Genesis founder Anthony Phillips reveals the albums he’s most proud of
When you are someone like Genesis founder Anthony Phillips, who has a massive history in music and is responsible for an exciting variation of sounds, it must be almost impossible to pick your favourite piece of work. Each album will no doubt go beyond a listening experience, and instead of just judging the sound, as the creator, you will likely feel the process and your emotions at the time as well. Nevertheless, when asked, Phillips did not hesitate to provide an answer.
As the founder of Genesis and the frontrunner for his solo projects, Phillips had plenty of different records from which he could have chosen. There is no doubt that when he listens back to music, he does so with fresh ears. As he said recently in an interview, Phillips waits two years after release before listening to any of his own material.
“I find it very hard to listen to any of my old albums without feeling ‘must do better’,” he said. “Generally, I have a ‘two-year rule’ between completion and listening again: that way, you’ve forgotten what you were aiming for (probably something quite illusory anyway!), and then initially, it sounds okay and a nice surprise. With each subsequent listen – as is necessary when re-mastering – the pain and dissatisfaction threshold rises. Best to keep moving on.”
As for picking an actual favourite, though he struggles to determine with absolute certainty, a couple came to mind. “No favourites really, though. Geese still has idealism of youth writ large across it and Slow Dance has moments of which I’m quite proud.”
Interestingly, both of his albums come from solo projects instead of Genesis albums. There is no explicit reason provided as to why this is, but given he takes time out before listening to one of his projects again, it’s likely on those where he had complete creative control, he finds it easier to connect with them after time has passed over other albums where more people have been involved.
Again, it’s also likely the albums appeal to him on levels that stem further than just what he can listen to. There will also be emotions that arise from listening that date back to when he recorded the music. When talking about The Geese & the Ghost, Phillips refers to an “idealism of youth” that he has written across it.
It’s always exciting hearing about the albums recording artists are most proud of, as they never usually reflect what the listener believes. Sometimes, there is so much of a disconnect with what is literally on the album that it becomes impossible for creators to view their music purely as just music. We, as listeners, can be happy that there is such a vast body of work to enjoy, regardless of whether our favourites align with Anthony Phillips’.
