Genesis (Genesis album)

Writing and recording[edit]

In the spring of 1983, the band reconvened at their studio, named The Farm in Chiddingfold, Surrey, to start work on a new studio album, their first since Abacab (1981). Genesis became their first album written, recorded, and mixed in its entirety at the studio room; previously they had to write in an adjoining space.^[4][5] Having the group work in their own space without the additional pressure of booking studio time and fees resulted in a more relaxed environment.^[5] They were joined by engineer Hugh Padgham, who had also worked on Abacab, but this time carried out production duties themselves with Geoff Callingham offering technical assistance.^[4] Rutherford recalled an initial period of slow and sluggish progress, but after a particularly productive session on the third day they had "two or three" songs worked out, which increased their interest and excitement towards the album and in performing the new material on stage.^[5] Before the sessions began, the group considered the idea of Banks or Rutherford taking on a lead vocal on the album, but opted out as they had developed material with Collins's voice in mind. Banks said that he and Rutherford take a more prominent role in the backing vocals on Genesis than previous albums.^[6]


Banks explained the album was the result of the group's decision to "write an album and record it in one go, from start to finish".^[7] The group considered their strongest material had been put together collectively, so they decided to make an entire album in such a way as opposed to developing someone's pre-arranged ideas.^[8] Before, each member would contribute fully or partially arranged songs, which restricted development or suggestions from the other members. This time tracks came about through jamming and improvisations in the studio that were recorded onto tape,^[5][8] ensuring the band remained unified and kept songs fresh.^[5] Banks noted that this made recording more exciting and spontaneous.^[8] This collaborative effort marked a return for Genesis crediting each member for writing the album as opposed to listing individual credits, which they had not done since The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974).^[8] The collaborative effort also had an influence on the album's title as the group were unable to come up with a suitable name, so they used Genesis to emphasise the fact that it was written collectively.^[9]


The main keyboards that Banks used on the album are the Prophet 10, Synclavier, an E-mu Emulator, a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, and an ARP Quadra on "Mama".^[7][8] At one point on the album, a sample from the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is used. Collins said: "You play a chord and a half of it's going at half the speed and part at twice the speed, sounds beautiful."^[10] Collins plays on a Simmons electronic drum kit.^[11]

Release[edit]

Genesis was released on 3 October 1983 and distributed by Charisma and Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and by Atlantic Records in the United States.^[17][4] It reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for one week from 15 October 1983 during a 51-week stay on the chart, and re-entered the chart for a total of 15 weeks between 1984 and 1987.^[18] The album peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 during a 49-week stay.^[19] In the United Kingdom, the album reached Gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry on the day of release for shipment of 200,000 copies. In December 1983, the album reached Platinum certification and, in October 1987 reached double Platinum, the latter for selling 600,000 copies.^[17]


Four singles from the album were released between August 1983 and June 1984. A 12-inch single was released with longer versions of "Mama" and "It's Gonna Get Better", the edit for the latter containing an extra verse and chorus.^[8]


Genesis filmed promotional music videos for "Mama" and "Illegal Alien", both of which were filmed back to back on the same film set.^[20]

Books


DVD media