Wilson Phillips - Shadows & Light

Flawed Second Album

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2PKU2RUT7SK75 My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!! August 19, 2008

Wilson Phillips' sophomore effort

Although the tracks on this album are good,it didn't spawn as many hits as Wilson Phillips' 1990 self-titled debut. The first album was at least,nominated for Grammys. The only Top 10 hit from this album is YOU WON'T SEE ME CRY. October 12, 2006

Charming sometimes and yes they are in harmony.

This Cd is overproduced in that sense that voices and music clashes into a mush. It`s a pity, because when the voices of Wilson Philips "melts" together you start thinkin` about love and endless summernights somtimes. It get`s better and better after more listen, but the effective simplicty from the debut cd is not there. Track 1 I hear you, is a short prelude. An exersise in beautiful harmony, but what`s the point. Track 2 It`s only life it`s an effective popsong, with good harmonies, and a certain push but that`s it. Track 3 You won`t see me cry is a sweet ballad, but in the stream of cliches it`s too little meat on the bone to make it a winner. Track 4 Give it up is a funky good listen, with an upbeat tempo and swings quite ok all trough. The uplifting song on the CD. Track 5 This doesn`t have to be love has charm and a good humming feel. Quality shines. Track 6 Where are you is powerfull with voices in harmony, but the melody struggles with it`s structure. To many "styles" put together. Track 7 Flesh and Blood is a nice ballad, but sounds like a harmony experiment, but when the different solo voices comes forward it`s ok. Track 8 Don`t take me down is an "urban sound rock and roller" thats funky enough to spell out a good an effective melody. This one shines all over. Track 9 All the way from New York is a ballad, but this one doesn`t glimmers to much, but anyway a nice listen. Track 10 Fueled for Huston is the rock &roller on this CD but it doesn`t have the right "take of feel" so to say. Track 11 Goodbye carmen is an another ballad with too little spark and innsight Track 12 Alone is just bad. Nuff said.
Track 13 I hear you is a reprise of the prelude. A gasp. What`s the point. We know that they are in harmony. An average CD, With some melody gem`s that sparkle
September 13, 2006

Good by

Apart of other songs of this album: Fueled For Houston, Goodbye Carmen,Give It Up, Don't Take Me Down, for this server are very special. April 4, 2006

Much Underrated Masterpiece

Wilson Phillips were one of the few pop groups who evidently listened to the critics who accused them of being lightweight barbie dolls with nothing of relevance to say, because on this sophomore album they addressed much deeper issues than on their enjoyably lightweight, multiplatinum debut. Unfortunately, the new sound was lost on many of their young fans, and music tastes had in any case moved away from their brand of music, and the trio found themselves struggling to even reach the top twenty, where previously they had topped the charts with ease three times in twelve months. This is a shame, because "Shadows And Light" is in fact a far stronger album than its still impressive preddecessor. Vastly underrated lead single "You Won't See Me Cry" is the best thing they ever did, a soaring ballad with the strongest harmonic vocals of their career. Its maturity is reflected throughout the album, which is largely concerned with the troubled upbringing the girls experienced around their famous fathers. This is best addressed in Carnie Wilsons beautiful, consumately honest "Flesh & Blood", which addresses both her anger and her sympathy towards her estranged and fragile father. Her vocals are flat out beautiful, and the lyrics are the best she or any of the group wrote. Unfortunately, the deeply personal song did not work as a commercial single, and its failure to chart ended the girls career for the time. Chynna Phillips addresses her father on "Where Are You" and "All The Way From New York", which complement each other. The former is written about Chynna's confused, painful childhood, and her inability at the time to understand her fathers behavior. The latter is a warm song of forgiveness, written shortly after she finally regained contact with him. The album is not always so serious though. "It's Only Life" is a brilliant, boisterous song which was bizarrely never a single, despite being the most obvious hit on the record. Underrated hit "Give It Up" is reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire with its flambouyant brass sections and infectious chorus. Carnie's chocolate vocals give "This Doesn't Have To Be Love" an earthy soulfulness which should have made it a slow dance perrenial, while her lead on "Fuelled For Houston" is perfect silly fun, and a stunning vocal. Although this album is sadly out of print for the time being, I highly reccomend purchasing a second-hand copy, or otherwise getting hold of it. It takes longer to grab you than their debut, but it is ultimately their finest achievement and a sadly overlooked glimpse at three extraordinary lives. November 17, 2004

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