Phil Collins ‎– No Jacket Required

Excellent pressing. Everything sounds clean, with nuances I had never heard before. Japanese pressings really are the best.

In the early '80s, Phil Collins commandeered Genesis’ transition from prog-rock standard-bearers to Top 40 hit machine, while launching his own successful solo career to a great extent. 1985, however, was surely the Year of the Phil, when, in the wake of Genesis’ 1983 eponymous chart-topper and his own GRAMMYⓇ-winning theme tune for the movie Against All Odds, Collins dropped his blockbuster third long-player, No Jacket Required. Not only did the album serve as the peak of Collins’ incomparable ‘80s hot streak, it was also a defining sonic document of the era—with all the saxophone solos, squealing guitars, glossy synths, and percolating programmed drum beats to prove it.

Collins, up to this point in his solo career, tended to vacillate between reverential ‘60s-retro homage and modern production techniques, No Jacket Required, however, easily fused the two into a glitzy Motown-meets-MTV sound every bit as funky and frisky as what pop juggernauts like Madonna, Prince, and Michael Jackson were pumping out at the time. On irresistible opener “Sussudio” and its similarly styled companion “Who Said I Would,” Collins proved that he too could party like it’s 1999, with synth stabs and brass jabs that thrust you onto the dance floor with all the subtlety of an electric cattle prod. The album also reinforced Collins’ status as a master balladeer, whether he was slinking into the soft-focus romantic reverie “One More Night” or wading into politically charged terrain on the equally exotic and ominous “Long Long Way to Go.” But on a record where every song could’ve been a hit single—and half of them actually were—Collins saves the best for last with the towering “Take Me Home.” It’s a cut that flawlessly encapsulates his ‘80s imperial phase, where even a song that grimly details a man’s descent into madness couldn’t help but sound like a heaven-sent inspirational anthem.

This is a nice sounding record for the time. Pretty good soundstage and separation. It doesn’t sound veiled at all. If you like the music, it’s a good buy. They’re all cheap.

Why does this unassuming record sound soooo good? Get one!

hello, is this image that looks like a speaker is part of this cd? I have the American edition and I don't have this image

Excellent pressing. Minimal to non existent sound floor. Very happy with this

A little misleading because I was told I needed a jacket. Solid album tho. A++++

Odd, mine has the "Biem" spelling, but does have the barcode...

My item : on labels BIEM is written in capitals.