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Genesis - Abacab CD (album) cover

ABACAB

Genesis

 

Symphonic Prog

2.61 | 1463 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

emperornorton
2 stars Different, but not necessarily good.

They were trying new things here I'm guessing as a result of their hit singles on their last albums. There's still some good prog here. Dodo-Lurker being their best post Duke song (with the exception of mabye Domino). It's a darker song, like most of Genesis's songs. Me and Sara Jane is also rather good.

Everything else ranges from average to awful I'm afraid. But they seemed to still have energy at this point, and at least were still a Rock band. That would change on the next album, where they clearly started to be labeled as a pop band who dabbled in prog and not vice versa. This album is a bit half and half, with some experiments that they would never try again. For example, horns are brought in on No Reply at All, sounding very much like some of Phil's solo work. And Who Dunnit is a strange song to say the least.

There is also a fair share of sappy love ballads that remain quite skippable. And the title track sounds a bit like they were trying to write another Turn It On Again with more keyboard noodling. It doesn't amount to much unfortunately, but was a minor hit.

This is pretty much the turning point album. They alienated much of their original fanbase here. Prog Genesis was pretty much over at this point. Although they would still dabble in prog occasionally after this album, this is probably the last where you could possibly say they were still a "prog" band, and that's stretching it.

| 2/5 |

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