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.
This is where it started for the band. I still have some of the songs from this album stuck in my head. Some good points on your take. Amazes me how long ago they started. It’s interesting to pull out and listen to. Some good work on here from some young guys with different musical ideas.
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It’s very different from their other work too – it’d be interesting to know how much Jonathan King influenced it. It also pre-dates progressive rock – it came out 6 months before In The Court of the Crimson King, which must have influenced their subsequent albums.
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You said it’s a rare record. My copies in good shape but the cover is a little beat up. It came with a lyric sheet. I don’t know the history on King or heard of him. You’re up on the history more than I am.
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Have you heard ‘Everyone’s Gone To The Moon’ – he had a hit with that, then became a pop svengali.
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Sounds familiar. I’ll look him up.
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I don’t necessarily recommend it or him – it’s definitely a good thing they got free of him. If their first album had been successful, they would have probably had a different career path.
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Those kind of guys rub me the wrong way.
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