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From the Vault...
07/21/2019
#1682 |
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info
Phil Collins
"But Seriously"
© Atlantic Records
Rating:
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track listing
Hang In Long Enough
That's Just The Way It Is
Do You Remember
Something Happened
On The Way
To Heaven
Colours
I Wish It Would
Rain Down
Another Day In Paradise
Heat On The Street
All Of My Life
Saturday Night
Into Sunday
Morning
Father To Son
Find A Way To My Heart
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Phil Collins
"But Seriously"
Phil Collins (solo albums) are no stranger to our WSVNRadio reviews: No Jacket Required,
Hello, I Must Be Going,
Face Value,
...But Seriously was the follow-up to No Jacket Required, which achieved many huge hits. This album also accomplished that, having four hits:
"Another Day In Paradise" (#1), "I Wish It Would Rain Down," "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven," "Do You Remember" were all on the
radio, getting great airplay. Two other singles, "That's Just The Way It Is" (a soft-ballad), and the pop'ish "Hang In Long Enough."
The solo songs were defined as his own, being the replacement singer for Peter Gabriel, in his years with the band Genesis. In fact, it was the Collins-era
of Genesis that would become more popular than that of Gabriel's. (There isn't really another song I can think of, from the Gabriel era of Genesis, other
than "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.")
But Seriously continues Collins' solo career in the positive aspect, that is, his solo music keeps the energy of his past solo efforts.
No Jacket Required had great songs, such as "Sussido," "One More Night" (both hit #1), "Don't Lose My Number," and "Take Me Home."
But Seriously keeps it going.
"Hang In Long Enough" and "Just The Way It Is" are the first two songs, as they are your typical solo-Collins sounding tunes. Both good.
"Do You Remember" is another one of those great solo-Collins ballads. A great tune, as it makes you ask that question, "Do You Remember?"
"Something Happened On The Way To Heaven" is a [great get off your feet and get into the music] tune. A great song to lift your spirits.
"Colours" Is another nice soft-ballad, yet it later kicks into great Collins' Pop. The next track, is "I Wish It Would Rain Down,"
another solo-collins classic. And another classic, is the #1 hit, "Another Day In Paradise," another soft-ballad classic.
"Heat On The Street" is an upbeat and jumping number, easily fitting his solo sound. "All Of My Life" is another great soft-ballad,
that could have easily made definite radio airplayl, if it hadn't already, at the time. "Saturday Night Into Sunday Morning" is a short instrumental,
as it features drumming. Phil Collins' drumming? I assume so, since he started out as a drummer for Genesis. "Father To Son" -- another great
soft-ballad; another song that is most likely more favorable for the Adult Contemporary format. (He would later have songs that would be popular, on this
genre.) Ending the album is the soft rock tune, "Find A Way To My Heart."
From the But Seriously Wikipedia page:
Musical style: While much of the album follows the same formula as Collins's previous
album, No Jacket Required (1985), there was also a move towards more organic production as Collins chose to utilize live drums instead of the drum
machines used heavily on No Jacket Required. He also prominently used keyboards and electric piano but fewer synthesizers. The album also features
a sole instrumental track, "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," which recalls the jazz-influenced instrumentals featured on his first two albums,
Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going.
Themes: As the title suggests, the album is a change of pace from the lighter tone of Collins's previous work. Collins expanded his focus to the
exploration of socio-economic and political themes. There is emotional turmoil underneath the polished studio production and many of the songs are
unambiguous and unveiled in their melancholy. While incorporating political themes, ...But Seriously does not abandon the theme of relationships.
But unlike some of his earlier work, Collins takes a more mature and reflective approach when looking at the relationships in his life.
...But Seriously as the album is named, it is a "serious" side of Phil Collins, and seriously, the album is very well-done. It has the popular
solo songs from the album, and although this album would probably be his last, where he his songs from a "new album" would receive heavy airplay, likewise
one or more #1 hit(s). After 1989, he recorded four more studio albums. None would achieve popular hits as But Seriously and No Jacket
Required, likewise hits from his earlier albums. Yet, he would become popular on Adult Contemporary, and providing popular songs from movie soundtracks.
Phil Collins continues to tour, although in recent years, he has had health issues. He wrote his autobiography in 2016, Not Dead Yet; this
is the name of his current tour -- Still Not Dead Yet. Phil Collins had his popularity with the band Genesis, yet his solo career was easily more
popular. His songs such as "In The Air Tonight" in my opinion, is one of the best songs ever written/recorded. His other early hits are just
as exceptional: His remake of Diana Ross & The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," "I Missed Again," "I Don't Care Anymore," "Against All Odds"
(from the movie), "Easy Lover" with Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind & Fire). His album tracks are also great tunes to listen to. Phil Collins is
still with us, and his popular hits on his own, and with Genesis are his best.
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