Abacab

Early in 1981, drummer and vocalist Phil Collins released his debut solo album, Face Value. Featuring the single "In the Air Tonight" b/w "The Roof is Leaking," it was a huge success, reaching the top of the UK and US charts, and launching Collins to superstar status during the 80s and early 90s. It was Collins then that brought engineer Hugh Padgham along when Genesis reconvened at their Farm Studio in Surrey to record their 11th studio album, Abacab. A play on the arrangement of the title track, "Abacab" opens, revealing an altogether different Genesis: sparser, and with a reliance on synthesizers, there's a simplicity to the sound here that belies the band's artistry-laden past. Harsh drums, big synth lines and an almost jam-like ending still contain an edge, but the music is light years from the band's progressive rock of the 70s. Only Tony Banks's "Me and Sarah Jane" and Mike Rutherford's "Like It or Not" ever so gently reach back towards the band's previous work. "Keep It Dark" lumbers over Collins's plodding drums, while "Dodo / Lurker" and "Who Dunnit?" similarly offer a rough edge. Collins's "Man on The Corner," built over a chirping drum pattern, is firmly of the new era. In fact, the band recorded enough material for a double-album during the sessions, but relinquished what they deemed too similar to their past to b-sides and elsewhere. Complete with horns from Earth, Wind & Fire, the R&B of "No Reply at All" b/w "Naminanu" was a huge hit, rising to No. 2 in the US. Released in September, the album too was a success on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the US. It also serves as the dividing line between the Genesis of the 70s, and the Genesis of the new era. Following the album's release, the band embarked on a worldwide tour, culminating in the double-album Three Sides Live in 1982. In the US, the fourth side contained tracks from the 3x3 EP, while the UK version included live material from their 70s repertoire. The tour was the first to feature Vari-Lite technology, one that the band's investment helped create. For the next few years, Genesis would reign supreme in popular music, with further platinum and No. 1 albums, numerous hit singles and the runaway success of Collins's solo career—at least until the early 90s, when the reappraisal began.