 |
| The World from the Side of the Moon (c) 2012 Interscope/19 Records |
This week, Phillip Phillips releases his debut album- The World From the Side of the Moon, which features twelve original songs, including of course, Home.
Phillips' sound is hard to explain- I know it's been done a million times before, but I have to say, he has a very Dave Matthews style about him. Combine that with the guitar heavy Mumford and Sons indie vibe, and you get Phillip Phillips. But as he proved on Idol, he's much more than that.
Let's take a look at each track on the album below:
1. "Man on the Moon": A decent opener. The intricate guitar work and Phillip's gritty "Oh yeah"s pull you in instantly. It's a pretty listenable song and one of my favorites on the album.
2. "Home": Come on, you know you love this song. Apparently the world does too, since at the time of posting this review, this song is still #4 on the US iTunes Chart- six months after it's release! With it's guitar-laden, nostalgic vibe, this song is easily the best song on the album and one of the best songs of 2012 (if not the best). Honest, straightforward and purely original, this song just rules.
3. "Gone, Gone, Gone": Similar to Home, this song is another great one. Mumford vibe firmly in place, Phillip delivers a foot tapping, singable track, complete with hand-claps and a great hook. My favorite song on the album after Home. I hope this becomes the next single, I smell another big hit.
4."Hold On": Not the best song on the album, nor one of my favorites, but you can sit through it. Phillip works it with his voice like nothing else matters. Nice. Not crazy for it though.
5. "Tell Me a Story": A sentimental, simple song,which Phillip delivers flawlessly. His voice is the main attraction here (apart from the guitars, of curse) and it's a great listen.
6. "Get Up Get Down": Remember Phillip's performance of "Beggin'" on American Idol ? This is the same vibe. It reminded me of a Santana song sometimes, and I loved it. Phillip does know how to entertain.
7. "Where We Came From": I loved this song to bits. Another winner for me. It ends up sounding a bit too mainstream pop, but still has the trademark Phillip Phillips stamp on it. Very clever and nicely done.
8. "Drive Me": The song starts out robust and heavy from the start, and leads to a chorus that is again, reminiscent of Phillip's performances on Idol. He sounds comfortable and at home, like he's back on the Idol stage. Do what you do, Phillip.
9. "Wanted Is Love": Another good song, Phillip manages to sound convincing and emotional while delivering this song about a tense relationship. His voice touches new depths and you'll really appreciate his talent on this one. From his gritty deep tone to his light falsetto, he does it all here.
10. "Can't Go Wrong": I loved this song so much! The chorus is one of the best on the album. Again, amid strumming guitars and soft beats, this pleasant song is another highlight on the album. A perfect amalgamation of so many different instruments and Phillip's voice in the midst of it all. Brilliant.
11. "A Fool's Dance": Another of my non-favorites. You can safely skip this one unless you're a superfan. It's delivered well, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the overall sound. A little on the "Meh" side for me. Sorry, fans, don't hate me.
12. "So Easy": And...we close off with a great song. Not too memorable this song, but to round off an album, good enough. You make it (look) so easy, Phillip.
Remember when Jimmy Iovine (of Interscope Records) told Phillip not to wear grey and that very week, Phillip stepped on stage wearing three different shades of grey? Same thing on this album. This guy defies everyone, and maybe that's what makes him so unique. Thankfully, Phillip ignores temptation and refuses to go mainstream with his music. Still, it's not that indie-sounding that fans of mainstream music will be put off. It's a brilliant combination of the two, and I imagine fans of both styles of music will be pleased. It's also a big step for the American Idol management, since they allowed Phillip to stay true to his roots and not try something radically mainstream.
The overall sound of the album matches Phillips' laid back personality perfectly. Most songs are guitar heavy, without over production and unnecessary enhancements. Phillip's voice is front and center, and that's the way I like it. His growls, tone and gravelly texture are unmatched. On my first listen, I struggled to find my favorites, but after a couple more listens, I found many.
I wasn't the biggest Phillip Phillips fan on this season's Idol (Team Jessica!) but I have to say, I'm a convert now. His debut album stands right up there with Kelly Clarkson's Thankful and Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts as one of the strongest American Idol debuts ever. Phillips' unassuming, laid back style and presence make this album a definite listen. He shows a great level of originality and artistry here, without falling into the post-Idol mainstream-wannabe tendency.
There's plenty on this album for non-fans, and Idol and P2 fans will devour this album. Phillip Phillips could well be one of American Idol's most important contributions to the current music landscape.
RATING: ★★★★
Other album reviews you may like: