Phil tells both sides of the story

Review Score: (8/10)
Phil Collins names his 1993 solo album, "Both Sides," as his personal favorite. It's not difficult to hear why---"Both Sides" is far and away Phil's most introspective album. He produced it himself, recording it all at his home studio, and he plays all of the instruments himself, including guitar and bass. For Phil, according to his sleeve notes, this is the most enjoyable album he's ever made. For the listener, "Both Sides" is a marvelous disc, with Phil showing a side to himself not quite heard on any of his other albums (as great as they are). Not only is Phil's songwriting and playing of all the instruments incredible, but "Both Sides" arguably contains the best, most heartfelt singing Phil has ever done on any of his solo albums. It's as if Phil is just singing to YOU and only YOU, in an intimate, one-on-one session between artist and listener. Granted, "Both Sides" is one of Phil's lesser-known albums, as it was his first solo album to miss the Billboard Top 10 (I suppose Nirvana had already begun their work in changing the rock music biz at this point), but don't let that stop you from embracing this great buried treasure from Phil.Admittedly, there are no real "rockers" on "Both Sides." Most of the tracks are soft or mid-tempo, but make no mistake, these are all very rich tunes. Phil does turn up the volume somewhat on his observational hit "Both Sides Of The Story," "Survivors," and "We Wait And We Wonder," his powerful drumming driving these excellent songs. Other great moments include the lovely Top 40 hit "Everyday," the banjo-esque "We're Sons Of Our Fathers," the moody "Can't Find My Way," and my personal favorite track, the stunning "We Fly So Close," a gorgeous, atmospheric song, including some fine acoustic guitar and passionate singing from Phil. But all the way around, this is a very beautiful album. "Both Sides" is without question a creative highlight in the career of this multi-talented man, and an outstanding album that no Phil Collins fan should do without.

More Reviews:

• An Experimental Effort that is sometimes criticized unfairly
• Waste of time
• BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Better with time
• Take a look at Phil now...he's a social critic!
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• Phil's most personal and atmospheric album
• Easily His Best to Date
• One of Phil's best works
• EASY.....EASY.......TOO EASY
• Both Sides Of The Storyteller
• Sad Music
• Okay, but too depressing
• The best of the best
• Middle Age Rock Star Album
• Hard to judge....
• An intelligent album
• What a pile of pants!
• collins returns to earth, a little tired
• Sure love this CD alot more now then when it first came out
• The Many Sides of Phil Revealed
• One of my overall favorite cds to date...
• Both Sides Now.
• great album
• Excellent "Other side" CD
• Phil's done it again!
• This is a healthy diet for the ear!!
• Great For Those Dark Moods
• One of the best
• Loneliness personified, sometimes that's what we need.
• Very personal, but overall effect is too dark and depressing
• a wonderful effort