The musical counterpart of Miracle Whip is Genesis. They had an undeniable impact on prog-rock, and some people adore them for this reason alone. They are despised by others. There is a simpler explanation: Phil Collins.
But it would be oversimplifying to say that Genesis was amazing under Peter Gabriel and terrible under Phil Collins. It’s true that with each successive album, the music shifted, becoming progressively less progressive and more mainstream.
Devolution, however, is not evolution. After Gabriel left the band, they were more successful commercially than they had been previously. Does this suggest they were superior? Of course not.
The fact that their later albums are just as deserving of a fair listen as their early ones, however, is what it does mean. Find out which of those albums is considered to be among their greatest as we rank the top 9 Genesis albums of all time.
1. Selling England by the Pound
The fifth studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “Selling England by the Pound,” was released in 1973. The album has a variety of complicated and complex musical compositions, while the lyrics discuss politics, English culture, and nostalgia.
“Dancing with the Moonlit Knight,” the album’s first song, is a fan favorite and establishes the mood for the remainder of the work with its opulent orchestral and narrative lyrics. “Firth of Fifth,” “The Cinema Show,” and “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)” are some of the album’s other well-liked songs.
For its ambitious and creative lyrics, “Selling England by the Pound” won praise from critics, and it has since grown to be recognized as a progressive rock genre classic. The record contributed to Genesis becoming recognized as one of the decade’s most creative and influential bands.
2. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The sixth studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,” was released in 1974. The CD tells the tale of a young guy by the name of Rael who sets off on a magical and surreal adventure through several odd and ethereal settings.
The music on the album is a blend of experimental and eclectic styles, and the lyrics discuss issues of alienation, identity, and the human condition. Popular album track “Title Track” showcases Peter Gabriel’s theatrical vocals over a hard-driving rock beat. “In the Cage,” “Back in N.Y.C.,” and “Carpet Crawlers” are some of the album’s other well-liked songs.
When “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” was first released, it garnered a range of reviews, with some admiring its ambition and philosophical depth and others criticizing its broad, lackluster structure. The album is still recognized as a cult classic and one of the most avant-garde and daring compositions in the progressive rock genre.
3. Nursery Cryme
The third studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “Nursery Cryme,” was released in 1971. The music on the album is a mixture of sophisticated and complicated compositions, while the lyrics frequently contain whimsical and fantastical aspects.
The Musical Box,” the album’s opening track, is a fan favorite and showcases Peter Gabriel’s eerie vocals over several dramatic and exciting musical moves. “The Return of the Giant Hogweed,” “The Fountain of Salmacis,” and “Seven Stones” are some of the album’s other well-liked songs.
Upon its debut, “Nursery Cryme” garnered a range of reviews, with some complimenting its originality and musicianship and others criticizing its lack of cohesiveness and accessibility.
However, the record has subsequently grown to be recognized as a progressive rock classic, and it contributed to the rise of Genesis as one of the decade’s most promising and forward-thinking bands.
4. A Trick of the Tail
The seventh studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “A Trick of the Tail,” was released in 1976. Phil Collins, who replaced Peter Gabriel as the band’s main vocalist after Gabriel’s departure, made his recording debut with the album.
The music on the album is a combination of elaborate and melodious arrangements, and the words frequently discuss mythology, narrative, and introspection. “Dance on a Volcano,” the album’s first song, is a fan favorite and showcases Collins’ powerful vocals over a hard-driving rock groove.
The CD also has the well-liked songs “Squonk,” “Mad Man Moon,” and “Ripples.” Upon its debut, “A Trick of the Tail” got favorable reviews, with many reviewers applauding the album’s original and imaginative music as well as its smooth transition to a new lead vocalist. Genesis became one of the most enduring and influential bands in the progressive rock genre because of the album’s economic success.
5. Trespass
The second studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “Trespass,” was made available in 1970. The music on the album is a blend of melodious and ethereal, and the lyrics frequently discuss nature, spirituality, and individual identity.
“Looking for Someone,” the album’s opening tune, is a fan favorite and showcases Peter Gabriel’s eerie vocals over several swaying and moving musical sequences. The CD also has the well-liked songs “Stagnation,” “Dusk,” and “The Knife.”
Upon its debut, “Trespass” was met with both positive and negative reviews, with some applauding the band’s originality and potential and others criticizing its inconsistent and undeveloped composition.
However, the record has subsequently grown to be recognized as a progressive rock classic, and it contributed to the rise of Genesis as one of the decade’s most promising and forward-thinking bands.
6. Wind and Wuthering
Genesis, a British progressive rock band, released its eighth studio album, “Wind and Wuthering,” in 1976. The album combines complex and melodious musical arrangements with lyrics that frequently discuss nature, narrative, and introspection.
“Eleventh Earl of Mar,” the album’s opening track, is a favorite of listeners and incorporates atmospheric keyboards by Tony Banks and exquisite guitar playing by Steve Hackett. “One for the Vine,” “Afterglow,” and “All in a Mouse’s Night” are some of the other well-liked songs on the album.
When “Wind and Wuthering” were first released, it got favorable reviews, with many reviewers praising the album’s sophisticated musicianship and songwriting. The album was a financial triumph and contributed to Genesis becoming one of the genre’s most enduring and influential bands.
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7. Abacab
The eleventh studio album by the British progressive rock band Genesis, “Abacab,” was made available in 1981. With a stronger focus on pop-oriented lyrics and electronic instrumentation, the band’s musical approach underwent a significant shift with the release of this album.
Along with more experimental and ethereal songs like “Me and Sarah Jane” and “Dodo/Lurker,” the album has a variety of peppy and catchy songs like the title track “Abacab” and “No Reply at All.” When “Abacab” was released, critics had mixed feelings about it.
Some praised the album’s accessibility and catchy hooks, while others lambasted the band for straying from their earlier progressive rock approach.
The album, which produced multiple hit singles and peaked at number one in the UK, was nevertheless an economic success. The song “Abacab” is still a fan favorite and is seen as a crucial turning point in the band’s development and history.
8. Duke
Genesis, a British progressive rock band, released “Duke,” their eleventh studio album, in 1980. The music on the album is both complicated and melodic, and the lyrics frequently deal with storytelling, nostalgia, and individual identity.
The first song on the album, “Behind the Lines,” is a favorite of listeners and contains the distinctive keyboards of Tony Banks and the explosive vocals of Phil Collins. The songs “Misunderstanding,” “Turn It On Again,” and “Duchess” are among the album’s other top hits.
Upon its debut, “Duke” garnered favorable reviews, with several reviewers praising the musicianship and lyricism on the album. Genesis became one of the most creative and influential bands in the progressive rock genre because of the album’s economic success. The band’s most coherent and accomplished album, “Duke,” continues to be a fan favorite.
9. …And Then There Were Three…
Genesis, a British progressive rock band, released its ninth studio album, “…And Then There Were Three…“, in 1978. The release of the album saw the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett and the continuation of the remaining trio of Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford.
Pop-oriented songs like “Follow You Follow Me” and “Many Too Many” are mixed with more experimental and ethereal songs like “The Lady Lies” and “Undertow” on the album.
Upon its release, “…And Then There Were Three…” was met with mixed reviews. Some praised the album’s approachable and radio-friendly sound, while others bemoaned the band’s departure from their prior progressive rock sound. The album, however, was a commercial hit and contributed to Genesis being one of the most well-known and enduring bands of the progressive rock era.