The Songs Of Genesis

Steve Aldous MCFARLAND

Charismatic misfits run over by lawn mower.

Subtitled A Complete Guide To The Studio Recordings, this intensely detailed and meticulously researched investigation of Britain’s most left-field progressive rock group is quick to acknowledge that Genesis fans fall into two camps: team Peter Gabriel, and team the others. Of course, the latter were far more successful, but Gabriel’s early-70s blend of theatrical confrontation and murderous angst on The Knife, Trespass, Watcher Of The Skies and near-masterpiece The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway shared the shock of the new with David Bowie and Roxy Music.

Aldous makes a case for life after Pete. He has to, really; all that platinum proves that Collins and co. didn’t count their royalties, they weighed them. The transition from a maverick cult band to a Knebworth-sized national treasure meant Genesis endured an oftenhostile press, something Aldous aims to debunk. Linking to a biography is helpful, and there’s enough personal colour to drive the narrative. ■■■■■■■■■■