutherford were constant members of Genesis, and while the group’s style changed significantly throughout their tenure, they generally had good tunes, and this teenage debut is no exception. ‘One Day’ stands out with a soaring chorus, despite its sentimentality, while closer ‘A Place To Call My Own’ uses Gabriel’s resonant voice. Some reissues append the group’s two 1968 singles, which are generally stronger than the album itself; the b-side ‘One Eyed Hound’ is a highlight, while ‘A Winter’s Tale’ has another big catchy chorus.
Genesis sound like teenagers on From Genesis To Revelation, slightly awkward and yet to establish their own distinct identity, but it’s quite astounding to think that they were only in their early twenties when they recorded masterpieces like Foxtrot and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
