Phil Collins

Both Sides

The Many Sides of Phil Revealed

Review Score:

(10/10)
Words really don't have a way of adequately depicting the music and lyrics on this album. While the record was much less successful commercially in comparison to other albums such as "Face Value" and "No Jacket Required", this more serious than "...But Seriously" album contains some of Phil's best material, and he thinks so, too. Playing all the instruments and singing all the vocals on this album, three songs fall into the catergory of social issues. "Both Sides of the Story" does what the title says - looks at several individual episodes, such as a ghetto kid who carries a gun in order to get respect, and points out the two sides that every story has. Another is "We're Sons of our Fathers", describes how family values have changed since Phil himself was a kid. The third song is "We Wait And We Wonder", a powerful anthem with Scottish bagpipes that describes how the cloud of terrorism that lurks overhead everyday makes you think of it as almost normal, until something hits real close to home. Most other songs reflect on Phil's personal life at the time, in both love and everyday life, such as letting the past remain what it is: the past, in songs like "Can't Turn Back The Years". "I've Forgotten Everything" is totally inspired by Hoagy Carmichael's "I Get Along Without You Very Well", and "We Fly So Close" is another hidden treasure; a song that makes a person think about how often disaster comes within their grasp everyday. "There's A Place For Us" is a beautiful song that has its inspiration found in "Somewhere" from "West Side Story", and of course "Everyday" which just epitomizes how love can make you do things you never dreamed possible. This album is a true treasure that is lying in the shadows, waiting to be discovered, and it will happen someday. While it doesn't have as much radio-friendly material, it feels like Phil walks up to the listener and shakes his hand. It's as meeting the artist face to face. It returns to very simple melodies and heartfelt lyrics, and all recorded in Phil's home studio on 8 Track, showing you that the size in production doesn't matter. If it's from the heart, it's beautiful in any shape or form, simple or complex. As Phil says, "I hear the difference. I hope you do, too..."

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