Genesis
Abacab

Weak, feeble, pointless, soulless! Abacab!

Identity card: Artist: Genesis Title: Abacab Year: 1981 Consists of: 9 songs Type of album: unreleased Genre(s): pop music

Genesis, after a long period of glory as a predominantly progressive band, underwent the departure of their leader and singer, Peter Gabriel, musical genius, river of ideas, composer of melodies, soul of the band, but decided to move forward, despite the loss, and produced two good albums of unreleased songs plus a superb and very enjoyable live album. It is 1977! Steve Hackett, guitarist of the English formation, leaves after 6 years of service. Once again, the remaining members decide to continue their career.

The first album by Genesis, made up of only 3 members, could not have a more appropriate title: "And then there were three." What sadness! The next work is not bad: "Duke" is a sort of return to the origins with concessions to a new, more commercial genre. Tradition and innovation meet! An admirable solution! But, as we all know, repeating oneself is difficult, and, despite trying to do one's best, many times one falls after being at the top! Genesis are aware of their radical change of style, they know they can no longer return to the origins! Measure, the worst they could take: "Abacab" is born. There is a crisis within the group: few ideas, little truly useful and quality material. Instead of stopping, Genesis continues; the irreducible 3 do not want to give up success, and in fact, they have sold out.

Songs like "Abacab" and "Who dunnit" speak for themselves. "Do you think I'm to blame?" Collins sings in the first, as if to say, "Is it my fault that we've reached this point?" Yes! There's no need to justify yourself! "Was it you or was it me?... Who dunnit?" More blatant than this! The band justifies itself, defends itself, somehow does not want to feel guilty for the change for the worse! The only piece worthy of listening and moderately sufficient is Dodo/Lurker, lasting 7 minutes, in which there are some good ideas. "Me and Sarah Jane" and "Keep it dark" represent two typically commercial and rather pretentious tracks.

"Abacab" is an album that would have done better to remain in the drawer, a mostly mediocre work, a stab in the music, an album unworthy of the name "Genesis." Abacab: "Another record"!

5/10