Genesis transformed progressive rock with visionary ambition and reshaped pop music, leaving an indelible mark on decades of musical innovation.
One of the most fascinating bands in rock history, Genesis charted an ever-evolving path from intricate progressive rock to global pop superstardom. Formed in the late 1960s, the group became a cornerstone of the prog rock movement, creating music that was theatrical, complex, and often otherworldly.
Their early years, fronted by the charismatic Peter Gabriel, are often seen as their creative zenith—marked by elaborate concepts, dramatic performances, and timeless epics like 'Supper’s Ready'. During this era, Genesis helped define what progressive rock could be: bold, experimental, and defiantly uncommercial.
Following Gabriel’s departure, and later that of guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis reinvented themselves with Phil Collins stepping up as lead vocalist. This ushered in a more accessible, radio-friendly phase, propelling them to international fame but dividing fans between the prog purists and those who embraced their polished pop reinvention.
Through lineup changes and shifting musical landscapes, Genesis’s studio albums tell a remarkable story of transformation and resilience. From their pastoral beginnings to their sleek chart-toppers, each album captures a different facet of their journey. In this ranking, we count down their studio records from worst to best, revisiting the highs, lows, and everything in between of this truly legendary band.
Genesis albums ranked
15. Calling All Stations (1997)
Genesis’s final studio album sees Ray Wilson stepping in as vocalist. Darker in tone, it attempts to blend prog elements with '90s alt-rock vibes but lacks the spark of earlier eras. It remains a curiosity rather than essential listening.
Key track: 'Calling All Stations'
14. From Genesis to Revelation (1969)
After the last, comes the first. Genesis's debut leans heavily on orchestral pop, showing glimpses of ambition but little of the prog brilliance to come. Its melodic charm and innocence make it interesting historically, but it feels far removed from the Genesis most fans know.
Key track: 'The Silent Sun'
13. And Then There Were Three (1978)
After the departure of legendary guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis’s first album as a trio blends prog flourishes with a new pop direction. The results are mixed: lush textures, but sometimes meandering. Still, it marked a turning point toward their mainstream success.
Key track: 'Follow You Follow Me'
12. We Can't Dance (1991)
A slickly produced blend of arena pop anthems and reflective ballads, We Can’t Dance showcases Genesis’s mature sound at the height of their commercial power. Balancing massive radio hits with sprawling, moody epics, it’s a confident, if sometimes overextended, farewell to the classic lineup’s studio recording career.
Key track: 'No Son of Mine'
11. Invisible Touch (1986)
Genesis’s commercial peak, this album is packed with polished hooks, catchy choruses, and glossy, synth-heavy production. While its bright pop sheen alienated some longtime prog fans, it brought the band massive mainstream success. Infectious, radio-ready, and undeniably memorable, it stands as a defining album of 1980s pop-rock brilliance.
Key track: 'Invisible Touch'
10. Genesis (1983)
Confident and streamlined, this self-titled release strikes an effective balance between arty progressive rock elements and infectious pop sensibilities. Darker, moodier tracks sit alongside punchy, accessible singles, showcasing a band fully comfortable in its evolving identity. It reflects Genesis’s ability to innovate while appealing to a broad, growing audience.
Key track: 'Mama'
9. Duke (1980)
Duke marks a pivotal moment for Genesis, seamlessly blending their progressive rock heritage with a sharper, more pop-oriented approach. The album is unified by recurring musical themes and tells a loose narrative of loneliness and fame.
Its emotional depth, intricate musicianship, and catchy hooks make it a standout in their catalog. Balancing complexity and accessibility, Duke proved Genesis could evolve while staying true to their essence.
Key track: 'Turn It On Again'
8. Abacab (1981)
Abacab represents a bold departure for Genesis, embracing a more modern, experimental sound with synthesizers and electronic textures.
The album blends progressive rock with pop and new wave influences, showcasing the band’s willingness to evolve. Its unpredictable song structures and adventurous approach made it a standout in the early '80s. Abacab is energetic, experimental, and forward-thinking.
Key track: 'Abacab'
7. Trespass (1970)
Trespass is a seminal album that marks the beginning of Genesis’s progressive rock journey. With intricate compositions, mystical lyrics, and the emergence of Peter Gabriel’s theatrical style, it’s a captivating listen that blends folk influences with ambitious, complex arrangements.
The album’s ethereal quality and early experimentation laid the foundation for their future direction. Trespass captures a band on the cusp of greatness.
