Phil Collins
No Jacket Required
(Atlantic)
Illustration 1: In 1975, the lead singer of Genesis steps away from the UK prog rock group, subsequently releasing multiple successful solo albums and earning critical praise over three decades.
Illustration 2: In 1981, Genesis lead singer steps away from the UK prog rock group, subsequently releasing multiple successful solo albums and earning critical derision over three decades. Despite both of them often pushing their music in innovative directions, it’s intriguing how differently the media has chronicled the careers of former Genesis bandmates Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. In the eyes of many British critics, Gabriel is an astute musician, WOMAD founder and technological adventurer beyond reproach, while Collins is the berk responsible for cheesy Disney collaborations, Motown covers and MOR ‘80s hits bigger than the US defence budget. In reality, Collins has taken as many interesting musical risks as Gabriel, it’s just that with albums such as 1985’s No Jacket Required, he also managed radio saturation on the way to more than 20 million sales. Collins’ current roll-out of deluxe editions of his catalogue has put the music itself back in the spotlight, with his third release No Jacket Required an astute mix of swagger and emotion. Don’t Lose My Number, Take Me Home (featuring guest vocals by the aforementioned Gabriel) and Long Long Way To Go (where Sting pops up as a vocalist) are atmospheric and impassioned.
As with his other recent reissues such as Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going!, No Jacket Required’s bonus disc features live tracks and a handful of demos. Stadium performances of Sussudio, Easy Lover and One More Night swing with ‘80s brass, synths and gratuitous guitar widdling, while early recordings of One More Night and Take Me Home provide enticing, early peeks into Collins’ writing process in his home stu-stu-studio (sorry). No Jacket Required confirms Collins’ fixture as the UK’s music enemy #1 is as ropey as a North Korean missile launch.
-SM
