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Title: Seriously lacking in the songwriting department
Review: Say what you will about Phil Collins, but his first 3 albums were as good as MOR pop gets. Sadly, this one justifies his reputation as a bland balladeer. Apparently his acting and soundtrack work tapped into his creative juices, because the songs here don't hold up to repeated listenings. Nothing will grab you like "Sussudio", one of the lesser songs from "No Jacket Required". "Hang In Long Enough" is the only track with an edge, but it's undercut by a melody that sounds scotch-taped together.Of the "socially conscious" lyrics, only "Another Day In Paradise" has anything original to say. I found it moving in 1989, but now it just sounds manipulative. I wish he had included more songs like "Take Me Home" and "Inside Out" where the lyrics were open to interpretation, and less preaching.
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