September 7, 2007...3:14 pm
The Case for (Phil) Collins: Phil Collins Edition
Well, I’ve got a new music feature here for you and as you’ve noticed it’s called “The Case for (Phil) Collins”. What I aim to do hear is showcase some great songs by artists who have become music’s whipping boys and girls due to career missteps, changes in trends, shitty later-material, lack of listener-knowledge, Disney soundtracks, inability to dress, or any other number of reasons. So leave your hipness behind and kick back to some unfairly frowned-upon jams. To help it go down better, I’ll follow it up with something indisputably kick-ass. Be sure to leave your thoughts on these selections…
How could I not start this off with a Phil Collins song? He’s the shining example of the fantastic songwriter who made the mistake of staying alive and having a super-popular solo career. Sins accused of include always tucking in shirt, khakis, baldness, Tarzan soundtrack, ‘I Can’t Dance’, and you can add more in comments if you like. But Phil’s first solo album in 1981, Face Value, is a solid bit of work. I had a hard time choosing between this song and an instrumental called ‘Hand in Hand’, but I chose this one since it’s more representative of Mr. Collins to hear him singing. I’ll play you ‘Hand in Hand’ in an upcoming edition though. So here’s ‘Behind the Lines’. Dig it (you gotta love that Phil C. drum sound!)…
Phil Collins - Behind the Lines
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And as a palate cleanser, I give you some refreshing wafer-thin Pere Ubu…
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Leave your reviews for both songs below….
12 Comments
September 7, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Phil Collins makes me wanna gauge my eyes out. HOWEVER…
He did play drums on some superb Brian Eno tracks. Had that been his only contribution to the world of Rock, and, God, I wish it were, his music career would be validated.
September 7, 2007 at 4:13 pm
You don’t even like him with Genesis? Or in a house… with a mouse? Or with Philip Bailey of EWF?
September 7, 2007 at 4:14 pm
This is a great feature. Who will be so bold as to admit the unhip musicians they adore? This might be a good spot for my pals, Hall & Oats. Or Matt’s close friends, The Carpenters. And how about Sir William Joel?
September 7, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Sir William is lwknar’s buddy.
September 7, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I’m not a Genesis fan, so I guess that’s a no.
But, wow, what DID happen to Phil Collins? Is it the same thing that happened to Elton John? Can we call it Disneyfication?
September 7, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Phil Collins is a fantastic drummer. He’s got a distinct style that he simply chooses not to use in his solo works. He gave Genesis a bouncey quality that was absent prior to his joining. Listening to Unorthodox Behaviour by Brand X is a great example of Phil’s abilities.
He’s also a wonderful showman. He knows how to entertain his audience. Something many musicians have neglected to do.
September 7, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Nice input, whatigotsofar. Thanks!
September 7, 2007 at 6:55 pm
sussudio might be my fave p.c. song. wohohoh.
but newmradio is right, sir william yoel is my truest of guilty delights.
September 7, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Does Phil C. have an unknown mouth scar like Tina Fey?
September 7, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Take it from him, a guy whose had mouth scars…
September 7, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I’m so glad you chose Phil Collins - can I say that in fifth grade, he was higher on my list than New Kids on the Block. Don’t Loose My Number, I Wish It Would Rain Down, One More Night - the ballads of my pre-adolescent youth! And what about Another Day In Paradise - a liberal ephiphany moment, and of course Sussudio - Rock out!
And speaking of not being dead - Read Chuck Klosterman’s Killing Yourself to Live. A great road trip novel on why musicans are better off in the ground, by a Spin magazine editor.
September 7, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Yay Lisa!
I’ll have to check that Klosterman thing out. My guess is that he talks about the way we immediately turn every rock star into some overblown legend that changed the world, as soon as they bite the dust…and as long as they bite said dust in their 20s or 30s.
I also need to read your new travel post!
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