...AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...

When all prejudices, biases and suppositions are put aside, this is one of Genesis' best albums. There's not a bad song on this record. The ones that are good, are GREAT.

What's all the talk about Hackett this, Hackett that? This recording is NOT about Steve Hackett having left the band, it's about Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins; plain and simple. To me, the glass is MUCH more than half full; in fact, it's flowing over. This is an excellent Genesis album that is much maligned by overly nostalgic fans.

Banks showcases his talents on this album better and much more frequently than on any other Genesis release. Some will say he had to because of Hackett's departure; be it as it may, it turned out to be one of Genesis best records, with or without Gabriel and Hackett.

Of ALL the Genesis records this one is my favorite as far as production is concerned. The mix is VERY THICK. I know of very few prog rock records that match this one for symphonic quality. The string arrangements across multiple channels of the stereo spectrum is nothing short of genius. This recording is a text book on tasteful synth work. The guitars are tracked very tastefully as well. On many of the songs the rythm guitars are double tracked(as is typical on most stereo recordings), but other tracks are used to add color with electric 12 string arpeggios played by Rutherford. The guitar solos are minimalistic and are used sparingly throughout the record. This may be a turnoff to those expecting Fifth Of Firth. Get over it! This ain' yo daddy's Genesis.

This record is VERY progressive, but not in a wacky, quirky, Gabrielesque way. It's progressive in the way the music is arranged. I HIGHLY recommend this recording to anyone who is willing to take the time to sit down and listen to the CD(not the mp3s) with a GOOD pair of headphones. It will make you a believer that this is one of the best produced recordings of the entire genre.

The one constant knock against this album is that the songs are short. You will not find any epics here, but you will find a very even and subtle flow from piece to piece, giving the album a tight coherence, as if though the music is one long song(I credit the consistent production technique). Unlike the abhorable mastering job done on Selling England By The Pound where it was decided to have I Know What I like after Dancing With The Moonlit Knight. What was Genesis thinking?!

I give And Then There Were Three an EASY FIVE STARS, since I have no allegience or devotion to the Gabriel-Hackett era Genesis. I listen with my ears and not my heart.

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