...AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...

The point at which many diehard fans gave up and turned away in disgust, with now Gabriel AND Hackett missing. The trouble for me is that I was a 14 yo when this was released, I got it as soon as it was released, and Collins singing was my first introduction to the band, and I loved it.

Looking back over the years, and acknowledging the genius that came before this album, I am still of the opinion that it is a very good LP and I still enjoy putting it on now.

There are, if people care to listen, some great prog moments, and Down and Out starts it off very well. Rutherford really steps up to the plate replacing Hackett on lead guitars, as much as I regret his passing. The drum work is excellent and Banks continues his by now trademark wall of sound keyboards from the previous LP.

I love Undertow, and it is particularly apt in the deep mid winter here in the UK and elsewhere. I like the feeling of defiance and utterly no regret at what has passed in life before in these lyrics. Again, Collins drum work is superb and the sound produced in the chorus is pure prog. I always rated Banks above all other keyboard players, including the maestro Wakeman himself, and he shines here with a magnificent crecendo of noise.

Yes, Ballad of Big is silly, but it is fun as well with a fantastic singalong chorus. I think Collins shines on this and the whole LP.

Snowbound is a rather throwaway track - nice but by no means essential and it is for this that the LP really only deserves four stars. This was the start of a pattern of worryingly weak tracks which rather detracted from the excellence of all else.

For example - Burning Rope, a track which has to be near the top ten of most Genesis tracks. Rutherford brings a rockier feel to the band's guitars and Banks moves his song along at a great pace. Again, Collins roars along with complex drum patterns and meaningful, soulful lyrics. This track continues the rather melancholic, wintry feel to the words...Yet only eagles seem to pass on through. It is also a rarity in that the track starts with the chorus. An outstanding piece of work which convinced me that this was a band worth sticking with. Just listen to Rutherford's guitar solo in the middle.

Deep in the Motherlode tells very well the story of loss of innocence in the great American gold rush, and contains some brilliant keyboard & guitar interaction toward the end period. Many too Many is simply fantastic. Say it's all right Joe proved that Collins could, when pressed, tell as good a story as Gabriel and also act it out on stage - you see and emphasise with the bum of the title. Scenes from a Nightdream is a fantastic commercial prog song, with poor little Nemo on a knife edge. All parents will emphasise with the darker elements of nightmares of children in this song.

The Lady Lies keeps the album chugging along at a brisk pace. And then we come to the heresy....yes, it's a hit single...Top of the Pops, Nationwide (well, I am getting on!) & etc. And do you know what, I really don't care. I've lost count of the number of fans who were introduced to the band by this track and then became hooked on proper prog as a result. Even if they didn't, it's an excellent pop song, well played, and utterly effective. Good on them.

I heartily award this album 4 stars. It has a fantastic feel, in spite of the melancholic nature of the lyrics. It is the sound of a band very determined to prove, stubbornly, that they would continue to survive. And, yes, there was still some great stuff to come.

Get over your prejudices - buy it - you'll enjoy it!