Phil Collins

But Seriously

1990 Best Album of the Year

Review Score:

(10/10)
It would seem that it would be very hard for Phil Collins to top at critical and commercial success like "No Jacket Required" (1985 Grammy for Album of the Year), but Phil manages to do that with his fourth studio album "...But Seriously". On this particular album, Phil changes directions quite a bit. He abandons part of the formula that worked for the first three albums. Instead of focusing (entirely) on his personal relationships, the dark psychedelic element, and the fun element - Phil takes a much more "serious" approach. On this album he explores socio-economic and political themes. He doesn't abandon the relationship theme, but on this album he takes a more mature and reflective approach to the relationships he is involved in. Usually when artists take a change in direction like this, they are criticized - but for Phil Collins the new formula truly works. This album didn't win the Grammy, but in my opinion this late 1989 release would be the impact album for 1990 - and thus gets my nod for the Best Album of 1990.

The horn element is still present on this album. This has been a staple of Phil Collins' career. There are six songs containing the Phenix Horns and one additional song ("All of My Life") that has a Saxaphone. This is roughly about the same percentage as he used the Horns on "No Jacket Required". Like "No Jacket Required", the guitar and bass influence remains - along with the keyboard element that was introduced on "Hello, I Must Be Going". One difference is that this album doesn't quite have the "thundering" Phil Collins percussions that the previous albums had.

Phil also brings some guest stars to this album. I've never been a David Crosby fan. In fact, when I heard that Crosby was going to be on this album, I was skeptical. However - Crosby is terrific as he does background vocals on "Another Day in Paradise" and "That's Just the Way It Is". Eric Clapton provides guitar on "I Wish It Would Rain Down" and Steve Winwood provides Hammond Organ on "All of My Life".

This album is terrific from Top to Bottom. Here is a synopsis:

"Hang in Long Enough" - terrific horns in this song. This is a song where we see some of the sociological elements that Phil brings as Phil provides "advice" for someone looking to take the next step and make it big.

"That's Just the Way It Is" - is one of the David Crosby background vocal songs. This song discusses the theme of fighting and war. Phil's line "If we agree that we can disagree" tells it all.

"Do You Remember" - This is a classic Phil collins ballad. This was one of the singles released from the album. It's a good song, but I'd also consider this the weakest track on the album.

"Something Happened on the Way To Heaven" - Not as "serious" as many of the other tracks and probably is the only true "throwback" song to the older albums. This is another great horn based song that Phil reflects on a love (possibly his own) gone bad.

"Colours" - This is the best song on the album and possibly the best song that Phil has ever done. Phil makes a political statement in this song as he presents an anti-apartheid stance. Great horns, great lyrics. This is a near 9 minute song (so radio in their great wisdom (chuckle) shied away away from that). It is a two part song. The first 2 1/2 minutes has a soft tone, then the song moves into a African percussion that leads to the horn based part. Collins is very vocal about his feelings as he sends a direct message to (then) South African President PW Botha.

"I Wish It Would Rain Down" - This was a very overplayed song on the radio, but it is a very underrated song. Phil gives a very powerful vocal performance. What I find most interesting his how Phil fuses his vocals and percussion with a blues based guitar (played by Eric Clapton) with a gospel choir in the background. Again Phil takes a reflective approach to relationships.

"Another Day in Paradise" - This won the Grammy for "Record of the Year". Crosby is terrific with the vocals. In this song, Phil explores the plight of the homeless.

"Heat on the Street" - This is a hidden gem of a song. Great horn based song. This is more another socio as Phil explores themes of different socio-economic classes and socio-political differences between the "everyday" people and the "decision makers" in our society.

"All of My Life" - Another hidden gem. This is a softer sound. Steve Winwood plays Hammond Organ and it really has Winwood feel to it. It is one song that has some of the classic thundering drums of Phil.

"Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" - A short, but great instrumental with Phil and the Phenix Horns.

"Father to Son" - A ballad in which Phil gives advice to his son based on the mistakes he made in his life and relationships.

"Find a Way to My Heart" - This is the finale. It's not quite the finale that "Take Me Home" was on "No Jacket Required", but its still a fitting finale song. This combines the Phil Collins ballad with an African percussion followed by some great horn work -great stuff.

As for the liner notes - it comes packaged very well. All of the songs with the lyrics and musician credits are listed. I like how the credits are in one section of the booklet and the lyrics are in the other section. The only real drawback is that on like other albums, the Phil Collins' style handwriting makes things difficult to read. Overall for this album,Phil delivers his best work. The bar was truly raised high on this collection from Phil Collins.

More Reviews: