But Seriously (1989)
1.Hang in Long Enough
2.That's Just the Way It Is
3.Do You Remember?
4.Something Happened on the Way to
Heaven
5.Colors
6.I Wish it Would Rain Down
7.Another Day in Paradise
8.Heat on the Street
9.All of My Life
10.Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
11.Father to Son
12.Find A Way to My Heart
During the 1980's, Phil Collins'
recording career followed a pretty set pattern: a solo album, followed
by a Genesis album, then a solo album, and the cycle would repeat.
Throw in a couple of soundtrack songs and a duet or two and you had
arguably the most successful solo artist of the decade. Although the
next decade would not be as kind to Phil, he ended the eighties with a
well done effort that kept him on top for a little while longer.
Although the title of this release and the somber looking reflective
Phil might give the listener the impression that this was going to be a
depressing journey into social issues, Collins again uses his magic of
blending different moods, happy and sad, along with many different
styles to please the hard core. The compact disc revolution allowed
sixty minutes of music on the disc, so limitations of time are not an
issue. All of the basis get covered.
The signature tune, and first single, Another Day in Paradise
seems to set the serious mood desired by Collins for the release. The
song, originally titled, "Homeless", is a non accusing, semi true story
about the homelessness issue. Collins doesn't blame anyone, he simply
acknowledges another problem that most (including himself) wish to just
turn the other way and ignore. The impact of the single caused Collins
to become a sort of spokesman for the homeless - even collecting donations
at his shows. Another sociall conscious piece, That's Just the Way
it Is addresses the irony of nations and different faiths fighting
and killing one and other because of conflicting religious beliefs.
Superstar David Crosby joins Collins on harmony on both of these
wonderful pieces. Then apartheid is attacked on the eight plus minutes
of Colors that is easily the most angriest piece Collins ever
wrote. On the lighter, but equally "seriousness" aspect is Heat on
the Street which lyrically depicts the frustration on the inner
city streets but seems rather non threatening musically.
With these four issues out of the way, Collins then retreats back to
what Collins does best: throw in some happy horn filled dance numbers, a
few romantic ballads and some standard radio friendly "hits" to make up
the collection. The best known single I Wish it Would Rain
Down is augmented by, this time, Eric Clapton on guitar. It's
pretty obvious, therefore pure enjoyment. He employs the brass section
with Something Happened on the Way to Heaven, Hang in Long
Enough and, to a lesser extent, the album closer Find a Way To
My Heart which tries to emulate the success of the last album's
closer Take Me Home. It doesn't really come close, but that's
not to say it's not enjoyable.
On the wimpier, but to be honest, pretty enjoyable, side are two
standard Where-Did-Our-Love-Go ballads Do You Remember and
All of My Life. He even throws in a nice
piece to his child, Father to Son.
Whatever brand of Phil is your favorite, you are sure to find some of it
here. His later releases lacked the spontinaiety and experimentation of
his first couple of releases, but to be fair, he makes up for it well
with the latter radio freindly pieces featured throught this album.
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