A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1981 album 'Face Value' by Phil Collins in (just under) twenty minutes. 

Face Value was an instant commercial success and reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for three weeks. It has since sold over 1.5 million in the UK. The album received widespread praise from critics and launched Collins' solo career whose commercial success would ultimately outstrip that of Genesis. Its lead single 'In the Air Tonight', released in January 1981, reached No. 2 on the UK singles chart and became known for its distinct drum arrangement.

During a break in activity from Genesis Collins set up a Sequential Prophet-5 synthesiser, piano, Roland CR-78 drum machine, and an 8-track tape machine in his bedroom, and recorded a collection of demos with backing tracks, pencilling early lyrics. He was not concerned with the quality of the recordings as what may have lacked in the recordings would have been salvaged with the emotion in the songs. There were numerous times where he stopped recording earlier than planned as the ideas were not working in the studio, leaving him to resume the following day. Collins based the majority of Face Value (and many subsequent tracks) on the divorce he had endured, and used his solo career as an outlet for his feelings.

In January 2016, Face Value was reissued with bonus tracks and new photography in the style of the original but featuring the face of a now sixty-five year old Collins.

In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and do leave feedback if you like what you have heard.

Mathew Woodall