But Seriously - Phil Collins

...often deal with lost love but the songs within each album range widely in style. For example three of his most successful hits; ‘In the Air Tonight’, ‘Sussudio’ and ‘Another Day in Paradise’ are all massively different being drum-heavy, dance pop orientated and somewhat political respectively. It is his fourth solo album, …But Seriously, that I will today be reviewing.


== …But Seriously ==

‘…But Seriously’ was ...
...for the track are good but not outstanding and the chorus memorable but not one of Collins’ best. The vocal performance is however as solid and distinctive as ever. All in all a decent opening track that is brought to the front by the backing music.
‘They always say
The best things in life are free
But you want to have everything
Well you're going to have to beg if you want it all.’
*********8/10*********
... more

Phil Collins

Phil Collins born Phillip David Charles Collins in London in 1951 is a singer-songwriter, drummer, keyboardist and actor. He is best known as drummer and vocalist for English progresive rock group Genesis for whom he became the lead singer in 1975. His concurrent solo career has brought him worldwide commercial success and made him the Grammy and Academy-Award winning artist he is today.

His Albums

Up to date Phil Collins has released nine studio albums; Face Value (1981), Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982), No Jacket Required (1985), …But Seriously (1989), Both Sides (1993), Dance Into the Light (1996), Tarzan Soundtrack (1999), Testify (2002) and The Brother Bear Original Soundtrack (2003). Most of his albums, barring the two Disney soundtracks of course, often deal with lost love but the songs within each album range widely in style. For example three of his most successful hits; ‘In the Air Tonight’, ‘Sussudio’ and ‘Another Day in Paradise’ are all massively different being drum-heavy, dance pop orientated and somewhat political respectively. It is his fourth solo album, …But Seriously, that I will today be reviewing.

…But Seriously

‘…But Seriously’ was released in November 1989 and follows much the same format as Collins’ previous and most commercially successful album ‘No Jacket Required’. The album however is much more serious than the previous one and focuses on much harder hitting issues. Instead of the focus being entirely on personal relationships the album concentrates more on socio-economic and political themes with those tracks based on relationships taking a more mature and reflective approach. This does however make many of the songs somewhat ambiguous and critical. A lot of the tracks also lead into Collins’ private life as during the albums creation he was dealing with estrangements from society, his wife and his father.

The album itself peaked at number 1 in the UK charts and stayed there for a massive fifteen weeks including the whole competitive Christmas season. …But Seriously became the third best selling album of the year

The Album in Short

If you’re one of those people that aren’t particularly looking for a track-by-track breakdown of the album in question then this section is for you and you can simply gloss over the track analysis if you wish. …But Seriously is a fantastically diverse album that has something on it for everyone. It includes the usual romance ballads (Something Happened on the Way to Heaven), a couple of pop-orientated tracks (Heat on the Street), more serious relationship soulful ballads (Father to Son) and a selection of politically inspired tracks (That’s Just the Way it Is & Colours) that make hard hitting statements in a simple yet effective way. The album also contains the smash hit ‘Another Day in Paradise’, which is skilfully conceived and masterfully performed as well as a favourite of mine ‘I Wish It Would Rain Down’, which includes the guitar music of Eric Clapton.

Track Breakdown

ONE – Hang in Long Enough
This opening track has a fantastic backing track with an outstanding beat and an overall superb sound that is really contagious. The lyrics for the track are good but not outstanding and the chorus memorable but not one of Collins’ best. The vocal performance is however as solid and distinctive as ever. All in all a decent opening track that is brought to the front by the backing music.
‘They always say
The best things in life are free
But you want to have everything
Well you're going to have to beg if you want it all.’
*********8/10*********

TWO – That’s Just The Way It Is
‘That’s Just the Way It Is’ according to Collins is an anti-war ballad that deals with the troubles in Northern Ireland. The song however has been criticised for being too vague and for staring out like ‘In the Air Tonight’ before transforming into an anti-war song lacking punch. The track I agree does begin with a musical interlude reminisce of ‘In the Air Tonight’ but the message put forward by this track is much harder hitting. The chorus is well performed and memorable from a vocal perspective. The lines I have reproduced below are also rather prominent towards the end of the track and make a strong statement in a melancholic way.
‘You see the dying, you feel the pain
What have you got to say
If we agree that we can disagree
We could stop all of this today’
*********9/10*********

THREE – Do You Remember?
This track has quite a sombre sounding backing track despite the steady beat and keyboard tunes. This however isn’t a complaint because it really fits the track and the lyrics themselves are strong and sung brilliantly. In comparison to the previous two tracks this has more in common with Collins’ smash hit previous album.
‘There seemed no way to make up
'Cos it seemed your mind was set
And the way you looked it told me
It's a look I know I'll never forget’
**********9/10*********

