Track Listing

1. Down and Out
2. Undertow
3. Ballad of Big
4. Snowbound
5. Burning Rope
6. Deep in the Motherlode
7. Many Too Many
8. Scenes from a Night's Dream
9. Say It's Alright Joe
10. The Lady Lies
11. Follow You, Follow Me

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19049 in Music
• Released on: 1994-10-31
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
When the departures of original frontman Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett left Genesis a studio trio of Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, few could have expected the band to climb to greater levels of commercial success. But that's exactly what happened and Genesis' left-field rebirth as a unlikely pop act began with this album, which introduced the newly slimmed-down line-up. However, that's not the whole story. While the haunting love song "Follow You, Follow Me" introduced the band to the singles charts, elsewhere the group's penchant for accessibly complex composition and evocative lyrical dramas is in force on tracks like "Deep in the Motherlode", "Burning Rope", "Down and Out" and "Ballad of Big". --Scott Schinder

CD Description
When guitarist Steve Hackett left Genesis for a solo careerafter touring behind 1977's WIND AND WUTHERING, he was the second major defection the group had suffered in as many years. Instead of helplessly disintegrating, the remaining triocircled the wagons and bounced back with the solid AND THENTHERE WERE THREE.
Rather than employ any outside studio musicians to take up the slack, Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford instead played every instrument themselves. Resolutely reflective throughout, this 1978 release finds Genesis populating its songs with a broad range of characters. Among the more memorable ones are the fast-talking recordexec on "Down and Out" (a song that could be construed as aveiled swipe at the departed Hackett) and the larger-than-life cattle-driving cowpuncher on the synth-soaked "Ballad ofBig". Although the songs on this record are more concise than Genesis' earlier, conceptual work, the band still retainsthe gift of capturing moods. The breathtaking "Snowbound" perfectly encompasses the feeling of stepping outside into a freshly minted snowfall. An air of yearning runs through "Follow You Follow Me", a romantic yarn that also became Genesis' first American Top 30 hit.

Customer Reviews

One of the best
And then there were three is Genesis' most underrated albums of their career. This album is a break-away from the old Genesis sound into a new tighter,more structured feel that results in shorter songs. However,the music is a refreshing change with some superb tracks. Perhaps the best song on the album is 'Undertow', which to me is an outstanding track with a totally
absorbing chorus; closely followed are Burning Rope, Deep in the Motherlode, Many to Many and Snowbound. The rest of the album is a collection of great songs. For me the weakest is 'Scenes from a nights dream', although I consider it the weakest it is still a colourful and catchy tune but does not shine like the others.
Anyone considering buying this album should. Anyone who is familar with the new Genesis should invest in this album as a link to the old, progressive rock Genesis which still remains their best work to date. The loss of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett is apparent, but this is an album that I can listen to on a Sunday afternoon and drift away into a nostalgic, tranquil state of indulgence in a truely fabulous album.

...and then they were trite......
I agree with the review here which quotes the lyrics from "Undertow", that this is a truly great track,and one of their finest with or without Gabriel. However, I feel that this LP marked the start of the decline of Genesis, mainly due (I think) to Collins becoming a major contributor to the songwriting. The fact is,with hindsight ,that his material was never in the same league as any of the other members' stuff (including Steve Hackett, who apparently left because his material wasn't being given equal consideration !).
Shame that Collins didn't stick to his strengths as a good singer,great drummer and contributor of instrumental ideas to Genesis,keeping his dodgy songs for his solo career.

Progressively more mainstream
"And then there were three..." is another excellent album from Genesis, although it lacks some of the richness and depth of their earlier music.The songs are shorter, the arrangements simpler and there are a lot more catchy hooks and sing-a-long choruses than had hitherto been associated with the group. That's not to say that this record is a Big Sell Out; i'd prefer to see it as more of a sensible change of direction , after all with the advent of New Wave ,Progressive Rock was becoming unfashionable and Genesis had to find a new niche for their musical talents in this changed marketplace and also cope without the contribution of erstwhile lead guitarist, Steve Hackett."And then there were three..." boasts a string of excellent songs , rich in quality and melody. "Undertow" and "Snowbound" are stand out tracks , as good as anything Genesis have ever done while "Deep in the Motherlode" and "Burning Rope" are also enjoyable . A lot of the tracks towards the end of the album aren't particularly memorable, although the Top 20 hit "Follow you, Follow me " ends the record pleasantly enough. "And then there were three..." is commercial, stadium- rocky and immediate, but without a lot of the subtlety, intricacy and intelligence of their earlier music.