Even though they only lasted two albums (plus a new song for their Greatest Hits album), those first - and only - two albums by FYC were perfect, an irresistible blend of pop, soul, funk with touches of Motown, reggae and ska. They were bold enough to attempt a cover of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds", and did a great job covering it. Another popular cover version is their take on Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen in Love". I prefer the FYC version, only because it made an impression in Jonathan Demme's quirky cult classic "Something Wild" from 1986. The band must have thought it was good enough to wait two years to put it on their sophomore album, "The Raw and the Cooked."
You can pick up a FYC compilation, but you're better off with their first two albums.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
No Jacket Required: Gold Edition
With the recent news of Phil Collins' retiring from music because of health issues, and the recent release of the 24K/Gold edition by Audio Fidelity of Collins' 1985 mega-successful "No Jacket Required...", it seems only fitting that I pay tribute to Collins' album that won the Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year.
Collins had gained much success as the lead singer of Genesis. In 1981, he released his debut album, "Face Value" (which has also been issued in gold by Audio Fidelity). But it wasn't until 1984 that Collins' solo career took off into the stratosphere. He composed and recorded the hugely successful theme song to the film "Against All Odds" and recorded the hit song "Easy Lover" with Earth Wind and Fire's Philip Bailey. Then, in 1985, Collins unleashed "No Jacket Required" on the public. "Sussudio", "One More Night" and "Take Me Home" all became radio staples. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing Collins on the radio.
Over 25 years later, "No Jacket Required" still holds up, but it's not hard to feel like it's 1985 again when you listen to this album - it literally was the soundtrack of 1985, along with Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" and Whitney Houston's debut album.
"No Jacket Required" has needed to be remastered for some time, and Steve Hoffman has done a good job upgrading Collins' most successful solo album. The drums - Collins' trademark - are loud and crisp.
There are no bonus tracks or extended albums, but like the jacket, they are not required.
Collins had gained much success as the lead singer of Genesis. In 1981, he released his debut album, "Face Value" (which has also been issued in gold by Audio Fidelity). But it wasn't until 1984 that Collins' solo career took off into the stratosphere. He composed and recorded the hugely successful theme song to the film "Against All Odds" and recorded the hit song "Easy Lover" with Earth Wind and Fire's Philip Bailey. Then, in 1985, Collins unleashed "No Jacket Required" on the public. "Sussudio", "One More Night" and "Take Me Home" all became radio staples. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing Collins on the radio.
Over 25 years later, "No Jacket Required" still holds up, but it's not hard to feel like it's 1985 again when you listen to this album - it literally was the soundtrack of 1985, along with Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" and Whitney Houston's debut album.
"No Jacket Required" has needed to be remastered for some time, and Steve Hoffman has done a good job upgrading Collins' most successful solo album. The drums - Collins' trademark - are loud and crisp.
There are no bonus tracks or extended albums, but like the jacket, they are not required.
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