Genesis (Genesis album)
| Genesis | ||||
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| Studio album by Genesis | ||||
| Released | 3 October 1983 | |||
| Recorded | May–August 1983 | |||
| Studio | The Farm, Chiddingfold, Surrey, UK | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 45:59 | |||
| Label |
Charisma (UK) Atlantic (U.S.) Vertigo (South America) |
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| Producer | ||||
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| Singles from Genesis | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
| Kerrang! | (very favourable) |
| Rolling Stone | |
Genesis is the twelfth studio album by the English rock band Genesis, released on 3 October 1983 on Charisma Records. The band decided on its title as each of the album's nine tracks were written as a group. The album cover depicts the shapes from a Shape-O, a children's toy made by Tupperware. For this reason, some fans refer to this album in conversation as Shapes. Mike Rutherford referred to this album as his favorite Genesis album. According to AllMusic, the album established that Genesis were "now primarily a pop band", although "art rock functions as coloring to the pop songs".
Genesis was a commercial success upon its release. The album reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 9 in the U.S., where it sold over 4 million copies. Five singles were released between 1983 and 1984, with "Mama" being the band's highest-charting single in the UK at number 4. In 2007, Genesis was reissued with a new stereo and 5.1 surround sound mix as part of the band's box set, Genesis 1983–1998.
In October 1982, the band wrapped their two-month tour of North America and Europe in support of their live album, Three Sides Live. They reconvened in May 1983 to start work on their next studio album at The Farm, the band's recording studio in Chiddingfold, Surrey. The album marked the beginning of Hugh Padgham's formal production assistance after engineering the band's previous studio album, Abacab (1981).
The album was developed differently from previous Genesis albums. Prior to this album, each member would bring in their song ideas fully composed. This time, each band member would bring in a fragment of an idea and they would compose the song together through improvisation in the studio. The band did this due to the other commitments taking up their time, as the members by this point had side projects and solo careers. This method allowed them to keep the band unified and the songs fresh.
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