Phil Collins - Dance into the Light

Dance into the Light

Dance into the Light being Collins 1996 release and his 6th studio album and is an ok album. Collins seems to be running out of ideas on this album. The sound that made him famous in the 80's is not there. The lyrics are not as strong as one previous efforts. Dance into the light is a pretty good track but if one thinks of his past efforts it falls short. The book-let is atrocious. Collins looks odd to say the least. The clothes are so ugly. The book-let is filled with odd photographs that look like some kid had fun with photoshop. His rendition of the times are a-changin is alright but Collins version is nowhere as strong as the original. 3/5. October 15, 2008

Phil's 1st CD After Leaving GENESIS ... Holds A Few of His Best Songs, and Then Some

When Phil Collins left GENESIS in early 1996, the music world was shocked at his decision to (just) pursue his continuing solo career, while his former band-mates recruited, Ray Wilson, on vocals the following year. GENESIS would record "Calling All Stations," while Mr. Collins worked on his sixth solo album entitled "Dance Into the Light."

I have to say that while it's not his (best release), it's still got a few tracks on it that have become some of my favourite songs by the man.
"The Same Moon" - "It's in Your Eyes" - "That's What You Said"
"Just Another Story" - "Oughta Know By Now" - "Love Police" and
"Dance into the Light" are great tracks, while the rest are basically
filler at best. Like his previous release, "Both Sides" , this CD
has never been fully appreciated by music critics, as well as fans
of the albums that Phil Collins put out in the 1980's with GENESIS
and on his own.

It wouldn't be long until Phil would make a return to the charts with
the hit "You'll Be in My Heart" from the Tarzan Movie Soundtrack.
This singles was actually his first hit in five years, since the
single "Everyday" from "Both Sides" had moderate success in the winter
of 1993/1994. In the ten years since "Dance Into the Light" was first
released, Phil has re-joined his fellow band-mates in GENESIS for a world-wide reunion tour, and has released one more solo disc in "Testify," which has a few good tracks on it as well.

If you're looking for the pop-oriented sounds of "Face Value" and "No Jacket ..." you may not like this CD that much, but if you enjoyed
"Both Sides" and "Testify," then you're sure to like at least half of
what this CD has to offer.









July 28, 2007

Dance into the light and dance to the songs!

These songs are great to dance to. Phil's drum work here is astonoshing! Some of the songs have to do with freedom. I like the African style he had in these songs. Wear My Hat was NOT Phil at all. That was the only song that drove me mad! Other than that this album was a definet buy for me. You should consider it too. January 9, 2006

Dance With Phil!

After the personal and exprimental "Both Sides" Phil went back to his trademark sound again with horns and happy vibes with "Dance Into the Light" in 1996, the album was a mix of dance-pop and sensitive ballads. If you look at the cover you'll find out that it was the first time you didn't see Phil's head shot on the cover, but rather a full profile of him. It was a new-start for him, and he took his freedom to explore some African music along the way. The idea was to make a personal version of Paul Simon's 1986 album "Graceland" with inflerunts from all over the world.

"Dance Into the Light" the title track is a very happy uptempo song, it sound like "Hand in Hand" from Face Value but this time around with lyrics and even more dance feeling. It was a rather big hit in Europe in 1996. "That's What I said" is a good old Collins song, a midtempo rock-pop song about love. "Lorenzo" is what's new with Collins on this album, it's a world music song with African infleunted drums and sound all over it. Sound like taken from "The Lion King" or something. "Just Another Story" is jazzy with piano and horns, but melancholy. I like this song alot. "Love Police" is a uptempo song, not the best here but alright. "Wear My Hat" was a minor hit, and it's rather unique. Sound like taken from the movie "The Mask" or somnthing. It's funny and catchy, surprising that Collins released it. "It's in Your Eyes" is a ballad, one of few here. "Oughta Know by Now" is a midtempo with 80's feeling, with drums, horns, synths and a awesome guitar solo. "Take me Down" sound like "My Hat". "The Same Moon" is another ballad, musically it's very beautiful with a guitar solo. "River So Wild" follows the Africa path. "No Matter Who" is a midtempo song, quite forgettable but ok. Last song "The Times they're A Changin" is a Bob Dylan cover, he does it very well with a cathcy 90's feeling to it. Collins make it his own.

Overall, a great comeback afer "Both Sides". This album experience a new side of Collins again with world music and many catchy uptempo songs. This album is rather underrated, cause it's beautiful to listen to but also entertaining with it's immense diversity. If you liked older albums, I'm sure you will enjoy this one aswell. November 1, 2005

Phil was losing his musical touch here and trying to be commercial

This album just plain SUCKED. I encourage change and experimenting but this album just showed that even phil collins can run out of material. For the first time it appeared as though phil was trying and even struggling to create. I have mixed emotions of anything he has done since but seriously. In that album the musicianship is phenomenal and there are so many people playing on it. Also, his drum patterns and acoustics were extraordinary. Dance into the light was dufficult to listen to. When I bought it in 1996 I had goosebumps the entire drive home waiting to listen to it. I remembering not even making it to the 4th song. It was hard to listen to. The drum patterns were weak. There was no real strong moments except for otta know by now which felt pretty rocky and convincing like most phil collins related material does. I was just disppointed. Daryl Steurmer's presence was different as well. Look, I guess I am so used to phil doing such high quality stuff that when this came out I was just let down. Oh well, noone can stay on top forever. October 18, 2005

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