Phil was a great drummer. Unfortunately he got put in front of a microphone and never shut up.
Phil was an OK drummer. But like you said being up front with microphone brings out alot. As fare as his PF critique I think he is being kind of a hissy because PF is way more influential and popular to this day than him or Gensis. Just take a look at that BS video Land of Confusion. I remember when that came out and it was crap. I might be wrong but PF did not do videos for MTV so correct me if I am wrong.