thefloydios
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Genesis Albums Ranked

My discography ranking of one of the most creative and atmospheric bands of all time - Genesis. Alot of fans tend to lean towards the Peter Gabriel years and my list will certainly reflect that, but lets not forget the progressive awesomeness of the first few albums after Gabriel left. Their 80s output is also notable for some of the highest quality pop rock of the decade and is nowhere near as bad as hardcore Genesis fans would have you think, in fact its pretty awesome. As a disclaimer I love albums 1-8 so even if #8 might be your favourite at least know that I still love it. The top 3 are set in stone for me though.
15genesis
From Genesis to Revelation

The string section shits on what could have been a decent album. The potential shown on the first few songs is soon forgotten as the album progresses into 60's pop crap.
14genesis
Calling All Stations

Pretty boring, but not necessarily bad. Little to no magic left in the band at this point.
13Genesis
Abacab

The weirdest Genesis album. A cross between the pop emerging from Duke and electronica experiments. When the experiment works it works very well (Abacab and Dodo/Lurker) but when it doesn't it fails big time (Who Dunnit?). It also has some pretty forgettable songs at the end of side 2.
12Genesis
We Can't Dance

While this album doesn't have many standout tracks (with the exception of Driving the Last Spike and Dreaming While You Sleep), all the songs are pretty solid and makes for an enjoyable listen. The album also has alot of ballads and laid back songs, so it can be a bit forgettable on the first few listens but stick with it and its pretty rewarding.
11Genesis
...And Then There Were Three...

Another good post-Gabriel album, but nowhere near as good as the two before it. Losing Hackett was a major blow to Genesis, and you can tell the sound of the band is greatly impacted. Although the album has moments of genius with 'Undertow', 'Down and Out' and 'Burning Rope' it Isn't enough to outweigh the cheesy compositions later on in the album.
10Genesis
Genesis

If side 2 was as good as side 1 this album would have easily beaten Invisible Touch. Sadly the material on side 2 is pretty throwaway, but side 1 is so strong it deserves this spot. Mama is one of their most atmospheric songs, running at nearly 7 minutes it feels more like 3 that's how hypnotic it is.
9Genesis
Invisible Touch

Talk about underrated. This album is always rated among the bottom of Genesis's discography and has the legacy of being the "sellout" album. This is pure bullshit. Although the album does have a few forgettable pop songs, the majority of it is fantastic. You have 'Tonight, Tonight, tonight" and "Domino" two multi-section songs over 8 mins which prove that Genesis still had awesome progressive music up its sleeve. They don't over stay their welcome either, their lengths match their substance. Throw in catchy rock tunes like "Land of Confusion" and the title track and you have a winner.
8Genesis
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

k, Ok here's where the list is gonna be controversial. I just want to say off the bat that I love this album and fully recognize its genius. There aren't any issues with this album either, I just like the other albums above it more for some reason. Maybe because it has less classic stand alone tracks (like most concept albums) and thus to really be appreciated it must be digested in one sitting. It also has the inevitable filler tracks which the other Gabriel albums don't not have much of, in my opinion.
7Genesis
Trespass

Trespass is often considered their true debut album, and for good reason. This is the first album where they started producing full blown soundscapes. You have the great run of pastoral songs in the middle of the album which are book ended by 'Looking For Someone' and the electrifying 'The Knife'. The Knife seriously kicks so much ass, its the closest they ever got to metal and proved they had some serious rock chops. 'Looking For Someone' is no slouch either, paving the way for their signature sound.
6Genesis
Wind & Wuthering

Another post-Gabriel prog masterwork. Wind and Wuthering is one of their most atmospheric albums with cinematic songs like One For the Vine, Blood on the Rooftops and Eleventh Earl of Mar. Although the album admittedly goes through weaker territory in its middle section, its phenomenal first and last third propel it to #6. It's is also notable for containing the Steve Hackett swan song 'Blood on the Rooftops'. The guitar playing on that track kicks some serious classical ass.
5Genesis
Duke

To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of this album at first, but it soon grew on me and I've never looked back. Duke is a perfect amalgamation of the old and new. You still have the progressive keyboard heavy sound, and extended pieces, but on the other hand Genesis really hone down and throw in some fantastic pop-rock classics. Turn it on Again, Misunderstanding and Behind the Lines are extremely memorable songs which just sink their hooks right in. Songs like this prove that you don't need 20 minute run times to create great songs. The highlight of the album is Phil Collins emotional vocals/lyrics- he really broke out of his shell on this one. Listen to Please Don't Ask and tell me you don't tear up a bit.
4Genesis
A Trick of the Tail

Although Gabriel left the band, they showed no signs of slowing down. Gabriel's voice gave the music a surreal vibe and that element of their sound would forever be lost, but Phil Collins does just fine on the album. His vocal potential isn't fully realized yet, but his voice perfectly fits the laid back atmosphere of the album. The music itself is as progressive as ever, proving they could still be adventurous without Gabriel's eccentricity.
3Genesis
Selling England by the Pound

This album on the other hand is often ranked as the pinnacle of Gabriel era Genesis and while I do think that it is a bonafide masterpiece it ranks slightly below 1 and 2 for me. Selling England's epics 'Dancing With the Moonlit Knight', 'Firth of Fifth' and 'The Cinema Show' definitely belong up there with the previous epics but the albums shorter songs are not up to par with the ones on Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme. I must say though that the Battle of Epping Forest is a pretty underrated song. Fans think its an overlong mess and while I was among that group at first you have to realize that this is a cinematic song and the vocals/lyrics enhance the storyline, the use of humour also goes over most peoples heads from what I've read. Anyway this album is an atmospheric masterpiece with 1 or 2 weaker songs (you know which ones lol).
2Genesis
Nursery Cryme

This album tends to be ranked pretty low among the Peter Gabriel albums and I honestly can't understand why. For me its perfect from start to finish, but then again it is their most eccentric album both lyrically and musically, so people might be turned off by that I guess. For me though, Nursery Cryme's got it all, 'The Musical Box' the 10 minute epic and easily one of their greatest songs (listen to that electrifying midsection and emotional outro, its pure ecstasy), 'The Return of the Giant Hogweed' one of their craziest but best epics with one of the best piano sections of all time, then you have 3 or 4 short but sweet songs which buffer the epics and enhance the atmosphere and then the gorgeous 'Fountain of Salmacis' closes it off.
1Genesis
Foxtrot

This is it, the pinnacle of progressive rock. I'd easily put this up there with Close to the Edge and Thick as a Brick as a member of the holy trinity of progressive rock albums. Not only does it have the 23 minute epic 'Supper's Ready', arguably the greatest song ever made, but 5 other stellar tracks. Theres greatness on every inch of this album. The intro of 'Watcher of the Skies' is one of their most atmospheric, 'Get Em Out by Friday' is a great cinematic tune,and lets not forget 'Can-Utility and the Coastliners' one of the least talked about but best early Genesis songs in my opinion. A true classic from start to finish.
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