Genesis

Abacab

You guys are vicious! Calm down for a minute..

Review Score:

(8/10)
Like many Genesis fans, I stopped caring after Wind and Wuthering. After Steve left, what point was there?

But one needs to remember the other three guys were consummate musicians. Listening to this album, you can catch the art rock past mixed with the pop future, and it works beautifully. Those who like longer songs with instrumentals, like myself, can enjoy "Dodo," and the title track. Even the shorter songs on here are still near the 5 minute mark. Among these, the intro to "Another Record" is very cool and "Keep it Dark" is enjoyable and just long enough.

The rest of this could have probably fit onto "The Lamb" if the lyrics were altered. Nothing much changed when Steve left except a new direction, which all bands take. Imagine if the Beatles had kept making Hard Day's Night. We'd get bored after 11 albums. It was time for a change.

Besides, the term progressive means moving music forward. This was moving pop music forward with unusual beats, clever arrangements and an overall effect that did not pander to the listener. Not every experiment works (Who Dunnit) but the nature of prog rock is to try it anyway. That's why we listen.

In the Genesis repertoire, this is one of the finer albums, just as listenable as Trespass and better than the second half of The Lamb Lies Down. Despite what one may think about the "sellout," they should realize the band did not sell out. They just moved in a different direction.

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