Abacab by Genesis, album from 1981.
The record definitively marks the abandonment by the trio composed of Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, of the fairytale atmospheres of 1970s progressive rock, to embrace more minimalist and modern pop, new wave, and electronic sounds.
I have spoken at length about this immense band on the occasion of the reviews of their albums, particularly in the section dedicated to Genesis "Genesis: Prog, Pop and the influences of the "Genesis" sound", a band that was my initiation into prog.
The album was a huge commercial success, reaching number 1 in the UK charts and the Top 10 in the United States, and contains hits such as "No Reply at All" (with the Phoenix Horns section from Earth, Wind & Fire), "Keep It Dark" and the melancholic "Man on the Corner" written by Collins.
This is the first album recorded at "The Farm," Genesis' private studio built in a renovated barn in Surrey, England, and also the first album self-produced by Genesis with the collaboration of sound engineer Hugh Padgham, who brought with him the revolutionary "gated reverb" drum sound, already experimented with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel.
The title "Abacab" comes from the original musical structure of the title track. The band members used the letters A (verse), B (chorus), and C (bridge) to remember the sections of the song, and the sequence was precisely A-B-A-C-A-B. Although the final version had a different structure, the name remained.
After years of complex suites and mythological lyrics, Abacab was the great simplification.
The band decided to discard any track that sounded too similar to their old prog style, so pieces like You Might Recall, considered too melodic or classic, were excluded from the original album.
An approach reflected in Bill Smith's artwork made up of only geometric shapes and flat colors, devoid of figurative references, signaling to the listener that the "old" Genesis no longer existed.
Musically, devices from modern and contemporary music were introduced, such as the "Gated Reverb" drums with its explosive and artificial sound and New Wave synthesizers. Tony Banks abandoned mellotrons and classic arpeggios for more percussive and sharp sounds influenced by the post-punk and new wave scene of the time.
- Abacab, the title track, opens the album with a beautiful keyboard riff and a drum rhythm, a hypnotic track, the definitive break with the past.
- No Reply at All, is a very catchy pop-funk piece, with the beautiful horns of the Phoenix Horns (the horns of Earth, Wind & Fire) and a splendid, extremely complex bass line by Mike Rutherford. It strongly recalls Phil Collins' solo pieces.
- Me and Sarah Jane is the only track that maintains a link with progressive rock, a mini-suite that continually changes rhythm and atmosphere, moving from reggae to symphonic pop, a track written by Tony Banks.
- Keep It Dark is a track dominated by a minimal drum loop and an obsessive guitar, very dry, in the band's "new style".
- Dodo / Lurker are two tracks: one, Dodo, with a heavy groove and dark synthesizers, and the other, “Lurker,” is very intense.
- Who Dunnit? is a repetitive, almost disturbing punk-electronic track, born as a joke in the studio.
- Man on the Corner is a beautiful melancholic ballad written by Phil Collins, with the drum machine foreshadowing the style that would bring Collins worldwide success.
- Like It or Not, written by Mike Rutherford, is a rock track with a great vocal performance by Collins and a splendid guitar arrangement.
- Another Record closes the album, with a nice electric piano riff and a jazzy atmosphere.
Excellent Pop-Rock by great musicians who know how to do everything perfectly. In every track there's something great, whether it's the composition, the bass, the piano and keyboard parts, or the vocals. It's a bit like when great chefs cook simple, popular dishes—they are always magnificent and always contain an element that makes them special.
I understood this change of direction by Genesis, I even appreciated some tracks, but personally (to stay on the culinary theme) I never really digested it. A good album, to complete the collection for fans of this band that, Abacab or not, remains immense.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS below the article title or on the "Artists" page
Tracklist
1. Abacab (7:01)
2. No Reply at All (4:40)
3. Me and Sarah Jane (5:59)
4. Keep It Dark (4:31)
5. Dodo / Lurker (7:28)
6. Who Dunnit? (3:22)
7. Man on the Corner (4:26)
8. Like It or Not (4:57)
9. Another Record (4:28)
Duration 46:52
LineUp
- Phil Collins - vocals, drums
- Mike Rutherford - guitars, basses
- Tony Banks - keyboards (Prophet synth)
With:
- The EWF Horns - horns (2)
- Thomas "Tom Tom 84" Washington - horn arrangements (2)
