Genesis: Abacab

Abacab marks the moment Genesis stopped apologizing for wanting to be a hit machine, which came to the dismay of long-time prog rock fans. Released in September 1981, it was the first album recorded at their newly built Fisher Lane Farm studio in Surrey and represented a decisive shift away from their progressive roots toward radio friendly accessibility. "Abacab," "No Reply at All," and "Man on the Corner" all charted, and the album went multiplatinum in both the US and UK. Critics at the time dismissed it as selling out. Four decades later, it sounds like a band at the peak of their powers under Collins, confident enough to embrace pop without losing their identity.

Hugh Padgham engineered and co produced, bringing the gated reverb drum sound that would define the 1980s. His work with Phil Collins on Face Value earlier that year established the template, and Abacab applies that sonic signature across an entire Genesis record. Love it or hate it, that drum sound is an integral part of what this album is.

The Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Series reissue gives Abacab the audiophile treatment as part of Atlantic Records' 75th anniversary celebration. The album is spread across four sides at 45 RPM on 180g vinyl pressed at QRP. Mastering was handled from the original analog master tapes, maintaining an all analog chain throughout. The Stoughton tip on gatefold jacket is the quality you expect from this series.

Sonically, this pressing delivers exactly what Padgham's production demands. Phil Collins' drums have incredible definition across the entire pressing. The gated reverb effect that some find dated comes through with crystal clarity, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your relationship with 1980s production aesthetics. Tony Banks' synthesizers occupy a wide soundstage without overwhelming the mix. Mike Rutherford's bass sits where it should, providing solid foundation without boom. The overall presentation is clean, dynamic, and faithful to the original intent.

Original UK first pressings sound good when you find clean copies, but they lack the impact and separation this 45 RPM reissue provides. The wider groove spacing reduces inner groove distortion and allows the transients to hit harder. "Abacab" in particular benefits from the treatment, with the rhythm section locking in tighter and Collins' vocals cutting through with more presence.

From a pressing standpoint, QRP continues to deliver. Our copy is dead quiet with perfectly flat surfaces and accurate centering. No pops, no clicks, no manufacturing issues. The packaging is substantial and well executed.

The question for collectors is whether Abacab deserves this level of treatment. If you're a Genesis fan who appreciates their commercial era as much as their prog glory days, absolutely. If you're an 1980s music enthusiast who wants to hear that decade's production techniques at their best, this pressing makes the case. If you're a purist who checked out after Duke, this won't change your mind. The reissue doesn't reimagine the album. It simply presents it with maximum fidelity to what Padgham and Genesis achieved in 1981. 💵

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