Both Sides

Both Sides
Studio album by Phil Collins
Released 8 November 1993 (UK)[1]
Recorded 1992–1993, Collins's 12 track home studio.
Length 67:10
Label Virgin (UK and Ireland)
Atlantic (US and Canada)
WEA (Rest of the world)
Producer Phil Collins
Phil Collins chronology
Serious Hits... Live!
(1990)		 Both Sides
(1993)		 Dance into the Light
(1996)
Singles from Both Sides
  1. "Both Sides of the Story"
    Released: 18 October 1993
  2. "Everyday"
    Released: 27 January 1994
  3. "We Wait and We Wonder"
    Released: 29 April 1994
  4. "Can't Turn Back the Years"
    Released: 1994 (Promo)[2]
2016 reissue cover
2016 reissue cover with updated photograph
Recreated cover photograph, as part of Collins' 2016 studio album reissues
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Entertainment WeeklyB− link
Rolling Stone link
Scunthorpe Telegraph10/10[4]
Goldmine link
Powermetal.de9/10 link
PopMatters link
The Irish News link

Both Sides is the fifth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Phil Collins. Featuring an adult-oriented soft rock based sound, the release came out in November 1993. Collins notably created the album entirely by himself without any collaborations from outside songwriters and performers, and he picked up mixed to positive critical reviews with the release, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stating that the album's "artistically satisfying" songs feature "troubled, haunting tales".[3]

A special two-disc edition of the album featuring the Live from the Board – Official Bootleg EP[5] as a second disc,[6] titled Far Side... of the World: Gold Souvenir Tour Edition after the final leg of the Both Sides tour, was released in Southeast Asia and Australia in 1995. It peaked at No. 13 in Australia.[7]

The album achieved commercial success, reaching number one in the U.K., number eight in Australia, and number thirteen in the U.S. Collins also went on the highly successful Both Sides of the World Tour upon its release. That effort involved over a hundred performances in a tour that went over a year,[8] and it showed that he remained a big performer live despite the shifts in the Anglo-American musical landscape taking place.

A newly remastered, two-disc deluxe edition of the album was released on 29 January 2016, as part of the 'Take a Look at Me Now' series of Phil Collins studio album reissues.[9]

Development

Both Sides was notable for the fact that Collins made it entirely on his own, without usual collaborators producer Hugh Padgham, guitarist Daryl Stuermer, bassist Leland Sklar and the Phenix Horns. After recording demos at home, the album was finished in just six weeks at the Farm with the help of producer/engineer Paul Gomersall. For the first and only time in his career, Collins played all the instruments himself as well as taking care of the primary production duties. In addition, Collins wrote sleeve notes explaining the meaning of each song, another first.

Collins claims this album to be his favorite. "Both Sides is my favorite album, from a songwriting and creative perspective. It was very much a solo album. I played everything, the songs just streamed out of me, and as a writer that's the kind of thing that you dream of," said Collins in 2016.[10] It was also written in response to the failure of his marriage to second wife Jill Tavelman. "It was the second divorce! Personal relationships at that time were tangled, is a better way of saying it, and it all came very spontaneously," he said.[11] As a result, it is seen as his most personal album. "In the end I had 17 songs, and kicked out all those that did not fit that mood. As far as performance is concerned this has more heart and soul than anything I have done before."[12]

Collins expresses both his feelings and personal problems and addresses political issues over the course of the album. He touches on politics and "the daily cloud of terrorism Britain seems to live under" on "We Wait and We Wonder", but also on a maturing disenchantment with the youth culture on "We're Sons of Our Fathers". The overall sound of Both Sides marked a return to the dark and melancholy style of his early albums Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going!, which were largely grounded on the themes of relationship breakdown and loss. Mirroring the circumstances in which those albums were conceived, Collins' marriage to Jill Tavelman was also failing around the time that Both Sides was written. About the influence of his emotions on his songs he adds: "I have reached this point. Very intimate, very private songs seem to flow easily. I suddenly felt I had a lot to say."[12]

Critical response

Both Sides was met with lukewarm reviews, particularly on adult contemporary radio, being criticised for its over-reliance on slow, dark and downbeat songs. The album was preceded by the title track as the first single, reaching No. 7 in the UK and only No. 25 in the U.S. (in a disappointing chart performance considering the lead singles from his two previous albums were No. 1 hits in America). The album itself was released weeks later only reaching to No. 13 in the U.S., though it still went platinum there. Both Sides was a hit in other European countries such as the UK (where it was the 8th biggest-selling album of 1993, though it was only available for the final eight weeks of the year), Germany or Switzerland, reaching No. 1 all over Europe, but with a limited success, due to the lack of hit singles. The ballad "Everyday", released in early 1994, was another Top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at No. 15, and became the biggest hit single from the album in the U..S, reaching No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The third and last single, "We Wait and We Wonder"—a political anthem on which Collins plays bagpipes—reached only No. 45 in the UK.

Reviews for the 2016 reissue were considerably more positive, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated it 4 out of 5 stars and commended Collins' stepping out of big pop hooks and embracing an introspective art rock style for this album, which he saw as "quietly compelling". On Goldmine Magazine's review, Patrick Prince gave the album 3.5 stars, praising the melancholic style of the album as a welcome return to material similar to Face Value, although he criticized the ballads Everyday and There’s a Place For Us, saying they are "as bad as any sappy movie soundtrack cut ready to be forgotten".

Track listing

All songs written, performed and produced by Phil Collins. All instruments except the drum machine were played live.

No. Title Length
1. "Both Sides of the Story"   6:42
2. "Can't Turn Back the Years"   4:40
3. "Everyday"   5:43
4. "I've Forgotten Everything"   5:15
5. "We're Sons of Our Fathers"   6:24
6. "Can't Find My Way"   5:09
7. "Survivors"   6:05
8. "We Fly So Close"   7:33
9. "There's a Place for Us"   6:52
10. "We Wait and We Wonder"   7:01
11. "Please Come Out Tonight"   5:46

Unreleased tracks

Several instrumental tracks were recorded and subsequently released as extra tracks on both singles for "Everyday" and "We Wait and We Wonder". These instrumental tracks include "Rad Dudeski" and "Don't Call Me Ashley". In addition, there were other various B-sides that were released from the Both Sides sessions ("Take Me with You", "For a Friend") and a few cover songs that made it on other various albums.

There has been discussion about a song called "Deep Water Town". It is from the Both Sides sessions and did not make the cut. It was never released or widely circulated amongst collectors. A very early "demo" of it was released on the official fanclub in 2011. In fact, this is more of an improvisation from which only a bit of the chorus will make it to the completed track. This completed track features an atmospheric drum machine, keyboard sounds (no piano) and vocals by Collins telling a story about a disaster at sea and families left behind.

In November 2004, Collins himself commented on the song on the forum of his old official website: "DEEP WATER TOWN...again I scratch my head and ask how did someone get it... I don't think it was ever released, or am I going slowly senile. It was a pretty song about a disaster at sea, and the families left behind. Obviously one of my more cheerful pre-divorce moments. Circa Both Sides...."[13]

The Both Sides of the World Tour

Although Both Sides failed to reach the same heights as ...But Seriously and No Jacket Required, the supporting tour was a huge success. A mammoth 13-month tour, which saw over 150 performances over 6 continents, The Both Sides of the World Tour proved Collins to be one of the most popular artists in the World.

Personnel

Musicians

All instruments performed by Phil Collins.

Production

Charts and certifications

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] 8
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[15] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 3
Canadian Albums (RPM)[18] 6
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[19] 6
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[20] 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 6
French Albums (SNEP)[22] 1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[23] 1
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[24] 23
Italian Albums (FIMI)[25] 1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[26] 21
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[27] 7
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[28] 4
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[29] 1
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[30] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 3
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 1
US Billboard 200[34] 13
Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[36] Platinum 50,000*
Belgium (BEA)[37] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (ABPD)[38] Gold 100,000*
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[39] Gold 25,000^
France (SNEP)[40] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[41] 3× Platinum 1,500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[42] 2× Platinum 200,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[43] Gold 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[44] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[46] Platinum 50,000*
Portugal (AFP)[47] Gold 20,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Sweden (GLF)[49] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[50] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 1,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ "BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for Phil Collins (page 2)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Phil Collins "Can't Turn Back the Years" at Discogs
  3. 1 2 Both Sides at AllMusic. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ F, Nigel (25 January 2016). "CD REVIEWS: Phil Collins, Old Dominion, Sarah Blasko, Frokedal & Balsamo Deighton". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Phil Collins - Live From The Board - Official Bootleg (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Phil Collins Far Side Of The World Tour '95 Australian 2 CD album set (Double CD) (42406)". eil.com. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  7. ↑ "australian-charts.com - Phil Collins - Far Side... Of The World". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.noise11.com/news/phil-collins-starts-work-on-catalogue-remasters-20150513
  9. 1 2 Sinclair, Paul. "Phil Collins / Face Value and Both Sides deluxe reissue details". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  10. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2016/oct/17/phil-collins-webchat-not-dead-yet-the-singles?page=with:block-5800a16ee4b01ffb8ffcb8c3#liveblog-navigation
  11. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2016/oct/17/phil-collins-webchat-not-dead-yet-the-singles?page=with:block-5800a16ee4b01ffb8ffcb8c3#liveblog-navigation
  12. 1 2 Genesis News Com [it]: Phil Collins – Both Sides – CD review. Genesis-news.com. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  13. ↑ http://genesisgts.conforums.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pcsolo&num=1309780636&start=15
  14. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Library and Archives Canada. 31 March 2004. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  19. ↑ . 8/1/1994 http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Billboard-Magazine.htm. Retrieved 10 October 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  21. ↑ source: Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. ISBN 9789511210535. page: 280
  22. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tous les "Chart Runs" des Albums classés depuis 1985 dans le Top Albums Officiel". InfoDisk. SNEP. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  23. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Top 100 Longplay". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  24. ↑ "Top 40 album DVD és válogatáslemez-lista – 2016. 7. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Gli album più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  26. ↑ http://www.oricon.co.jp/
  27. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  28. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  29. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. 4/12/1993. Retrieved 9 February 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). "Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002" (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  32. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Phil Collins – Both Sides". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  33. ↑ November 1993 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  34. ↑ "Phil Collins – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Phil Collins.
  35. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  36. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in German). IFPI Austria. Enter Phil Collins in the field Interpret. Enter Both Sides in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  37. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 1994". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  38. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos.
  39. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides". IFPI Denmark. Click on næste to go to page if certification from official website
  40. ↑ "French album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in French). InfoDisc. Select PHIL COLLINS and click OK
  41. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Phil Collins; 'Both Sides')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  42. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 July 2012. Select Album e Compilation in the field Sezione. Enter Phil Collins in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  43. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  45. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  46. ↑ "Norwegian album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  47. ↑ "Portuguese album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa.
  48. ↑ "Spanish album certifications – Phil Collins – Both Sides" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Select the "Chart", enter ' in the field "Year". Select ' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
  49. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  50. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Phil Collins; 'Both Sides')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  51. ↑ "British album certifications – Both Sides of the Story". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Both Sides of the Story in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  52. ↑ "American album certifications – Both Sides". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
Preceded by
Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf		 UK number one album
20 November 1993 – 26 November 1993 		Succeeded by
Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf
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