10 Perfect Soft Rock Music Albums Of The '80s

From prog rock drummer to mainstream rock frontman to solo superstar, Phil Collins' trajectory was nothing short of incredible as the '80s blew in.

During the Peter Gabriel era, Genesis were a seminal, often incredibly opaque progressive outfit. When Gabriel cut ties to go solo, Collins pulled double duty, now providing the vocals as well as the drums. Most importantly, he led the group in a very different, far more commercial direction, providing listeners with a more accessible, more pop and soft rock-focused sound.

This new vibe followed Collins to his 1981 solo debut. In the preceding years, Collins' marriage had buckled under the weight of extensive touring and, by the time he hit the recording studio for 'Face Value', he was in the closing stages of his divorce. Unsurprisingly, the heartache of his failed marriage provides the lyrical backbone of this LP, infusing it with a dark sense of longing and heartbreak.

Released to almost universal acclaim, Collins earned praise both for his deeply personal but relatable lyricism and eclectic blend of instruments and musical styles. Lead single 'In The Air Tonight' has gone on to become a landmark track in rock music, even making some surprise appearances on the charts decades after its initial release and getting frequently used in commercials, films, and TV shows.

Already a star, Collins reached a new level of status within the music industry with this soft rock masterclass, which bolstered both his solo work and Genesis' success in the years after.