The question about Huey Lewis & the News was lost on me. I can't name more than 2 songs from them, so I guess that means NOPE. But I know lots of Dan Quayle jokes, does that count?
Do you like Phil Collins, CleverNickName?
I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album,
Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. It was too artsy, too intellectual, too ... Gabriel. It was on
Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think
Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums.
Just listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument they are playing. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. You can hear it in any song, but ... just take the lyrics to
Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority.
In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Those lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.
Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like
In the Air Tonight and
Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist.
Only a true artist could take the pain of killing a man and turn it into the sweet, sweet soundtrack of the visual masterpiece that is
Miami Vice.