Gigantes del Pop Vol. 24
	(no production credits)
	Released on 1981
	(no chart information)
	Find it at GEMM
71 95 074 cover

T his compilation (released in Spain when prog’s reign was mainly on the wane) features the band’s first album, From Genesis To Revelation, bookended by their two earliest singles from 1968. As such, it’s a definitive review of Genesis prior to Trespass, in case you wish to venture this deep into their discography. Completists will enjoy getting all this in one helping, though the expanded reissue of their first album covers the same ground. The advantage this has over, say, In The Beginning is slightly more saturated sound and smoother segues from track to track that underscore the fact that From Genesis To Revelation was conceived as a “concept” album. Depending on how generous/nostalgic a mood I’m in, I do enjoy this music, albeit in a different way than their later work. The ambition and occasional experimentation are commendable, rendered a little roughly as they learned to play their instruments better, but “In The Beginning,” “That’s Me” and “The Conqueror” kick up some dust all the same. Still, it’s all too precious to take seriously: tracks like “Fireside Song” and “In Hiding” belong to a bygone era, innocent to the point of insincerity. Like the earliest recordings from The Moody Blues or Vangelis, this material is more of historical than musical interest; then again, a lot of people are interested in the history of Genesis. I’m simply pleased that the cassette played okay twenty years on (although my tape player did try to eat it on the second go ‘round). Approaching this with suitably low expectations (which the Seconds Out-era cover doesn’t facilitate) will prime you to enjoy this (or any of their early compilations) on some level.

TRACK LISTING

1. THE SILENT SUN
2. THAT'S ME
3. WHERE THE SOUR TURNS TO SWEET
4. IN THE BEGINNING
5. FIRESIDE SONG
6. THE SERPENT
7. AM I VERY WRONG?
8. IN THE WILDERNESS
9. THE CONQUEROR
10. IN HIDING
11. ONE DAY
12. WINDOW
13. IN LIMBO
14. SILENT SUN
15. A PLACE TO CALL MY OWN
16. A WINTER'S TALE
17. ONE EYED HOUND

CREDITS

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