A Sample of Genesis

The progressive rock group Genesis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15th, 2010. The impact this group has had on music over the past decades can not be understated. They have survived members leaving, styles changing, and managed to adjust to the times while keeping their core musical philosophy intact. The songs listed below are but a meager sample of the creative genius of Genesis, and all are worth a good listen.

10 - Invisible Touch, from Invisible Touch (1986) This song introduced a new generation to the band's music and sent many scrambling for samples of their other work. It was regarded by older fans as a sell-out, as a means of conformity to the pop music industry. I was familiar with Genesis before the release of Invisible Touch, but this song definitely turned my head and made me pick up the band's previous albums.

9 - I Can't Dance, from We Can't Dance (1991) Genesis took a blues rift that was meant to be a joke, added an appropriately humorous video, and allowed it to catapult itself to the top of the charts. Markedly different from the usual Genesis style, the inclusion of this song illustrates the complete diversity of the group.

8 - Entangled, from A Trick of the Tail (1975) The soft, lullaby quality is engaging even though the lyrics speak of illness. The use of the Mellotron adds to the ethereal, almost semi-conscious quality of the piece. It is a perfect example of the more thoughtful, sensitive pieces that usually fell from the fingers of Tony Banks.

7 - Abacab, from Abacab (1981) This song, and album, is important because it continued the band's transition from 70's progressive rock to a more mainstream sound, which was necessary due to the changing tastes of the public. Many songs kept the staple sound of Genesis, but others, such as Abacab, took the band in a different direction and secured their place in music history as they continued to produce albums in this vein for the next ten years.

6 - Fading Lights, from We Can't Dance (1991) I'm including this simply because it is a personal favorite. The meaning of the song is striking, reminding us that our days are limited, and we need to appreciate what we have while we have it. While it may not be a "top ten" qualifier to many fans, I do believe it is a powerful song that should be heard.

5 - Mama, from Genesis (1983) This song is instantly recognizable for the use of the drum machine, followed by an eerie synthesizer wail. It maintains this eerie mood throughout, and is generally a fan favorite whether they favor the band's former progressive style, or mainstream. It is probably the darkest song produced by the band, and remains the most popular in the UK.

4 - In The Cage, from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974) This song is a tour favorite due to the pounding and sometimes almost psychedelic rhythms and accompanying effects. It is one of a few from Gabriel's era to survive the passage of time and become a highlight of the band's current day live performances. The intensity of this song radiates from the stage and is used to set up the band's well-known instrumental segments.

3 - Domino, from Invisible Touch (1986) I rank this song high on the list simply because it shows that Genesis wasn't completely lost in the pop glamour of the 80's. With this "updated return to their roots", Genesis gives us a provoking image of war through the eyes of someone who was there, and another who's only touch with the reality of it is through their television. Currently desensitized, we must realize that life is a chain reaction, and that our turn is coming. With musical interludes and changes in tone, this song is an example of Genesis at their finest.

2 - Afterglow, from Wind and Wuthering (1976) Tony Banks said this song was written in about the same amount of time it takes to play it. This is the one that the audiences wait for; the emotional backdrop to the grinding instrumental medley that generally takes place in the middle of their live shows. Highlighted with vocal intensity, steams of colored lights and gently rising fog, this song is an emotional journey in itself.

1 - Supper's Ready, from Foxtrot (1972) The twenty minute scope of this song is reason enough to give it a listen. Musical story-telling at its finest, Supper's Ready encompasses every mood from whimsical to tawdry to downright suspenseful. The pounding base towards the end of this piece, in 9/8 count, is one that demands you try to keep up with the unusual beat. This song draws out the battle between good and evil in epic, and sometimes absurd, form, and close to forty years later, it is still considered by many fans the best and most memorable Genesis song.

From 1967 through today, Genesis has managed to defeat the odds and pour their hearts and souls into the music they wanted to create. Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Steve Hackett have not only set a standard, they've collectively become a legend who continues to inspire musicians to this date. You can find out more about this amazing band at www.genesis-music.com