Ticket 2 Ride

Abacab (1981) was a strange album that I warmed to back in the day. I tried, but it never happened. Frankly, after Duke, I was disappointed. My opinion was a harsh, dark, dense album of uninviting music.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Genesis, but what was this Abacab album? What did the title mean? Nothing, it was how sections of the song were initially ordered.

I have a remastered copy of the CD from 2007, which sounds very bright and crisp, and just from the improved sound is much more inviting for a deep listen. This is the industrial sounding Genesis album. It’s very much an 80s sound. The band cut ties with their longtime producer David Hentschel, opting to self produce the album and use Hugh Padgham, who had worked with Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. Padgham would become a top producer of the era. Abacab was the first album Genesis recorded at The Farm, their new recording studio.

Genesis without Steve Hackett means few if any guitar solos, mostly the instrument is pushed to the background and used for rhythm and occasional fills. Tony Banks’ synth rules, particularly the new synths of the day. Mike Rutherford handles the bass and guitar parts in the studio. Losing Hackett didn’t stop the band’s forward trajectory in the 1980s – this was the decade of the synth, unless you were a heavy metal band. I like to wonder if Genesis had found a strong guitar player who also wrote and sang.

All tracks written by Banks, Collins and Rutherford unless otherwise noted.

“Abacab” is certainly more enjoyable, the roughness is actually inviting. The toughness of the guitars and synths are great. I did say guitars because it’s one of the few songs on the album that the guitar is more than a walk-on, although it still plays a supporting role to Mr. Banks’ keyboards. My appreciation of this song has grown, although it wouldn’t come close to a favorite track.

“No Reply” is one of my favorite songs. It’s got that rhythm that shuffles a bit, an R&B groove. The EWF horns are great. This is the prototype Phil Collins/Genesis song of the 80s.

“Me and Sarah Jane” is one of the weaker songs on the album. Banks wrote this one.

“Keep it Dark” is my favorite song on the album. Right from the beginning, the song rocks. Rutherford gives it the hook with his guitar, but it’s Banks that makes it soar on the chorus.

“Dodo/Lurker” joins two songs, average at best. This is ELP-Keith Emerson territory with the synth solos.

“Who Dunnit?” kind of an annoying song, repetitive vocal gibberish. Not very interesting. Simplistic lyrics that go nowhere.

“Man on the Corner” was written by Collins. Drum machine and bass synth is typical of Collins’ writing in the 80s. Slow groove, programmed beat. Heavy processed drums join in as the tempo speeds up.

“Like it or Not” was written by Rutherford. A fine song, not groundbreaking, but very melodic in a dark way.

“Another Record” has a great intro. This song had great possibilities, just not realized. The band needed more time and ideas to really develop this song.

Final analysis…

If I were to assign a grade, B-, because there are too many peaks and valleys. The good stuff is very good, but the rest is filler, generic Genesis at best. I’m glad that I gave this album a couple of listens. Honestly, outside of appreciating “Abacab” more, some of the other songs reminded me of why this album was in the back part of my collection. Situated between Duke and Genesis, Abacab is a lesser effort.