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Abacab was released in fall of 1981 after the debut of Phil Collins' first solo album, Face Value, which had gone mulit-platinum thanks to radio staples like In the Air Tonight and I Missed Again. Collins sang more personal songs and utilized players from different genres including The Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire to get a poppier sound. When Genesis reconvened at The Farm, their Surrey estate with their own studio converted from an old barn, they had already begun to evolve from their proggy past. Their 1980 effort Duke showed that they were leaning towards shorter and more radio friendly songs like Turn It On Again. Abacab is the next step in that direction.
The single version of the title track has a driving beat and modern melody provided by Tony Banks and the latest synth toys of the day, despite the nonsensical title (there is a reason, we'll get there). But true to their prog roots the album version is 7 minutes with an extended jam/exploration bit. No Reply At All featured The Phenix Horns, the first time non-band members played on a Genesis album. Those hits would eventually help push the album to double platinum in the US and 7 on the Billboard chart. But much of the rest of the album are laments about opportunities missed or relationships that changed or electronic symphonies that ebb and flow. One song may be the worst in the entire Genesis catalog.
in 1983, they would release their self titled album which was their biggest yet and then in 1986 Invisible Touch made them one of the biggest bands on the planet. Phil Collins solo career would explode through the mid-80s and was everywhere. But on Abacab they weren't there yet. They were coming in to jam together to discover the directions they could go and evolving with the times. It's an interesting phase for the band as they were on the cusp of great success.
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