But Seriously is Collins 1989 release and his 4th studio album and is Collins most political and socially concious albums so far. Even though I tend to dislike political music, Collins manages to write the themes without preaching and the approach is quite subtle and astute. Songs like Anaother day in Paradise and Colours are both social criticism and political statements. Collins does not abandon themes of love and relationships but sings with a greater maturity then he did on earlier records. Songs such as Do you remember and I wish it would rain down deal with such topics. The book-let is a mixed bag of very nice photographs but for some reason they went with a font for the lyrics which is quite tricky to read. A very cute picture of his son (I think so) lying as a baby on a bed. 4/5.

This CD was ok, but not the best of Phil Collins. I did receive quick service and product was in good shape.

phil collins' album...but seriously has good music. another day in paradise was a #1 hit. i wish it would rain down hit#3. do you remember and something happened on th way to heaven hit#4. hang in long enough hit #21. colors,father and son,and find a way to your heart are other good songs. good follow-up to no jacket required. ed wilson

This one continued Phil's path toward artistic oblivion, with his blandest collection of bland synth pop yet. Phil tries to dress up the blandness with grade school social consciousness (I remember his defensively explaining on The David Letterman Show, where they ridiculed the awful banality of "Su-su-sudio," that he had social consciousness too), but like the music the lyrics are superficial and trite. Phil was McCartney to Peter Gabriel's Lennon, without the melodic talent of McCartney. A sad disappointment to his old fans, though I guess Phil cried all the way to the bank.

(november 1989) Lots of good musicians on this one - Clapton, Crosby, Winwood, Bishop, Leland Sklar, Pino Paladino, & more. By this time, Collins had established himself as a heavily sought after drummer & producer outside genesis & his solo stuff. So when it came time to ask his buddies clapton & others to join in they could only say yes... This album is much more organic & unproduced than no jacket required & really a different album all together. The pheonix horn's (originally from EWF, who had toured with collins & played on last 3 solo albums) sounds much more stripped down but as technical as NJR. Collins (alone & with genesis & others) has a reputation of not recording live all at once. instead he chooses to record a guide rhythm part & then lets each musician lay their parts on top of it as to let the players work on their parts & improvise to perfection. This album, though, was recorded more live with more of the musicians playing together in the studio simulaneously. This was a bit of a new direction for collins as he is known as an incredible perfectionist. Also, this album was recorded at the Gensis studio (the farm) & in LA which, I think, leads to it sounding a bit uneven. this album is also much more politically & socially expressive as collins writes more about homelessness & political strife in the world (another day in paradise, colors, heat on the street, others). This album also finds Collins getting away from the divorce-based love songs he is so well known for in his solo work. His drumming & acoustics are, as usual profoundly awesome & much less electronic as he decided to use mostly his acoutic gretsch drums on this one. There is also less drum machine & more percussion. Also, collins's & david crosby's harmony's are incredible as their slightly monotone voices complement eachother perfectly (another day in paradise & that's just the way it is). Phil also shows his ability to play great rhythm piano (electric yamaha cp-70) parts he is so well known for (colors & do you remember). This album was followed by a 130 date world tour & was #1 in US & UK for most of 1990 with four top 5 hits (per usual with collins & genesis albums). Clapton also does awesome work on wish it would rain down. This album shows collins's ability to change musical directions & also be very commercially successful. Great Album!!!