As we reported a few days ago, Phil Collins has announced that he's coming out of retirement and will be touring and making music again shortly.
In the interest of full disclosure, we'll admit that we are fans of Phil Collins and own No Jacket Required on original vinyl because In Too Deep needs to be heard in its most purest format possible. Yeah.
Anyway, a petition has been started on Change.org to convince Phil Collins to change his mind and, in just a day of its creation, it's already gathered 1,226 signatures as of writing.
There's not much of a reasoned argument to the petition as the description simply states: "Phil Collins has announced he is 'no longer in retirement'. There is far too much suffering in the world as it is. This must be stopped."
At the risk of editorialising, we think that's completely wrong and Phil Collins is a musical genius. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. We think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums.
Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism.
Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority.
In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything we've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying in a narrower way, especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds.
But we also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
Via Change.org
