This is a solid overall album, but tends to get a bad rap because of the time period that it comes from. In reading the other reviews, I have noticed a lot of anti-Phil-Collins invective thrown at this record, but keep in mind that in 1986, Phil was at the top of his game, and was in demand as a producer and musician. Clapton, whose career has taken many twists and turns over the years, was in the midst of his "rock star" period with large-scale productions like "Behind the Sun", "Journeyman" and this one. Viewed in this light, one cannot fault his choice of Collins as producer, as he had his finger on the cultural pulse at the time.

The core band (Clapton, Collins, plus studio heavies Greg Phillinganes and Nathan East) is packed with talent, and the production is certainly worthy of them (The one lone exception is "It's in the Way that You Use It", which was already part of "The Color of Money" soundtrack and merely added to this album). Granted, Clapton's guitar work is not as prominent as in his other works, but it is clear that he put more of himself into the vocals than usual, especially on "Hung Up on Your Love", "Miss You", and "Holy Mother".

This work may be more slick and polished than most Clapton afecionados may prefer, but that does not disqualify from being a good album. I suspect that most of the criticism of this album stems more from anti-80s attitudes in general.

If you weren't around in 1986 when this album was released, you may not appreciate "August", but those of us that were do.

I have all of Eric Clapton's albums, including stuff from his Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek & the Dominoes days, and I have to say "August," "Behind the Sun," and "Journeyman" are the three albums of his I tend to come back to most. "August" is second only to "Journeyman" as the most enjoyable of the three.

I've seen many complaints about Phil Collins's bad influence (pun intended) on the album, but it really doesn't phase me, as I enjoyed "Behind the Sun." The album was released in '86, but the only song that sounds dated to me is the duo with Tina Turner,"Tearing Us Apart." But songs like "It's in the Way that You Use it," "Run," "Holy Mother," and "Miss You," stand out as some of my favorites.

If I recall, "Behind the Sun" (the album before "August") was hailed as somewhat of a comeback album, giving Clapton more of a commercial appeal, and putting him back in the public eye. "August" just extended the winning streak with the hit theme song from "The Color of Money" -- "It's in the Way That You Use it" -- as well as his reworking of "After Midnight" for a beer commercial (was that for Miller Lite?). And he looked every inch the suave guitar god -- styled hair, trimmed beard, and a good fashion sense. Best of all, he seemed to be having fun on stage again, helping to bring this material, as well as his older stuff, to life.

So while "August" isn't "Slowhand" or "461 Ocean Boulevard," it's a nice Clapton 80's time capsule, showing an artist that hit his stride after reinventing himself for a new decade of success.

This CD was an extraordinary musical achievement. If you have a sense for pop music above the average (and superbly produced, too), and are a man with a heart that can yearn sweetly or painfully for a new love or an old love lost, this music is yours.

Load your pining and pain on this streamliner of a CD and you will have salve for your souls. AUGUST is pure medicine for that one particular special situation previously mentioned. I don't see people liking it so much for general consumption as for a needed tonic when love and loss are in the current experience of the listener. This music is no downer -- it moves like a station-bound train.

I read the critical reviews here a few weeks ago, and on first impression they are by well-meaning hyper-purists within the blues-ish and free form guitar camp. Lets not pick nits. We all love Eric Clapton -- but you are wrong about this album. It is a tight and powerful package of feeling-driven songs of power, love and passion.

With nine of the twelve tracks here being pure rubies, this CD far surpasses standard application of my "50 percent" test -- *IF* half of the tracks on a given music release are good, it passes.

I will add that much of the terrific 1980's music (superb as it was), sounds to the 21st century ear as being a tad heavy on the drums. AUGUST uses drums most truly, but they do not mar the production by being overly hard or too upfront. They hit the spot sweet spot but are not overdone.

I bought this 1986 album on vinyl in 1987 and I couldn't tell people enough about it at that time. I've been listening to this CD again -- and repeatedly -- this month. Sonic medicine for the heart...

I believe alot of people are giving this cd a bad review because they like the Clapton of the 70s without the synthesizers. In my opinion, this is an excellent cd. Sure, there are a few songs that aren't so good. Hey, nobody is perfect! There is nothing wrong with a synthesizer as long as guitars and drums accompany it. Buy this cd. It is highly underrated.

AUGUST isn't the typical Clapton CD--and by typical I mean it doesn't SOUND like a Clapton CD. It sounds like a Phil Collins' CD, which isn't surprising, seeing as how Collins co-produced this album. There're no blues riffs or grinding guitars on AUGUST and the shock might throw you, but just listen to it, give it a chance, and the beauty of the songs will become clear to you. Why only one song, "The Way That You Use It", was invited to be on Clapton's Best Of CD, CHRONICLES, bothers me. Several of AUGUST's tunes should've been included. "Holy Mother" and "Behind the Mask" are just a couple of my favorites. But (sigh) I don't make music, I just listen to it.