There's a song that's been on my mind

There's a love-hate relationship that most 80s fans have with Phil Collins. We love tunes like "In the Air Tonight." But we mock and curse the catchier popiness of the "Sussudio's" of his catalog.

For the record: "Sussudio" is worse than an earworm. It's like those dreaded eels in "Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan." It burrows a hole in my skull and forces me to do things against my will -- like go see "Steel Magnolias" -- until eventually insanity sets in and I end up using a phaser on myself deep beneath the surface of Ceti Alpha 5.

Collins is perhaps the reason iTunes and iPops were invented. He cranks out singles with the same ruthless efficiency that I wield sci-fi movie quotes. He's the reason "Greatest Of" albums were invented.

Still, Phil's not hurting for album sales. His highest selling disc of the 80s? "No Jacket Required," with 30-million albums sold worldwide (along with the requisite Grammy Award in 1986).

But is it his best album? That's what Times pop music Sean Daly and I will decide on this week's podcast.

Personally, I fear for my self-control and behavior during this week's show. While I tend to lean toward the New Romantic acts of the 80s -- we all know this much is true -- and the offbeat sounds of Aussie and West Coast sounds, Daly is a bona fide Collins junkie. He has "Don't Lose My Number" as his cell phone's ringtone.

So before we settle this once and for all, what's your opinion? Is "No Jacket Required" Phil's opus? Or maybe it's "Face Value." Drop us a comment and we'll share the best on the show.

Comments

[Marissa]

Hey Steve! I bet the song that shall not be mentioned but is suggested in this original post is no longer in your ear,huh?

[Marissa]

You've tried using a Q-tip, Steve? The extra long ones you see in the doctor's office?

[GlennS.]

Face Value gets my vote. In The Air Tonight is still his most striking number, and I liked that he did a seldom-covered Beatles song (Tomorrow Never Knows).

To my ears, No Jacket Required was when he started getting cloying. One More Night is one of those tracks that gets an instant station change from me.

[Spears]

(Pulling out phaser...)

[Marissa]

it's sitting in a cardboard box.

[Spears]

Is it sitting in box?

[Marissa]

Time for a review. I won't go off half-cocked on this opinion poll.

I owned "No Jacket Required" but I havent played it in a long time. Probably because it's a cassette and sitting in a box. Sitting in a cardboard box.

[CHAD]

im my opinion, no jacket required is the better record. face value, and but seriously have some great tunes on them, but no jacket required is more consistent. in fact, i like every song on it. it has a really good flow. i might even say, the best songs on it, are not the hits. songs like, only you know and i know, i dont wanna know, who said i would, and inside out are all great songs. hello, i must be going is pretty good as well, but doesnt come close to the greatness of the other three 80s records by phil. plus, you have to admit, the video for dont lose my number is, dare i say, classic. sorry steve.