Rhino rewrites the book of Genesis

By Patrick Luce May 2, 2007, 15:36 GMT

‘Genesis: 1976-1982’ captures the band’s steady evolution from its early days as prog-rock pioneers to the Grammy-winning polished-pop of the group’s multi-platinum hits. The series picks up the Genesis’ story after the departure of founding member Peter Gabriel.

With the May 15th release of ‘Genesis: 1976-1982,’ Rhino Records debuts the first in a series of three box sets spotlighting 13 studio albums by one of the top-selling recording artists of all time. This 6-CD/6-DVD boxed set encompasses five studio albums recorded between 1976 and 1982, plus a bonus disc offered exclusively with this collection that gathers essential rare tracks scattered among the band’s EPs and b-sides.

Produced with help from band members Tony Banks (keyboards), Phil Collins (singer/drums) and Mike Rutherford (bass/guitar), ‘Genesis: 1976-1982’ presents each studio album as a two-disc set—a CD featuring a newly remixed version of the original studio album, and a DVD that includes a 5.1 Surround Sound mix of the album as well as videos, photo galleries, photographic reproductions of tour programs, and interviews with members filmed exclusively for this extensive collection. Three of the DVDs feature previously unreleased live concert footage.

‘Genesis: 1976-1982’ captures the band’s steady evolution from its early days as prog-rock pioneers to the Grammy-winning polished-pop of the group’s multi-platinum hits. The series picks up the Genesis’ story after the departure of founding member Peter Gabriel.

Now anchored by Banks, Collins, Rutherford and guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett – Genesis returned with ‘Trick of the Tail’ (1976). The group’s best-selling album up to this point, the record spawned the singles “Ripples” and the title track along with the stunning album-opener “Dance on a Volcano” and the aptly titled instrumental finale “Los Endos.” The DVD includes videos for “Robbery, Assault And Battery,” “Ripples” and “A Trick of the Tail,” as well as 40 minutes of previously unreleased footage from that year’s tour.

Inspired by Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, Genesis titled their next album ‘Wind & Wuthering’ (1976). The album veers from the progressive complexities of “One for the Vine” and “Eleventh Earl of Mar” to the accessibility of the Rutherford-penned single, “Your Own Special Way.” The DVD features video “bootlegs” of the band’s 1977 U.S. and Japanese television appearances.

A sly nod to the band’s debut as a trio following Hackett’s departure, Genesis christened its ninth studio album ‘And Then There Were Three’ (1978). The album was the band’s first gold record and was later certified platinum. While maintaining its fair share of art rock elements with “Many Too Many” and “Snowbound,” the album also foreshadowed the pop successes to come with “Follow You Follow Me,” Genesis’ first major hit. The DVD includes videos for “Many Too Many” and “Follow You Follow Me,” plus 25 minutes of previously unseen live performances filmed in 1978.

With ‘Duke’ (1980), the band cracked the charts again with “Misunderstanding” and “Turn It On Again” scoring its first #1 album in the U.K. Featuring concise songwriting and a fresh pop sheen, the album also marked the first appearance of Collins’ trademark electronic drum sound on the track “Duchess.” The band’s second gold record in a row, ‘Duke’ was later certified platinum. The DVD contains videos for “Duchess,” “Misunderstanding” and “Turn It on Again” along with nearly 40 minutes of footage of the group performing in 1980 at The Lyceum in London.

Genesis’ breakout album ‘Abacab’ (1981) went on to achieve multi-platinum status thanks to the well-crafted pop of the title track and “No Reply At All,” a song the trio collaborated on with the legendary group Earth, Wind and Fire. Among the album’s most popular tracks was “Man on the Corner,” a song penned by Collins that mixed pop and social commentary. The DVD contains videos for “Abacab,” “No Reply At All,” “Keep It Dark” and “Man on the Corner.”

‘Genesis: 1976-1982’ concludes with ‘Extra Tracks 1976 To 1982,’ a disc of rarities offered exclusively as part of this box set. Drawing from the band’s wealth of non-album tracks, the compilation contains 13 songs including the hit single “Paperlate” and “You Might Recall” from the EP 3X3 (1982) along with “Match of the Day” and “Inside and Out” from the EP Spot the Pigeon (1977). Included among the disc’s many b-sides are “It’s Yourself,” “Open Door,” “Submarine” and “Evidence Of Autumn,” the flip side to the single “Misunderstanding.” The DVD of ‘Extra Tracks’ includes 5.1 mixes of the songs, as well as the video for “Paperlate” and a new interview with the band.

‘Genesis: 1976-1982’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.