Phil Collins - (1982) Hello, I Must Be Going!

By	Daniel J. Hamlow (Chikusei City, Japan) - See all my reviews

Another Genesis album, Abacab, was followed a year later by another Phil Collins solo album. Hello, I Must Be Going was a clear indication of the Earth, Wind, & Fire type soul-pop that would yield the Grammy-winning No Jacket Required. For the most part, gone were the "weird" songs like "In The Air Tonight" or the cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows." His note-for-note cover of the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," which went to #10, is ample evidence of the pop/soul direction that would hit pay dirt later on. It's still infectious and has its place in the 80's, a decade and a half before the original hit #1. The closest thing to "In The Air Tonight," with the airy synths, is "Thru These Walls," of how loneliness feeds upon the need to listen with a glass to the wall or stare out at the window at goings on, where a genuine need to touch someone isn't an option in the cold world. Next up is the disgust and apathy of being ridiculed and having one's name dragged in the dirt of "I Don't Care Anymore," which made it to #39. However, there was none of the haunting eeriness which made "Air" a hit. The slow "Do You Know Do You Care" has a droning synth and guitars, with Collins' vocals overlaid on that airy soundscape. It sounds more like later day Genesis, come to think of it. The third single, the upbeat "I Cannot Believe It's True," only made it to #79 despite the snazzy horns. This is puzzling given how similar-sounding singles by him shot to the Top Ten in later years. The Phenix Horns, his brass band, gives this song, and others like "It Don't Matter To Me" quite the kick. Two piano ballads are "Don't Let Him Steal Your Heart Away," which gains a bit of momentum with his steady drumming, the strings matching the pounded piano chords, and the sad but tender "Why Can't It Wait Till Morning," which is Phil on piano, the strings, and nothing else. Another singleworthy song and one of my favourites here. Collins was also at the producer's helm this time, with assistance from Hugh Padgham, the brains behind Face Value and the Police's Synchronicity, and would continue with him in his Grammy-winning triumph. And Daryl Steurmer, whose snarling guitar would be most noticeable in "Don't Lose My Number," has guitar chores here. Whereas Face Value showed many sides of Collins, this is basically a prelude to the hit that No Jacket Required would become. Maybe call this No Vest Required? Yet one can't help but think that Collins' solo success also fed upon the success of his group. Following this, Genesis would gain their first Top Ten hit with "That's All," and during that time, Collins would pave the way to superstardom with a few non-album hits and some big events. So, goodbye, I must be going.

Tracklist:
01. I Don't Care Anymore
02. I Cannot Believe It's True
03. Like China
04. Do You Know, Do You Care?
05. You Can't Hurry Love
06. It Don't Matter To Me
07. Thru These Walls
08. Don't Let Him Steel Your Heart Away
09. The West Side
10. Why Can't It Wait 'Til Morning