Genesis - Genesis [1999 VJCP 68107 Japan Mini-LP Remaster] (1983)

Review by Bob McBeath @ Prog Archives:

With this album, Genesis pulled in the reins and reverted in part to the style their traditional fan base expected. “Home by the sea” ranks as one of their best, and most progressive tracks, with superb keyboards in particular from Tony Banks. Nominally two separate tracks, the second part being “Second home by the sea”, it in reality a 10 minute track which ranks alongside the band’s better known classics.

The opening track, “Mama” has a menacing feel, a bit like a darker version Phil Collin’s first solo track “In the air tonight”. While the track was commercial enough to become a major hit single for the band, it retains sufficient credibility to stand alongside other Genesis singles such as “I know what I like”, and “Follow you follow me”.

The other track which I particularly enjoy is “Silver rainbow”. While it has a fairly lightweight feel to it, the structure is slightly more complex than the pop songs Genesis had moved towards, with some excellent keyboard work around the choruses.

There are certainly a number of lighter tracks with leanings towards singles, but all in all, one of the better post Gabriel and Hackett era Genesis albums.



Tracklisting:
1. Mama (6:49)
2. That's All (4:26)
3. Home By The Sea (5:08)
4. Second Home By The Sea (6:07)
5. Illegal Alien (5:15)
6. Taking It All Too Hard (3:58)
7. Just A Job To Do (4:47)
8. Silver Rainbow (4:30)
9. It's Gonna Get Better (5:01)

Total Time: 46:01

Line-Up:
- Tony Banks / keyboards, backing vocals
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, lead vocals
- Mike Rutherford / lead guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals