Phil Collins/Face Value
Phil Collins is an English Singer/Songwriter, Drummer, Keyboardist and Actor best known as drummer & vocalist for Prog Rock band Genesis. Collins is a Grammy and Academy Award winning solo artist who sports 8 #1 top ten singles in the US alone. Collins has moved an impressive 150 million units worldwide during his solo career and a whopping 250 million units with his solo/Genesis career combined. Face Value was Collin’s first of 9 solo releases and was issued in 1981.
In The Air Tonight—-Widely circulated and becoming a modern day Urban Myth about Collins observing a real life murder, Collins is subtle about the meaning of the song. The song is subtle and dark. The keyboards swirl around your head and the vocal is almost haunting. To be honest, the song could be about anything…we let our imaginations run wild. The song of course comes to life in the last bars, featuring one of the best known drum solo’s ever. This song remains a staple on AOR radio and a favorite among 80’s geeks like myself.
This Must Be Love—-This song holds a special place for me….the first time I really, really fell in love, this song was on heavy rotation in my car and tape deck. The song is remarkably breezy and care-free. The vocal is light and damn catchy. The sentiment is true and heartfelt and describes the feelings of burgeoning love perfectly. A true classic.
Behind The Lines—-Again, with a joyous musical backdrop, Collins delivers a vocal that is so warm and inviting that you can’t resist the syrupy sweetness of his pleas. The song features some excellent drum work that really shines through the mix and a nice double tracked vocal that gives the song the needed appeal. Very Nice….I never tire of this!
The Roof Is Leaking—-This is another of those Collins songs that you are not sure what the meaning is. That is part of the pleasure of songs like this…you are ‘allowed’ to draw your own conclusions! The song transports me to the family that was living in squalor in the Willy Wonka movie…so happy from the onset, but underneath a feeling of desperation and isolation. The song is very dense in sound with a lot of emotive musical sounds as well as vocal emulations. Intense! The song picks up a crazy vibe towards the end that is very Genesis inspired and chaotic. Magnificent!
Hand In Hand—-Again, this song sounds very Genesisin nature, the music is more experimental and somewhat mystical. There are many layers to what you are hearing…Flute….keys…masterful Drums…..and an incredible atmospheric quality. The song picks up an almost joyful pace and the entire thing comes together like a modern day symphony. Incredible and unforgettable.
I Missed Again—-A #1 hit for Collins, the song features a nice mix of upfront drums and horns. The vocal is emotive and forceful.The song could be the downside of ‘This Must Be Love’…..the complete journey in one CD! Great vocal delivery and excellent histrionics. I still love this!
You Know What I Mean—-About two minutes and a half in length, but the song stays with you for a lifetime. The short composition reveals what we all feel when a lost love comes back in to the picture for a short spell. How you beg someone to let you move on and forget…but secretly beg for their attention. This is heart wrenching and real….don’t doubt that!
Thunder And Lightening—-Slightly jazzy in feel, Collins delivers a vocal that matches the tempo of the music magically. A tale of whatever you want it to be…I won’t indulge you in my personal interpretation…the song has a great listenable quality that makes you snap your fingers and bob you head. Wonderful, Phil!
I’m Not Moving—-With an undeniable poppy feel, Collins delivers a vocal that is so catchy and listenable you will think of this song for days. The urge to break out of the Genesis mode is so apparent, and Collins delivers. This is pure pop magic and it lives on forever thanks to remastering!
If Leaving Me Is Easy—-With an irresistible sax intro, the song takes on a blue light jazz club vibe. Collins continues the whole scene with a laid back vocal that is so relaxed and emotive it transports you to somewhere else. Magical and undeniable perfect.
Tomorrow Never Knows—-A cover of the Beatles classic, the song has a nice flair of psychedelia and fuzz. The vocal is pushed to the back as the music swirls and swirls around your upper brain. Magnificent in attitude and execution, one of my favorite Collins songs.
****3/4 out of 5
