I admit that I came to Genesis after the departure of Peter Gabriel, which means that I was listening to top 40 Genesis versus the more challenging music attempted by Peter Gabriel. Despite the lack of experimentation and depth, Genesis did turn out one serviceable song after another, and a few of these songs are excellent.

This CD focuses on the Phil Collins years, which makes sense from the title, "The Hits". As I noted above, Peter Gabriel was trying for a more cutting edge and artistic sound that some consider to be progressive rock. Typically that type of rock doesn't make for commercial hits, though the music is often artistically better than released singles. The CD also includes one song from the post-Phil Collins years, "Congo". Thus there is at least an attempt to represent Genesis throughout the group's existence.

I was surprised to hear more keyboards in these songs than I remembered hearing. One of the characteristics of many popular 80s groups was their heavy reliance on synthesizers and other keyboards, and Genesis was no exception. As an example, "Abacab" from 1981 was strongly keyboard oriented.

From the title, this CD must focus on Genesis' hits, and it certainly does. "Invisible Touch", "I Can't Dance", "No Son of Mine", and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" are among the numerous top 40 hits that Genesis seemed to churn out regularly throughout the 80s into the early 90s. There is much to listen to from these songs, and it's the inclusion of these songs that make this CD perfect for the casual fan. However, there is more on this CD.

"I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" is a reggae-influenced song featuring the original five-member lineup from 1973s "Selling England by the Pound". This song seems a little out of place in comparison to the predominantly middle-of-the-road pop selections featured on this CD. The intro has a very progressive sound that becomes a flavor as the song evolves. The full-bodied sound is more alternative and challenging than much of Genesis' pop music years.

Another song that seems a bit out of place is "Congo". This song from the post-Phil Collins CD "Calling All Stations" still retains a pop flavor, but with four members in the lineup and a styling that could recall Duran Duran at the peak of their popularity. I enjoy this song and am tempted to either borrow or buy the CD from which it comes to see whether the other music on that CD is consistent with this song.

The last out of place song is a 1999 remake of "The Carpet Crawlers" from 1974s "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", hailed by some as a great progressive album. Several other reviewers have stated that this song is a great improvement over the original, and wish the rest of the album would be re-recorded. This song does sound good, but it is not a pop song. In some ways I would consider this particular song the best from this entire CD. I have considered buying "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" since it has been compared to other progressive albums I have enjoyed.

You know what you are going to get with a Genesis "hits" CD. The pop was solid, generally very listenable and good; little in the way of breakthrough music. However, at least three of the songs give you a flavor of the breadth of which Genesis was capable. For the casual fan that enjoys Genesis' top 40 music, I highly recommend this CD. For those that preferred Genesis before Phil Collins became the lead vocalist, you may want to stick to buying the albums from the Peter Gabriel era.

From Foxtrot through Wind and the Wuthering, Genesis were possibly the best art-rock band in the world, during probably the most fertile period for art-rock ever. Then, with Steve Hackett's departure, came the slow change into a pop-oriented hit machine. What you get here, for the most part, are the highlights of that second era. There's nothing wrong with hits, but while this is all competent, listenable stuff, it's mostly lightyears away from the music that inspired--and continues to inspire--such worship from the knowing. It's not a little ironic that the best moment on here by far is the remake of Carpet Crawlers, a track from the golden era's "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway."

If you doubt me, try Trick of the Tail or Wind and the Wuthering. Or, for the more adventurous, go to the pots of gold: Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound and Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

dap

This delivers what it says on the cover: The hits. As they only had the one hit single with Peter Gabriel ('I know what I like', a UK#21) the compilation comes across as a bit lop-sided. To compensate for this there is an excellent remake of 'Carpet Crawlers' which leaves you wishing that they could re-record the whole of 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' and make it so this good. The rest is a perfunctory list of the hits which means that some of the drippy songs from 'Invisible Touch' and 'We Can't Dance' are included over much better singles that didn't chart so highly ('Keep it Dark', 'Duchess', 'Man on the Corner', 'Home By the Sea' etc.) Also some of their best songs are edited versions but for a casual fan this is probably fine.

I am possibly one of the precious few who thought that the commercial flop 'Calling All Stations' was actually rather good (possibly the best since 'Abacab') and its nice to see they saw fit to include 'Congo'.

I would like to have seen the new version of 'Carpet Crawlers' released as a single so that long time fans don't have to fork out for songs that they already own.

The Hits...Need I say more...the history and music of Genesis is long and diverse, and this collection is about their most popular songs. All 18 songs are worthy to be represented here. All considering, there is a nice balance here. Powerful rockers Abacab, Mama, Tonight Tonight Tonight, endearing ballads Misunderstanding, Hold On My Heart, In Too Deep. Genesis has always shown a wry sense of humor..I Can't Dance and Jesus He Knows Me.. fit the bill nicely.

The 3 most unique songs.. I Know What I Like, their first hit single from 1973, 1997's Congo which comes from the very underrated Calling All Stations featuring new singer Ray Wilson..and a terrific & newly recorded version of 1974's The Carpet Crawlers.. features Phil Collins, Steve Hackett and Peter Gabriel..yes Peter Gabriel was in Genesis! This "new" classic is a special treat to all Genesis fans.

This collection is ideal for the casual fan but this is only a taste of Genesis. If you enjoy this collection, earlier albums such as A Trick Of The Tail and Wind & Wuthering are must listens..you won't be dissapointed.

IF it weren't for 2 Peter Gabriel songs (including an odd remake of Carpet Crawlers) and Congo this album could have been called Phil Collings - Hits Vol. 2: The Genesis Years. There was no Lamb Lies Down on Broadway here. Most of the classic Genesis songs with Collins are on here though including all the classics from the Abacab, Genesis, Invisible Touch, and We Can't Dance albums. Still songs like No Reply and Paperlate were discluded from the set. Some of the songs like Tonight Tonight Tonight, Abacab, and Mama werre edited severely too. I saw that the disc was pretty full when the Cd was over at 78 minutes but I would of been happier with a 2 CD set that gave the full versions and some Peter Gabriel songs too. Though I can't argue that the songs on here aren't good. Every song is great and its nice that Congo is available on this Cd so one doesn't have to waste his or her money buying their latest flop "Calling All Stations". This is a great CD and I highly recomend it for the casual listener.