ABACAB

'Abacab' signifies a huge change of direction for Genesis, evident with the previous album 'Duke'. Following on the coat-tails of Phil's first solo outing, a rather huge success, the band realised they could compose and play relatively stream-lined tunes and make 'big bucks' - not that the band actually quite hit the motherlode as yet.

This album has a rather 'pedestrian' feel to it, a couple of longer tracks which aren't really 'prog' ('Abacab' and 'Dodo/Lurker') - actually, Genesis knew how to compose lengthy pop-songs, but methinks they were only paying 'lip-service' to their prog heritage, keeping only the die-hard fans pleased and prog-lovers frustrated. And Phil, bringing in the Earth,Wind and Fire horn section for the song 'No Reply at All', which only boasts a nifty bass-line from Rutherford, is quite a sad blow. 'Me and Sara Jane' is an interesting track, full of changes, it kind of sounds awkward hearing this after the previous track. 'Keep It Dark' is a basic pop-song, but the chorus section's keyboard work is pure Tony Banks (naturally), both in progression, and in phrasing.

'Who Dunnit?' may be a quirky experiment by pop standards, but I fail to see what it's getting at, a definate low-point, and a rather lame composition coming from those who helped to create such magnificent tracks like 'Supper's Ready' and 'Firth of Fifth'. 'Man on the Corner' sounds like an out-take from Phil's solo album, but is quite a pleasant tune to hear regardless. 'Like it or Not' is barely listenable thanks to its blandness, and the closing track 'Another Record', save for a lovely intro which holds promise, is pretty droll. With the two epic pop tunes ; 'Abacab' is a 'four-on-the-floor' danceable tune with a strong keyboard prescence, and the second half of the track is instrumental with some mediocre keyboard work and a brief bit of lead guitar - it's not all bad, though. With the opening bars of 'Dodo', we can all prick up our ears and get excited for a few moments, but the feeling diminishes somewhat with the vocal section, then the opening motif is repeated and we can all get excited again, and then 'Lurker' appears in all its goofiness, with some quirky keyboards and Phil's humourous vocals.

Overall, an un-even album, with very little there for prog-heads to indulge in, but I know of people who really go for 'Abacab' and dislike 'A Trick of the Tail' !!! 2 stars.