FOUR – Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
This track was originally written for the movie ‘War of the Roses’. It is a rather upbeat track in terms of backing music and vocal performance and this is a real welcome change. The lyrics are catchy as is the pace and tune of the track making this a memorable one.
‘How can something so good go so bad
How can something so right go so wrong
I don't know, I don't have all the answers
But I want you back’
*********10/10*********

FIVE – Colours
‘Colours’ is a politically themed song that condemns the segregation and oppression of black people in South Africa under Apartheid. It is quite a popular track but did not see commercial success due to its length, nearly 9 minutes. The backing track for Colours is very instrumental and delicate and really suits the pace and style of the song. The lyrics themselves resonate and performed to an exceptional standard that really makes a statement. The pick up of pace about half way through the song also keeps the song refreshing and unique despite its length. When you listen to the track you can really imagine it being used to perfection in a film.
‘Tell me, what can you say
Tell me, who do you blame
Like a mirror you see yourself
These people each have a name’
********9/10********

SIX – I Wish It Would Rain Down
This track was a significant chart hit in 1989 and made the top ten in numerous countries. Collins felt the track was the closest he had come to writing a blues song and also felt it was a song that would suit Eric Clapton who went on to play all the guitar pieces in the track. The style of the song really suits Collins’ voice and the guitar solos are simply perfection personified. The lyrics aren’t anything spectacular but they ring true and the chorus is memorable. All parts of the song are performed well and it remains a favourite of mine on the album.
‘You know I never meant to see you again
and I only passed by as a friend
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why’
*********9/10*********

SEVEN – Another Day In Paradise
Another Day In Paradise is Collins’ biggest hit and brings attention to the problem of homelessness. It is a substantial departure from the dance-pop style of his previous album but a massive number one hit all the same and won ‘Best British Single’ at the 1990 Brit Awards. This track is one that everyone seems to know and it’s hit status verifies this. It is a superb track from all aspects in my opinion and definitely my favourite on the album. It begins with a somewhat tribal sound, which then breaks into a superb piano piece before the soulful vocals begin. The song as a whole is superb, the chorus is catchy and memorable and makes a statement without rubbing it in your face.
‘Oh think twice, it's another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise’
**********10/10**********

EIGHT – Heat on the Street
After the last track this really lifts the mood of the album whilst still keeping the same high quality. The pace of the track is exceptionally fast, the best steady and the pop-orientated feel back. The lyrics again aren’t anything mind-blowing but have been well created and thought out. Collin’s also sings them with great conviction and really performs the track well. For some reason Heat on the Street is a track I always find myself singing along to.
‘The kids out there don't know how to react
The streets are getting tough and that's a matter of fact
and I, I can't take it any longer’
*********9/10*********

NINE – All of My Life
This track starts with a brass solo, which is a welcome change on the album. What I liked about this was it immediately gave the impression of diversity on the album, which is something I really like. The vocals then began and the brass solo replaced by a steady beat and some strong vocals. The lyrics themselves are interesting and tell a good story if listened to properly. Another high class performance.
For the words to say how I feel.
I'd spend my time thinking too much
And leave too little to say what I mean
*********9/10*********

TEN – Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is a completely musical track with no vocals whatsoever. The track in my opinion seems a little out of place on the album and would probably achieve better effect if it were placed earlier in the track listing. The piece is pleasant to listen to at 1 minute 25 in length but nothing masterful by any means.
******6/10******

ELEVEN – Father to Son
Father and Son explores the idea of connecting with people and in Collins’ case the idea of connecting with his son. The song is a very pleasing one to listen to as the positive and inspirational tone of the lyrics and music spill out into the emotive and passionate vocal performance. Once you know that the track has connections with Collins’ relationship with his son the track takes on a new meaning and becomes one that for some reason you can’t seem to forget.
I'll always be with you don't forget
Just look over your shoulder I'll be there’
*********9/10*********

TWELVE – Find a Way to My Heart
This track opens with a rather sci-fi sound and this left we rather intrigued I must admit. The steady pulsating beat that then begins draws you further into the track and it is at this point that you hear the melodic piano tones in the background. This opening is probably the strongest on the album interest wise and this doesn’t diminish once the vocals begin. These are again performed to a very high standard and the ballad style of the track really suits the overall feel and tone of the track. The change of pace at the first chorus also makes the track very memorable and the more upbeat style of the second half always gets me tapping along to the beat. A fantastic close to a fantastic album.
‘There's a reason I hide my heart
Out of sight out of mind
And when I find out just who you are
The door will be open for you to.’
**********10/10**********

CLOSING COMMENT

This album is one that I have grown fonder of the more I listen to it. It is very varied in style, tone and content matter but I really enjoy listening to every track on the album. A lot of the tracks seem to have left a lasting impression on me and some of the political statements they make really have had an impact on me. The album’s initial success and the continued success of many of the albums tracks should signify that this album is one that is definitely worth a purchase.  

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