I realize I'm potentially opening myself up to a lot of flak here but I'm goin' out on the limb anyway: Genesis is a damn fine rock band. They sustained themselves for over three decades, survived numerous personnel changes and created some of the more memorable pop songs of the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties. Before drummer/vocalist Phil Collins succumbed to the siren song of adult contemporary and began doling out limp, world music-flavored records and whoring himself out to Disney, he was the percussive engine that, after founding member Peter Gabriel departed in 1975 (and who became a superstar in his own right; for those curious, Gabriel does appear on this disc), propelled Genesis to considerable heights in the mid-Eighties and on into the Nineties. Collins left the group in 1992 at the height of "We Can't Dance" mania – he would be replaced by Ray Wilson, who along with keyboardist Tony Banks and guitarist Mike Rutherford (the only two that survived the duration of Genesis' existence), would record the poorly received 1997 LP "Calling All Stations."

A group that's sold over 100 million records worldwide, Genesis is a trio ripe for re-visiting; some of their classic videos – "Land of Confusion," "Invisible Touch" – were MTV staples during the cable channel's nascent years and remain semi-dated touchstones. Rhino has collected a staggering 32 videos (every clip ever filmed by the band, dating back to the late Seventies) as a visual companion to the recently released three-CD "Genesis: Platinum Collection." Touted as the first time all of Genesis' videos have been available on DVD and as charting the band's evolution from prog-rock obsessed noodlers to bajillion-selling arena rock gods, it's a great chance to sit down and revel in the effortless mastery with which the core Eighties group of Collins, Rutherford and Banks built a formidable career.

Some of these clips hold up better than others (particularly the ones that traffic in heavy-handed Eighties imagery) and it's pretty clear that Collins is infinitely more comfortable in front of the camera than his bandmates – nevertheless, the songs are what drives this DVD release and what a selection: several Top 10 smashes and many cuts that remain firmly lodged in heavy rotation on those stations that play "the hits of yesterday, today and tomorrow."

Rhino has set this DVD up in a mildly annoying but informative way – the videos aren't playable back-to-back and to get to the clips, you must first navigate through two screens: one lists the title and the second lists information such as the video's director, the pertinent album, etc. You can select the songs from a menu screen that lists all of the titles but can't skip straight to the video. In lieu of a play all feature, the disc will automatically continue forward unless you go back to the menu – but in continuing forward, it skips the second info page and merely lists the title before going into the clip.

The track listing is as follows:

"No Son of Mine," from 1991's "We Can't Dance"
"I Can't Dance," from 1991's "We Can't Dance"
"Hold On My Heart," from 1991's "We Can't Dance"
"Jesus He Knows Me," from 1991's "We Can't Dance"
"Tell Me Why?," from 1991's "We Can't Dance"
"Invisible Touch," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"Throwing It All Away," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"Land of Confusion," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"Tonight Tonight Tonight," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"Anything She Does," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"In Too Deep," from 1987's "Invisible Touch"
"That's All," from 1983's "Genesis"
"Mama," from 1983's "Genesis"
"Illegal Alien," from 1983's "Genesis"
"Home By The Sea/Second Home By The Sea," from 1983's "Genesis"
"Paperlate," from 1982's "Three Sides"
"Abacab," from 1981's "Abacab"
"Keep It Dark," from 1981's "Abacab"
"No Reply At All," from 1981's "Abacab"
"Man on the Corner," from 1981's "Abacab"
"Turn It On Again," from 1980's "Duke"
"Duchess," from 1980's "Duke"
"Misunderstanding," from 1980's "Duke"
"Follow You Follow Me," from 1978's "...And Then There Were Three"
"Many Too Many," from 1978's "...And Then There Were Three"
"A Trick of the Tail," from 1976's "A Trick of the Tail"
"Ripples," from 1976's "A Trick of the Tail"
"Robbery Assault and Battery," from 1976's "A Trick of the Tail"
"Congo," from 1997's "Calling All Stations"
"Shipwrecked," from 1997's "Calling All Stations"
"Not About Us," from 1997's "Calling All Stations"
"Carpet Crawlers 1999," from 1974's "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"

The DVD

The Video:

Genesis: The Video Show presents the videos as originally aired in 1.33:1 fullscreen (or in some cases, non-anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen) – admittedly, a lot of these clips haven't aged well and show that wear in the form of softness, flaring and occasionally exhibiting slight damage. I was surprised that while the audio was remastered to sterling effect, the image wasn't likewise given a digital spit and polish.

DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby 2.0 stereo are on board here and quite frankly, sound utterly fantastic – DTS often oh-so-slightly edges out Dolby Digital in terms of warmth and clarity but you can't go wrong with either of the surround tracks offered. From the deep, satisfying thump of Collins' drums to the dizzying guitar work of Rutherford, I'd wager these songs haven't sounded this fresh since being recorded.

Here's the one major drawback to this collection, and what stops me from unequivocally recommending Genesis: The Video Show: absolutely no bonus material is included. Given that all three band members (technically, every previous member of Genesis – Wilson, Steve Hackett and co-founder Anthony Philips are the other three former members) are alive and well, I'm stunned that Rhino didn't see fit to at least get some interviews on tape. With the Directors Label series setting the new gold standard for music video compilations, this collection of clips definitely pales in comparison. It's to this DVD's detriment that not a scrap of supplement can be found anywhere.

Despite the aggravating lack of supplemental material, Genesis: The Video Show remains a no-brainer for fans of the group. Those unfamiliar with this staple of Eighties radio would do well to pick up this compilation or its CD equivalent, "Platinum Collection." I can't recommend this disc highly enough for fans and those who can't get "Invisible Touch" out of their heads. Highly recommended.