Both Sides Of The Coin - Cal Tjader

Advantages: Calm, mellow, occaisionally chilled album
Disadvantages: One or two poor tracks

...An interesting collection of tracks make up this album. The majority of tracks are slow, with a few being more upbeat. This album isn’t a happy album, mainly due to the fact that it was written at around about the same time as Phil Collins’ marriage ended. It is evident that Phil has spent a lot of time on this album and that he is one of a very small amount of artists who like their music to be perfect. Every instrument you hear has been played by Phil, which shows how fluent he is in different types of instrument. THE TRACKS There are 11 tracks on this one disc album. Most have a similar theme to another, that being the standard combination of love and life which we come to expect from Phil Collins. 1 – Both Sides Of The Story – An upbeat opener to the album with the trademark Phil Collins drums, this is not a bad song... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very relaxing and atmospheric
Disadvantages: Maybe lacks a little variety

...Phil Collins must be one of the most talented and respected people in the music business. I hadn't heard much of his music before except some of the material he recorded when with Genesis. I didn't expect what I got from this album. Its got a few good songs on it but the problem is that they do sound a bit similar. I don't really find this too much of a bothe rbut some people would. Theres a good deal of listening in the cd. Can't Turn Back the Years and Theres a place for Us are my two favourites but only a couple of the 11 tracks aren't worth listening to. The lyrics are great. All the songs deal wiht either a story or a principle so even if you don't like the music it is interesting to listen to the words. Most songs take a little while to kick in and when they do its great. The effetcs on the keyboard really add to the whole sound... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Phil plays every instrument!
Disadvantages: A little dark and moody

...The one thing the critics said when this album came out was that it was moody and dark. Not really a very good album compared to his other albums. However, I disagree. Never before has Phil played EVERY SINGLE INSTRUMENT on an album before. This he done. He played everything himself and produced it all himself. This is why I like this album. Sure, the style is dark and moody, but it was made just after the breakup of this long marriage. Who wouldn't feel moody at a time like that. Some of the songs are great too. Everyday is going to be one of those true classic Phil songs for me. A couple others are also faves, like We Wait and We Wander, Sons of our Fathers and a couple others. Some are a bit duff. I've Forgotten Everything and even the title track, Both Sides of the Story are nothing particularly special. However... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful