Dance Into The Light – Christopher Thelen

Phil Collins has a lot of nerve.

After a public divorce from his wife (and the rumor he told her
of his plans via fax machine) and splitting from Genesis after over
two decades with the band, Collins announced he wanted to
concentrate on his solo career – a decision which had critics
snickering, after the commercial flop of his album
Both Sides.

Collins had critics like myself thinking he had committed career
suicide. He has a lot of nerve to prove me wrong with his latest
release,
Dance Into The Light.

The album features Collins taking himself much less serious than
previous efforts. Indeed, a lightness seems to flow through the
music, as if he had lifted the weight of the world from his
shoulders. The title track, with its different rhythm pattern,
instantly engages the listener, and is one of the best singles
Collins has written in a long time.

Don’t think that all the songs are about giddiness and dancing,
however. “That’s What You Said,” despite its peppy beat, sounds
like it could have been written by the ex-Mrs. Collins. The message
of someone who had loved, lost and was deeply hurt is almost lost
in the pop jingle, but repeated listenings reveal the song for what
it is.

Collins even takes on a cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are
A-Changin'” and breathes some life into it. This isn’t the same
person who drudged through “Another Day In Paradise” a few years
ago – it sounds like Collins is having fun again.

With the addition of an international percussion feel, Collins
revives his solo career in a manner similar to the way Paul Simon
did back on
Graceland. Songs like “Lorenzo” and “Wear My Hat” capture
that groove, and are very satisfying – “Lorenzo” reminds me a bit
of “Driving The Last Spike” from Genesis’
We Can’t Dance.

There are so many hits on the album, it’s hard to find any boat
anchors. There is one, albeit a minor one – “Just Another Story”
almost sounds too Don Henley-ish for the album, but the cut grows
on the listener after a few spins in the CD player.

I really wanted to hate this album – hell, I almost didn’t even
buy it – but Collins manages to win over even the toughest critic
with
Dance Into The Light. This is probably his best album ever,
and will probably be heard for months to come with all the
potential hit singles on it.

So what are you waiting for? Get up and
Dance. (And while I’m up, does anyone have Phil’s fax
number? I’d love to let him know I was wrong.)