New Genesis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In October 1982, the Genesis line-up of drummer/singer Phil Collins, keyboardist Tony Banks, and guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford wrapped their two-month tour supporting the live album Three Sides Live. They also performed a one-off gig titled Six of the Best with original frontman Peter Gabriel and former guitarist Steve Hackett to raise funds for Gabriel's world music festival WOMAD. Genesis then entered a period of inactivity during which the band pursued solo projects. In spring 1983, they reconvened at The Farm to start work on a new studio album, their first since Abacab (1981). The album became their first written, recorded, and mixed entirely at the studio room; previously they had to write in an adjoining space. Working without the pressure of booking studio time and fees resulted in a more relaxed environment. 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.

In Their Own Story

Mike 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. Tony 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'. Tracks came about through jamming and improvisations recorded onto tape, ensuring the band remained unified and the songs were kept fresh. 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). The collaborative effort also influenced the album's title, as the group was unable to come up with a suitable name, so they used Genesis to emphasise that it was written collectively. Five singles were released between 1983 and 1984; 'Mama' was the lead single and remains the highest charting Genesis single in the UK, reaching No. 4. While 'Mama' stalled on the US charts, follow-up single 'That's All' reached No. 6 there and became the band's first US top 10 hit.

Reader's Guide

The album displays the group moving towards shorter, more straightforward, and radio friendly songs. Rutherford said the band had gone as far as they could with their progressive and art rock direction and wanted to write and record in a more relaxed approach. Banks considered the music, and overall sound of Genesis, something the band had longed for many years prior, specifically its more aggressive edge. He described side one as the 'main act', while side two has the 'character pieces'. 'Mama' originated during a group jam session where Rutherford was experimenting with a Linn LM-1 electronic drum machine fed through a gated reverb and a Mesa/Boogie amplifier turned up incredibly loud. Collins's laugh was influenced by the 1982 song 'The Message' by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. 'That's All' originated from Banks's simple piano riff, with each member citing the Beatles as an influence. 'Home by the Sea' tells the story of a burglar who breaks into a house only to find it is haunted by ghosts. The former track segues into 'Second Home by the Sea', a mostly instrumental piece developed from a group improvisation that began with Collins playing a drum riff. 'Illegal Alien', with lyrics from Rutherford, is about illegal immigrants and their attempts to cross the border into the United States for a better life. In 2007, the album was re-released with new stereo and 5.1 surround sound mixes.

Did You Know?

• The album was the band's first written collectively since The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974), with no individual writing credits.
• 'Mama' features a laugh influenced by the 1982 hip hop song 'The Message' by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
• The working title for 'Second Home by the Sea' was 'Heavy Simmonds', a reference to Phil Collins' playing on a Simmons electronic drum kit.
• A sample from the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is used on the album.
• The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1985, and 'Second Home by the Sea' was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.