Search - Genesis :: Abacab (W/Dvd)

'Abacab' is easily one of the best albums from 1981

Johnny Boy | Hockessin, DE | 08/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While many people are really into Genesis' 1983-1992 poppier material, I prefer this type of Genesis. The 1969-1982 Genesis gave us the best progressive rock of the decade. 1981's 'Abacab,' in my opinion, is the last truly great Genesis album before they became "Phil Collins' band."



Okay, I'll admit it. I am not a big Phil Collins listener (solo career, that is). Sure, he is a heck of a drummer and has an incredible voice, but I wasn't crazy about Genesis as the '80s progressed. I think the next three Genesis albums ('Genesis,' 1983; 'Invisible Touch,' 1986; 'We Can't Dance,' 1991) were Collins solo albums with Rutherford and Banks just playing along.



But back to 'Abacab.' The 2007 remaster has been long needed. The 1994 remaster contained the edited version of 'Abacab'; this one, fortunately, doesn't. The remaster is incredible!



While the songs aren't as good as their previous effort, 1980's 'Duke,' they are still incredible! 'Abacab,' 'Another Record,' 'Dodo/Lurker,' 'Man On The Corner,' 'Like It Or Not' and 'No Reply At All' are all crown jewels in Genesis' catalog.



Overall, if you haven't bought 'Abacab' or you have but you want a copy with the full length 7 minute version of the title track, than you are in luck! Forget the '94 remaster. Throw that copy away. This is the one to own.



Highly recommended for any Genesis fan. This is an essential release, and it belongs in any record collector's collection!



ENJOY!!!"

You will believe a band can fly.....

Aparato SuperSonico | Orlando, FL | 01/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I owned the original 1981 LP pressing from my high school days and the original CD pressing from at least 15 years ago. Though I thought i was satisfied with both versions, I took a chance and bought this 2 disc remastered set by Rhino. It blew my socks off! I heard instruments and sounds that were muted or barely audible in the LP or CD versions! The music sounds richer, brighter, and it sounds as it if was recorded yesterday, not 18 years ago. And at this price ($10 bucks?!?!?), it's a STEAL! Buy it! And then dump your old CD on eBay!"

Keep It Great!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 01/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a Genesis album I owned on cassette for awhile now.I reviewed it once already here but in the context of hearing it as part of the boxed set Genesis 1976-1982,I hear it in a new context.So here goes my new review. As if Duke (and to a lesser extent And Then There Were Three) didn't bring Genesis over to the pop side this album sure did. This is the album where Genesis made the full transition from anything prog or fusion over to mainstream pop rock. Not that the fusion touches aren't present on the song "Dodo/Lurker" and the bizzare,creepy "Who Dunnit?" but in general this is a full pop album.The best part is that the title track,"Keep It Dark","Man In The Corner" and "Another Record" rock like nobody's business! One thing I like about this album is that it is devoted primarily to uptempo tunes that are very striking and drum oriented. In fact in a lot of ways this album is somewhat close to the sound of Invisible Touch from five years later,only there's more emphasis on rhythm then on synthesizers. In fact,for purely rhythms sake "No Reply At All" is without a doubt the most R&B-ish hit Genesis ever had and I am not even counting the participation of EWF's Phenix Horns. The fact that Phil Collins's career was in full swing at this point it started to become a point of contention to some hard core Genesis fans that the group seemed to be becomming a backing band for Phil's solo ideas and ambitions. That's really.....humorous considering that,as with Duke before it,this is an extremely collaberative album musical. The trio that has now become Genesis never sounded more like a band then they did on these first two albums they did in the 80's-they each work of their strenghs and weaknessess and even though they aren't going as far to make these serious musical statements they do sound as if they're beginning to have fun."