...AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...

Let's clear up some confusion here: a lot of long-time Genesis fans feel Genesis fell apart when Steve Hackett left the band prior to "And Then There Were Three." This isn't true, and this album is very, very good, with great writing and production, and a progressive sound. Genesis' fall from grace was caused not by personnel changes, but rather by attitude changes immediately after this album. This album is, in many ways, as good as its predecessor, "Wind and Wuthering." The album opens with a bang: "Down and Out" is pedal-to-the-metal prog, with huge organ riffs and wild time signatures. "Burning Rope" is a classic mini-epic with inspiring, if not slightly cliché, lyrics. "The Lady Lies" is a great effort at spinning a classic Genesis medieval tale. "Undertow" and "Snowbound" are pleasant ballads. Even the hit single "Follow You Follow Me", which cynics have criticized, has a very pleasant vibe (and is infinitely superior to Wind and Wurthering's awful ballad, "You Have Your Own Special Way.") This is the last good Genesis album. And then there were none...