ALBUM COVERS | ABACAB

October 15, 2024 · by Vinyl Connection · in ART AND ABOUT, c) Eighties [1980 - 1989], Covers Only, Thanks! · 13 Comments

The 1981 Genesis album abacab was released with four variants of the same basic cover design.

GYMC – Grey/Yellow/Magenta/Cyan Cover

CORG – Cyan/Orange/Red/Green Cover

YRGG – Yellow/Red/Grey/Green Cover

RBYG – Red/Blue/Yellow/Grey Cover

Original design by Bill Smith.

Feature image: 7″ single of “abacab”.

abacab was a #1 album in the UK and France, top ten in the US and top 20 in Australia.

I imagine that only a few slightly unhinged souls find such things entrancing. Nevertheless I can disclose that when the last element in the quartet was in place I was a happy record collector.

Tags: 80s album covers, Album cover design, Genesis (band), Record Collecting, vinyl records

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13 comments

Keith · October 15, 2024 - 9:33 AM · Reply→

i am one of those unhinged souls. thanks for the post. love this album. i own the top 1.

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mostlyanything · October 15, 2024 - 9:43 AM · Reply→

This LP made Genesis a pop band.

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1. Vinyl Connection · October 15, 2024 - 12:40 PM · Reply→
  
  It completed the transition, didn’t it? Duke had “Misunderstanding” and “Turn it on again” but in addition to those hits, lots of interesting melodies and instrumental sections. ABACAB is much more rock-song orientated. I think for fans of their progressive heyday it was quite a stretch (‘cos that was me!).
  
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  1. mostlyanything · October 15, 2024 - 1:42 PM · Reply→
    
    It’s one of my favorite Genesis LP’s.
    
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Christian's Music Musings · October 15, 2024 - 11:23 AM · Reply→

While I can confirm at some point during the ’80s I got my hands on a CD copy of “Abacab” and taped it on music cassette, I had no idea about the different color patterns of the cover. I want to say the CD I taped had the cover with the dark blue in the upper half. But it’s been such a long time I can’t tell for sure. It’s probably been almost as many years that I heard that album for the last time.

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DD · October 15, 2024 - 12:31 PM · Reply→

They make a pretty set.

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1. Vinyl Connection · October 15, 2024 - 12:41 PM · Reply→
  
  Yes, I think that’s why I felt that I needed them all. 😅
  
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Neil · October 15, 2024 - 12:54 PM · Reply→

Damn I hadn’t thought about having all four sleeves before thanks for that. I actually think Abacab is a pretty progressive album, Dodo/Lurker is as out there as you can get and there’s always Whodunnit.

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1. mostlyanything · October 15, 2024 - 1:44 PM · Reply→
  
  Zeppelin’s “In Through the Out Door” had multiple covers.
  
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  1. Vinyl Connection · October 15, 2024 - 4:13 PM · Reply→
    
    That’s right. Seven, I think.
    
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JDB · October 16, 2024 - 12:46 AM · Reply→

Despite being a fan of this album, I’d had no idea about the four different color schemes! Always loved No Reply and all of those horns. Bruce, I’m hereby beginning a valiant attempt to catch up…!

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1. Vinyl Connection · October 16, 2024 - 8:41 AM · Reply→
  
  You are always welcome back into the (gate)fold, JDB. Veal for dinner tonight!
  
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the press music reviews · December 20, 2024 - 2:11 PM · Reply→

I had no idea and I love this album.

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