...AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...

It has been so long I have not spun this CD until last night when I was in my car, the classic rock FM station down here in my country aired "Burning Rope" from this album. WOW! man ... my adrenaline exploded! It meant that I had been longing for the music of this album. The keyboard solo in Burning Rope reminded me to my teenage days when I first listened to this album with a very sad feeling due to the departure of the pivotal member of the band: Steve Hackett. Even though his departure was commemorated with a seminal live album Seconds Out, I felt so sad about his departure. Even though, I found later that his solo albums were all excellent. Despite my sad feeling and preconceived mind that Genesis would lose its soul with Hackett's departure [the same preconceived mind I experienced when the vocalist - Peter Gabriel - left the band years before], this album proved that the Genesis sound was still around.

I remember vividly that I first purchased this album in a cassette format sometime in late seventies when the glory of great band started to erode. The music industry was swept by the strong wave of punk rock. Later, when I can afford it, I bought the CD version. I was truly amazed by the fact listening to the opening track Down And Out; it's a wonderfully composed song with a weird time signatures. The disparities of tempo between keyboard and drum beats have made this track weird but it's very unique and enjoyable. Undertow and also Ballad of Big are beautifully composed. Snowbound is a nice song that - I think - has inspired many neo prog bands in later days.

As I mentioned above Burning Rope is a beautiful song with catchy melodies created by keyboard sounds. The song flows nicely from tasty keyboard sounds at the intro part to the transition into quieter passages after singing line by Phil Collins. This song has a strong structure and excellent arrangement. When the music reaches keyboard solo, it sounds nicely and the melody line has landed firmly into my mind and it became a melody that I have kept emulating it as Burning Rope part. Great tune!

Many Too Many is a straight forward slow rock music with a catchy piano and keyboard work. The melody line as sung by Phil Collins is so catchy. The Lady Lies is a masterpiece and it has become my all-time favorite. The composition is great; the structure is tight and cohesive; the melody is killing and . the punchy solo keyboard is truly top notch! The Lady Lies is at par excellent with Gabriel era music, in a bit different vein.

Yes, Hacckett's gone but .. This album is recommended still. Keep on proGGin' ..!!!

Yours progressively,

GW - Indonesia.

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