Abacab [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Genesis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 29, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002J2H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,204 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another great album--where the "new" Genesis truly arrived, December 28, 2004

By 

Dave "missing person" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abacab (Audio CD)

I find it interesting to see other reviewers pointing out that "Abacab", originally released in September of 1981, was a huge departure for Genesis--it's an excellent point, because, indeed, this is the album that truly marks the beginning of the "pop"-era Genesis, as it's generally referred to. There's a certain timeless gloss & punchiness here that sets this album apart from all of the Genesis albums that came before it, and it 'sets the stage', so to speak, for their next couple of albums that followed. It's not exactly a coincidence either--David Hentschel who co-produced the previous two albums was gone, & this album was engineered by Hugh Padgham who had also engineered and assisted on Phil Collins' debut solo album from earlier the same year. "Abacab" was also the first album the group recorded at their own studio. Now, don't get the wrong idea--contrary to what certain people will try to make you believe, this is not an album of light & frothy 'sell-out' pop songs. The level of musical intelligence & sophistication is still astonishing, & track after track is intoxicatingly catchy. The 7+ minute title track starts the album off with a bang--it's got an arresting moody atmosphere, & it's simply loaded with savvy keyboard & guitar licks from Tony Banks & Mike Rutherford respectively, laid over Phil Collins' crisp drumming. Tony Banks' solo composition "Me And Sarah Jane" is a definitive example of his compositional brilliance--it flows seamlessly from section to section, working its way through different moods; it truly takes you on a journey. "Dodo" starts off with an exciting, dramatic blast before the irresitible synth riff kicks in, and it's followed by an arrestingly contemplative minor-keyed section before eventually working its way back to the opening section in thrilling fashion. All that said, this ain't a run of the mill "pop" album by any means! Yes, there are some strongly pop-rock-flavored tracks, but they're great in their own right like the highly melodic "No Reply At All" with its strangely hyperactive keyboards; Phil's haunting ballad "Man On the Corner"; & Mike's plodding, yet soulful & soaring ballad "Like It Or Not" with wonderfully passionate Phil vocals. "Keep It Dark" is ultra-crafty, both musically and lyrically, with an intoxicating chorus. And the album's most notorious track--the jokey, quasi-atonal & repetitive "Who Dunnit?"--is exhilirating silly. Quite simply, "Abacab" is one in a long string of masterpiece albums that Genesis put out. Like so many of their other albums, "Abacab" is a supremely rich listening experience from an astonishingly creative & consistent band.

(P.S. During the "Abacab" sessions, Genesis recorded one of their best songs ever--the beautiful, epic pop-rocker "You Might Recall"--but they left it off the album. Check it out on either the original US version of "Three Sides Live", or on the "Archive #2" box set.)

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I think we know who the real poser is., May 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Abacab (Audio CD)

Genesis did not "stab their fans in the back" with Abacab. The "fans" who felt this way (like trickoftail and all the rude boo-ers from the Abacab tour) were never really Genesis fans in the first place. They were just progressive rock fans who liked Yes/ELP/Rush etc. and some of the longer epic pieces and concept albums that Genesis did.

Yes, Abacab doesn't sound like early Genesis or other early prog bands...so what? It's still a great album full of fresh, creative ideas. Progressive rock isn't the only good style of music on the planet. To say that this is on the same level as Backstreet Boys or N'Sync is just plain ignorant, just as it is to say that it sounds just like Phil Collins' solo material. The only songs that sound anything like Phil solo on this album are No Reply At All and Man On The Corner, the rest are definitely Genesis songs.

Bottom line: if you only like the prototypical "progressive" side of Genesis, like the 10-minute epics and the long keyboard/guitar solos and the classical-sounding arrangements and the concept albums, then you might not like this album. But if you like bands that aren't afraid to change their sound and experiment with new ideas (which is the REAL meaning of "progressive"), then give this one a chance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Genesis' last Rock album... before they went Top 40, October 9, 2006

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Abacab (Audio CD)

THE BAND: Mike Rutherford (electric guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals), Phil Collins (lead vocals, drums & percussion), Tony Banks (keyboards, backing vocals).

THE DISC: (1981) 9 songs clocking in at just over 47 minutes. Originally released in September 1981, this digitally remastered edition released in October 1994 (no bonus tracks). Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, thank you's, and a center page listing all albums and album covers released between 1970 and 1993. Recorded at The Farm, Surrey (England). All songs written by Collins, Banks and/or Rutherford. This is Genesis' 11th studio album. Album cover artwork by Bill Smith. Label - Atlantic.

COMMENTS: "Abacab" is my 2nd favorite Phil Collins era Genesis album - behind its predecessor "Duke". In my opinion, this was the last rock album, before the band went totally pop. There are 3 legit chart hits here - perhaps the best song on the album "No Reply At All", followed by "Man On The Corner" and the title track. There was also a great song recorded at the "Abacab" sessions, but NOT included on the album - the song "Paperlate" (later found on the EP, "3x3"). "Abacab" reached #1 in the UK, and #7 in the U.S. (remarkably the first Platinum seller in the U.S.). The 3 hits mentioned above are wonderful Genesis songs. The slow "Man On The Corner" opened the door for Collins with his electronic drum beats and minimalist soundscape format on future Genesis albums as well as Collins' solo material. The Tony Banks authored "Me And Sarah Jane" is an average (filler) song at best... for me, it has a decent beat, but it simply too long at 6 minutes, goes nowhere, and Rutherford's guitars are simply absent. "Dodo/Lurker" is a good song but way too long at seven-and-a-half minutes. "Like It Or Not" and "Another Record" are good songs - both fitting into the slower (almost ballad) category. The one song that brings the whole album experience down is "Who Dunnit?" (thankfully the shortest song here at just over 3 minutes). Dare I say this is one of their worst songs in the entire Genesis library. Regardless, this is a great album and worthy in your collection - just get used to skipping track six (4 stars).