The dark, thudding opener "Entertainmen" is one of Phillips's most intriguing songs. Thereafter things get wonky as Phillips and her cohorts (Marc Ribot, husband T-Bone Burnett, Jerry Scheff, and others) let their experimental urges run free on songs that are a little too clever and complex for most listeners. A disappointment after 1991's near-perfect Cruel Inventions. --Jeff Bateman Amazon.com
 |  | Anger is the worst sort of muse |  |
I had bought this album with great hopes. For one, I had heard some really wonderful comments about the depth and quality of Sam Phillips' music. Secondly, I know that the producer of this album (T Bone Burnett) can work some powerful magic to make music artists shine no matter what the material. Sadly, at least for this album, all the talent and production magic cannot change the fact that this is an album that is pretty much filled with anger over a relationship gone wrong.
While this sort of inspiration can come up with some great art, in this case it just did not click. There is just too much vitriol in these songs and the wordplay seems rather pushed around rather than seamless. There are times when a bit of distance is called for, and I wish that this album could have benefited from some time and rewriting. The fact is that Phillips' attempt at clever comes across as unnecessarily hurtful, which reduces even the most brave attempt at originality to come across as clichéd. It also seems to be a forced attempt at pretending to be Dorothy Parker, without the genius that is necessary for sardonic humor to succeed.
It may be true that "hell hath no fury as a woman scorned", but that aphorism cuts both ways. I heard this album only once, and that's enough for me because it is a waste of effort from two clearly talented people. They both could have used about a year between the writing and producing of these songs since some rewriting of the lyrics could have really made this album much better. Instead, it is a monument to spite and therefore not worth all that much.
The Book of James has a passage that speaks about the tongue that compares the use of hurtful words to a river spewing out salt water and clear water at once. Sam Phillips should have heeded these words. The bitter salt of her tears has made the songs on this album unpalatable at best.
May 11, 2008Yes, it's different from her other albums - each one is different! This one is dark and edgy. Marlena Dietrich meets the Beatles with a trace of King Crimson. Surprising textures. Lots of those incredibly yummy rock grooves Sam does so freaking well (especially Power World, Entertainmen, Slapstick Heart...). Every song has a different sound. Very passionate, deep lyrics as always, although they're easier to understand and relate to than some of her latest work (from A Boot & A Shoe onwards). Between this, Martinis & Bikinis, the Indescribable Wow, and Cruel Invention I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite. It's incredible she isn't better known, but I don't think she tours, so that's probably it.
February 7, 2008 | | wish she'd record some more | |
oh Leslie, (Sam) - you have the MOST amazing voice I have ever heard! You could sing words from a phone book & people would be blessed! Wish you'd record some more soon...
January 4, 2007| | | Light years ahead of its time... | |
Ignore all the blathering and hypothesizing about this disc -- simply put: it's brilliant. Like anything substantial within the world of "art," it doesn't offer immediate access -- one must develop a relationship with its many layers and levels and secret heart. After the masterwork of Cruel Inventions, the Beatles-drenched bardo of Martinis and Bikinis -- Omnipop follows like a beautiful love child. Sam Phillips is a queen.
June 12, 2004 | | Very Interesting Music... | |
Sam Phillips remains a highly praised artist by critics, but woefully under-supported by the masses. She intentionally flips back and forth between 'commercial' releases and then 'experimental and artistic' releases. Her debut "Indescribable Wow" was a commercial release, which contained some of the best pop songs every written. Then, she took an experimental and artistic turn with the gem "Cruel Inventions". Then, she came back with the commercial "Martinis and Bikinis", so now we are back to the 'experimental and artistic' with Omnipop. This CD is way out in left field and themes mostly on sexuality and it really works. My favorite cuts are the first song, which to me, is one of her best. She took the word 'entertainment' and left off the 't' on the end and look what you got: "Entertain-men", which is the focus of this song - how life can sometimes revolve around what entertains men, especially where women are concerned. Is it just me or does Sam's voice sound so incredibly sexy when she sings "Watch me... Watch me... Ahhhhh.... Oh let me by your TV, AAHHHHH"!?!? I love the freshness and artsy-ness of "Plastic is Forever". I absolutely loved the sexy and jazzy "Help Yourself". Die-hard fans will find "Power World" a familiar Sam Phillip's trademark. You can always count on Sam to never sound the same, and this one is her most intriguing release to date.
June 20, 2003More reviews at Amazon.com ...
