ACTING VERY STRANGE

If Yes had released "90125" right after "Close To The Edge", you would have been pretty freakin' disappointed, right? I mean, the progressive-pop that comprised the comeback album (90125) for Yes just wouldn't have compared to the quintessential prog album (CTTE) against which all others are measured. (I still genuflect whenever I refer to the sacred CTTE!)

So you see, "Acting Very Strange" is not really a bad album. It was just a huge disappointment to the progger in me after his extraordinary debut solo release "Smallcreep's Day" (the undeniably BEST solo album from ANY member of Genesis EVER!).

Very tight playing, as one should expect from the quality musicians that he surrounds himself with here again. Lots more guitar (frequently distorted), and not much in the way of keyboards.

Count me IN as one of the few who think Rutherford's vocals are good. They weren't what I was expecting at all, and really sound a lot like Peter Gabriel on some songs.

Personally, I only desire to hear "Halfway There" and "Hideaway" these days. The other songs can tend to get a bit tedious and repetitive, especially in the fading outros.

Can't condemn the guy for doing a rather fun, poppish album; it's just not my cup of tea. (2-1/2 stars really)

Fans of Genesis and prog best look elsewhere.