Peter Gabriel vs. Phil Collins

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Isn't it pretty much universally accepted that Phil's production work on the Eric Clapton records resulted in the absolute nadir of EC's career?

― Duke Dubuque, Friday, 20 January 2006 18:33 (eighteen years ago) link

Well, I quite like "It's In the Way That You Use It" and "She's Waiting" – charming singles.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Friday, 20 January 2006 18:44 (eighteen years ago) link

Since when did Phil Collins become the Official Sound Of Florida?

I was just there recently. At the Disney places, you kept hearing his work for cartoon soundtracks. Elsewhere, the radio was playing his earlier solo stuff on multiple stations all the time.

It was scary. I could not escape the man's music!

― Edward Bax (EdBax), Friday, 20 January 2006 20:44 (eighteen years ago) link

I think it's a real shame that Peter Gabriel II is such an
overlooked album. I think it has a Roxy Music/Bowie kind of
vibe to it. He comes across very raw, very vulnerable.
"On The Air" is maybe his most angry-sounding
song, he basically shouts it out (lord only knows what he's
angry about, but still). Robert Fripp's guitaring
(and production?) never sounded better, and the songs take
more left turns then ever. Sure, most of the songs still sound
very "composed," but how about that long, sparse, funk jam, or
the song where the guy murders his family (or something
like that)?

If the idea of a skronkier, New Wave-y Gabriel appeals to you,
check it out.

― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Friday, 20 January 2006 22:34 (eighteen years ago) link

Peter's early solo stuff is grebt.

Besides, has Phil Collins released versions of his records sung in German? I think not!

― Edward Bax (EdBax), Friday, 20 January 2006 22:55 (eighteen years ago) link

1. Which was better with Genesis

Gabriel, of course

2. Which is better solo

Again, Gabriel, of course. Even though I thought otherwise at 14.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 21 January 2006 04:15 (eighteen years ago) link

Funny though – "Take A Look At Me Now (Against All Odds)" is a more touching ballad than anything PG's come up with.

"Against All Odds" is a great song. But still cannot compete with greatness of "The Lamia" or even "Mercy Street".

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 21 January 2006 04:23 (eighteen years ago) link

I'm going with Gabriel as well, but I have great respect for Phil's work with other bands/artists like Brand X, John Martyn, Brian Eno, etc. And "No Reply at All" from 'Abacab' is classic!

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Saturday, 21 January 2006 07:17 (eighteen years ago) link

i don't know about pete's contribution to genesis but solo he can't compare . between 1982-1995 phil was unstoppable - he had a dozen hits in a row , plus half a dozen with genesis.
pete has no solo albums worth getting and his greatest only has 5 songs.

― retroboy, Saturday, 21 January 2006 07:25 (eighteen years ago) link

this could be good or bad .lol
peter didn't produce frida or work ex-earth wind and fire guy.
i envy pete for pairing up wuth a bird with a nice pair (kate bush)

― retroboy, Saturday, 21 January 2006 07:27 (eighteen years ago) link

We're joking right? I mean...obviously Gabriel trumps Collins here, we ARE joking?

― Silver Coffee (Bimble...), Saturday, 21 January 2006 11:48 (eighteen years ago) link

one year passes...

"Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I 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. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. 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 I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole. 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. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I 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."

Patrick Bateman
"American Psycho"

― Reid Hannan (Crazinessisay), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 14:34 (seventeen years ago) link

Never read that before.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 14:35 (seventeen years ago) link

all joking aside, "against all odds" is a really great song though. mr. bateman was right about that.

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:02 (seventeen years ago) link

That extract from "American Psycho"! How fucking original!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:04 (seventeen years ago) link

My winner is without question Peter Gabriel, for his individual mix of pretentious and humble. I show my love in moving pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON8lVgJxMQA

Just the way he smiles when he samples himself saying "mummy", or how he enjoys the battery in "rhythm of heat" in a jumpsuit. Its just so adorable.

― jon person (jon person), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:17 (seventeen years ago) link

Okay, I got stoned one night a few months ago and decided to have a Phil Collins vs. Peter Gabriel face-off. So, for instance, I played "Against All Odds" followed by "In Your Eyes" and then decided the winner of that particular match. "Two Hearts" vs. "Solsbury Hill." "Another Day in Paradise" vs. "Digging in the Dirt." Etc. Anyway, Peter Gabriel won handily, except for whatever was up against "In the Air Tonight," which was unbelievably amazing.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:59 (seventeen years ago) link

"Two Hearts" vs. "Solsbury Hill." "

!!!

You must have been stoned.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 16:03 (seventeen years ago) link

Whatever, Alfred, I don't remember the match-ups!

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 16:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Now "Steam" vs "You Can't Hurry Love" makes sense.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 16:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Never a huge fan of either of these gentlemen (tho I know I should check out PG's first two; I like the third.) Geir's loyalty can be a bit hard to fathom: I think "Shock The Monkey" and "Big Time" are two of the most tuneless (& funkless for that matter) hits I've ever heard.

I can't tell which of the two is the better singer; I find their vocals equally unpleasant. Are their voices really that similar, or is just that they've both used those strange vocal-filter effects since as long as I can remember?

― M. Agony Von Bontee (M. Agony Von Bontee), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 17:04 (seventeen years ago) link

...in conclusion, PG would appear to get the nod from me (tho I'll take "Mama" and "ABACAB" and "Turn It On Again" over most any classic-era Genesis.)

― M. Agony Von Bontee (M. Agony Von Bontee), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 17:06 (seventeen years ago) link

Besides, has Phil Collins released versions of his records sung in German? I think not!

"Schaust du mich doch an,
Es gibt nur ein Leerraum..."

― Joe (Joe), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 20:25 (seventeen years ago) link

1. Depends on whether you're in a "prog rock" or a "pop" mood. Shadings of prog rock are all over the early Collins-helmed Genesis albums but ultimately the albums stood or fell on the pop singles (what about Duke is memorable beyond "Misunderstanding" and "Turn It on Again"?).

2. As poppish ear candy, do "Two Hearts" or even "In the Air Tonight" trump "Solsbury Hill" or "Sledgehammer"? On the other hand, is Peter Gabriel 4/Security a perversely pop masterpiece? Is So too lush for its own good? The answer to these questions answers this question.

― ffirehorse (firehorse), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 20:53 (seventeen years ago) link

(what about Duke is memorable beyond "Misunderstanding" and "Turn It on Again"?)

Anything else. More or less. Those are the worst two tracks on the album. "Heathaze", "Duchess" and "Duke's Travels" all showcase a hint of what they used to be at their best though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 23:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Genesis from "Abacab" onwards were second rate Phil Collins-copycats, playing the material that was not considered good (or commercial) enough for Collins' solo albums.

Anything they did in the 70s, at least up to and including "Wind And Wuthering", was absolute genius though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 30 January 2007 23:23 (seventeen years ago) link

A lot of the b-sides from the 1978-1982 era were great: "Evidence of Autumn" (magnificent song), "You Might Recall"...

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 01:34 (seventeen years ago) link

If you like music, you might find something that Genesis or PG did that you like.

If you don't really like music, you might buy a PC album. Could be swapped at any time for, say, Mike and the Mechanics, Hootie and the Blowfish, even Sting.

― Melanie Cooper (pretends to understand), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:16 (seventeen years ago) link

Phil Collins and Genesis during the 80s were mostly the same thing. Sounding completely alike, same sound, same kind of songs. His first three solo albums don't deserve all the shit they usually get. They are great, even though 70s Genesis is of course way better. 80s Genesis was second-rate Collins though.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:27 (seventeen years ago) link

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