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Review
of Phil Collins' Testify
Phil
Collins has sold millions of records (back when
they were records). He can be heard on lite-FM stations
throughout the world. His songs are catchy and express
sentiments that just about any thinking, feeling
human being could relate to. (Including, apparently,
people who buy lots of beer.) Yet, he's either mentioned
with a snicker, in the same league as women with
'80s hair (never his problem) or as if guilty for
crimes against humanity. Crimes against his old
band, Genesis?
That's one thing. But for humanity, Phil Collins
represents that stable uncle who takes his orphaned
nieces and nephews in from the cold, cruel world.
Testify
is a perfect album for anyone who still treasures
Face
Value, Hello,
I Must Be Going and No
Jacket Required. One listen to "Come With
Me" or the title track and it's as if Live
Aid was only yesterday. In this album, Phil Collins
favors a sleek, subdued sound that finds him daubing
the yearning "This Love This Heart" and
the equally lovelorn "Swing Low" with
ethereal keyboards and stately, occasionally splashy
rhythms. Other low-key highlights that are an obvious
nod to these major life changes are "Come with
Me" -- a touching pledge of protection from
father to child set atop soothing synths and rendered
by Collins in an emotive, reassuring tone -- and
the aching, modestly rocking title track, an expression
of unfettered devotion bolstered by a beefy electric
guitar line and a gospel-tinged choir. The biggest
highlights, however, are a bright, shiny interpretation
of Billy Nicholls's buoyant "Can't Stop Loving
You" (a hit for Leo Sayer in 1978) and "Don't
Get Me Started," which boasts crisp harmonies
and arrangements reminiscent of late-'80s Genesis.
Testify finds Phil Collins confirming his commitment
to family and to fans of sophisticated adult pop
alike.
Phil
Collins Testify Tracks:
1. Wake
Up Call
2. Come With Me
3. Testify
4. Don't Get Me Started
5. Swing Low
6. It's Not Too Late
7. This Love This Heart
8. Driving Me Crazy
9. Least You Can Do
10. Can't Stop Loving You
11. Through My Eyes
12. You Touch My Heart