Key track: 'The Knife'
6. Wind & Wuthering (1976)
This beautifully crafted album showcases Genesis’s lyrical, melodic side, infused with rich textures and a refined progressive rock sensibility. Inspired in part by English literature and landscapes, its wistful, atmospheric sound creates a sense of nostalgia and quiet grandeur.
Wind & Wuthering marked guitarist Steve Hackett’s final contribution, and his presence is felt throughout its elegant arrangements.
Key track: 'Eleventh Earl of Mar'
Genesis albums ranked: the top five
5. Nursery Cryme (1971)
Nursery Cryme is where Genesis truly found their progressive rock voice, blending dark, whimsical storytelling with complex, theatrical music. Peter Gabriel’s vivid lyrics and the band’s intricate instrumentation create a unique, gothic atmosphere, full of drama and invention. This album introduced guitarist Steve Hackett and drummer Phil Collins, both pivotal to the band's evolving sound, marking a key step toward their classic era. Candidate for best cover, too.
Key track: 'The Musical Box'
4. A Trick of the Tail (1976)
A Trick of the Tail marked Genesis’s successful rebirth after Peter Gabriel’s departure, with Phil Collins stepping confidently into the role of lead vocalist. The album retains the band’s rich progressive roots, full of intricate musicianship, shifting time signatures, and imaginative storytelling, while introducing a smoother, more melodic edge.
Its polished production and cohesive feel impressed both fans and critics, proving the band’s resilience and creative strength. It’s widely praised as one of their finest achievements.
Key track: 'Ripples'
Genesis albums ranked: the top three (how to separate these?)
3. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is Genesis’s most ambitious and enigmatic work: a sprawling double concept album that tells the surreal story of Rael, a Puerto Rican youth navigating a nightmarish New York City. With Peter Gabriel’s dense, poetic lyrics and theatrical delivery, the album delves into themes of identity, transformation, and redemption.
Musically, Lamb spans everything from hard rock to delicate ballads, weaving a complex, immersive sonic tapestry. The band’s creative interplay shines throughout, with Tony Banks’s keyboards and Steve Hackett’s guitar work particularly striking. Though divisive at release, it’s now hailed as a progressive rock masterpiece and a defining moment in the band’s history, epitomizing their artistic daring and depth.
Key track: 'In the Cage'
2. Foxtrot (1972)
Is there a more prog album than Foxtrot? A landmark in Genesis’s early career, their visionary fourth album is widely celebrated for its ambitious scope and imaginative artistry. Foxtrot perfects the band’s blend of complex compositions, rich storytelling, and theatrical flair, with Peter Gabriel’s vivid vocals front and centre. Its crowning achievement is the epic 'Supper’s Ready', a 23-minute suite that journeys through apocalyptic visions, love, and redemption—often considered Genesis’s ultimate progressive rock statement.
Tony Banks’s lush keyboards, Steve Hackett’s intricate guitar work, and Phil Collins’s dynamic drumming all shine, making the album a showcase of technical brilliance and cohesive creativity. Foxtrot captures the band at a creative peak, solidifying their reputation as masters of the progressive genre. Full of drama, beauty, and depth, it remains a touchstone for prog rock fans worldwide.
Key tracks: 'Supper's Ready' and 'Watcher of the Skies'
And the greatest Genesis album (by a whisker) is...
1. Selling England by the Pound (1973)
Selling England by the Pound is often hailed as Genesis’s crowning achievement and one of the greatest prog rock albums ever made. Released in 1973, it blends intricate musicianship, poetic lyrics, and quintessentially English themes with extraordinary finesse.
Peter Gabriel’s evocative storytelling, laced with satire and nostalgia, paints vivid portraits of British life, while the band delivers some of their most memorable performances—Tony Banks’s elegant keyboards, Steve Hackett’s sublime guitar work, and Phil Collins’s precise drumming are all at their peak. Tracks like 'The Cinema Show' and the sublime, emotive 'Firth of Fifth' showcase breathtaking musical complexity and beauty.
The album balances grandeur with subtlety, weaving long-form epics and accessible melodies into a seamless whole. Its rich textures and conceptual depth encapsulate everything that defines classic progressive rock. Selling England by the Pound stands as Genesis’s most complete and timeless work, a benchmark of the genre’s artistry.
Key track: 'Firth of Fifth'. Honestly, you have to watch it just for Steve Hackett's incredible guitar solo if nothing else...
Top pic: David Warner Ellis/Redferns via Getty Images
