Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.90 You Save: $13.08 (69%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.74 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Don't Do Anything
Free Music Review: Sam makes art, not just music. (listen btwn the words)
Hit: 4 Stars
Sam Phillips
`Don't Do Anything'
Nonesuch Records
If there were artistic justice in this world, Sam Phillips would be a hallowed name followed with much fanfare. But that is not her way, she tends to slip in through the cracks and to peek from behind the corners. Her music reflects this tendency.
New fans recognize her as the lady that provided the great melodies for Gilmore Girls, while die hard fans go back thirty years ago with her to her days as a Contemporary Christian singer.
Sam Phillips (formerly Leslie Phillips) left what was becoming the Christian Music scene in 1986 when it was clear that what had started as some Christian artists collecting together now was turning into an industry.
Don't Do Anything (Nonesuch, 2008) is a bit of a throw back to her 90's period of some fuzzy "soda pop" sounds mixed with her neo-nostalgia that she has hone in on with the past two records. She blends it all perfectly. It could easily be a soundtrack for an 1800's western saloon of the future.
She opens the album with a track that is reminiscent of her ultra mod 1995 record Omnipop. It is fuzzy and unapologetically wonderful. She kicks off addressing the lingering questions surrounding her divorce from T-Bone Burnett. "No Explanations", track #1.
The entire album is orchestrated properly, sparse where needed. Sam is very purposeful, but not blunt. She intricately weaves hinted at visions beyond grasp with a first listen. There is her constant human positioning and an earth consciousness, in the hands of our maker who loves us best when we "Don't Do Anything."
On her myspace for months Sam has made it clear that the title of the record is not to reflect what she intends us to do in the current political state of the world.
Ms. Phillips last record "A Boot and A Shoe" (Nonesuch 2004) took me about two years of solid listening to when I finally declared one day "I got it! All of these songs are about things that are kinda the same only not!"
Sam makes art, not just music.
On the cover of "Don't Do Anything" she is fully clothed in a bathtub of water. She is taking care of basics without the seemingly unessential steps.
This is a record to keep on in the background and songs will grow their own stories around you, and it will soon demand more than just background. Sam Phillips makes records to be fully listened to, not just single track downloads.
Don't try hard to get her, just get her. Don't do anything, except buy the record.
Free Music Review: Thank God Sam isn't Coldplay
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm embarrassed for Sam fans everywhere in reading other reviews here, specifically Stevens saying that the latest 3 Doors Down or Coldplay album is more interesting than Sam's. How she could be uttered in the same breath as those bands is funny to me - the depths and heights she's reached musically and lyrically are beyond anything those bands have ever recorded. I like Coldplay alright and have seen them in concert in their early years (3 Doors Down... now THEY'RE boring!), but they've gone WAY downhill since then and are nothing more than one of hundreds of good bands with some good songs and unique lead vocals.
Sam, on the other hand, has been distinctive since day one. I've listened to her since 1990 and have never heard anyone to closely compare with her. I think "A Boot and a Shoe" is one of her all time best albums, so rich, lush and full - way better than "Fan Dance". This new album is not as good as the last, I agree, but it's better with each listen and is so much more than the best albums of most ("Flowers Up" just haunts me). I think "Martinis and Bikinis" is probably her other best album (after the brilliant "The Turning"), but each album she makes hold soul-searching gems that add great value to the musical world. "Gilmore Girls" hasn't ruined Sam - she's matured and evolved and though each album isn't always as big a musical leap as others ("Omnipop" was a creative leap but only half of it really worked), but each recording she makes holds layered treasures that rise to the surface the more you listen.
Because bands like Coldplay have millions of fans and Sam has "only 20", does NOT in any way mean they are better. With that logic, Brittany Spears and Nickelback and such acts are amazing musicians!?? It's ridiculous logic. The mainstream is RARELY the best stuff. There are a few who rise above in the mainstream sea of mediocrity (which the above bands DEFINITELY fall into!) and still sell a lot of albums. For example, everyone loves Johnny Cash for a reason - because he's one of the icons and a true music genius, the likes of which we will never see again. But Sam, on a smaller scale, is unlike any we have out there or will see again. I thankfully choose to let the mainstream entertain me on occasion but I prefer to dig deeper for the REAL stuff.
Free Music Review: Great collection of songs
Hit: 4 Stars
This is Sam Phillips raw, uncooked - at her most vulnerable. It is also sexy, sensual, and at times, she rocks harder than she ever has before. Take My Career in Chemistry - an explosion of joy, desire and mystery. I challenge anyone to listen to this song and not play air guitar or air drums, losing yourself in a fit of sheer ecstasy. The lyrics are sparse but this works well with the theme. The familiar chords of e minor, a minor and d minor appear but the melodies make everything new. This is a remarkable collection of songs that you'll revisit again and again.Free Music Review: Great Job!
Hit: 4 Stars
The highly anticipated new release is received with much enthusiasm! A few of the songs are definitely mellow, but there's still quite a bit of variety throughout the album. I especially love "Sister Rosetta" and "My Career in Chemistry". And the rest is growing on me! I think she did a great job - a good production. And it doesn't sound just like the last two - I think it's quite different - except maybe the song "Don't Do Anything".
Great Job, Sam! I remain a huge fan and look forward to your next endeavor.
Free Music Review: Pleasantly surprised!
Hit: 4 Stars
I bought this CD on a whim, based on reviews from magazines I admire and the fact that she once was married to T Bone Burnett, and I like his production efforts. It is more than I thought it would be. She has a great voice, with great lyrics. Most important, the CD is not overproduced. One of the best CDs I have purchased in awhile.