Archive 1967-1975 - Genesis > Reviews > The Genesis Archive I - 1967-1975

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	The Classic Genesis Line - up In All Their 70s Glory
Disadvantages:	For Hardcore Fans Only

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

As well as the four CDs, there is also an informative 80 page booklet included in this package. For true fans there is not much new in this booklet, nevertheless it is a nice-to-have. I read with some trepidation Tony Banks' comments about some of the tracks on CD4 being "copies of copies of what were not very good recordings in the first place". I need not have worried. They are all highly worthwhile and reasonable quality. Although CD4 is all from the early days 'Genesis To Revelation' era; they make very interesting listening. Over the last 20 years or so we have had so much brilliant stuff from this group that it is easy to overlook where they came from mucically. This collection rekindles old memories and reminds us of what has made them great from their earliest days.

Although Peter Gabriel has over dubbed some vocals for the live version of "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" (recorded at the Shrine Auditorium in New York, 1975), it doesn't really detract from the feel. One tends to forget how good all five musicians were in this group. It's nice to hear Phil Collins' drum sound how it was meant to - live, loud and moody! The sound production means this live release which takes up half of the Archive is arguably better than the studio original - it is also punctuated with introductions and stories by Gabriel himself.

Disc 3 is also of particular interest although for the life of me I cannot understand why other tracks recorded at the Rainbow gig are not included here. Many fans could not believe that "Battle of Epping Forest", for example had been ommited.

Overall, it is a good summary of the bands early years up until Gabriel left in 1975. There is a sense that the band have tried to cater for the hardcore fans, but somebody wanting to get into the early Genesis sound should definitely start here.