Disco de Wilson Phillips: “Wilson Phillips”

I know that I'm writing this in 2004, but since you've featured this on Amazon, I wanted to talk about this classic. Wilson Phillips made a very good pop album in 1990! I played it over and over for some 6 to 7 months during '90-'91! I was so happy that "You're In Love" went to No. 1, because I played that over and over, far more than Hold On or Release Me! It deserved to win Grammys, but it got shut out of its nominations at the awards in '91. The breezy pop, the smooth landscapes and its balance of pop and rock from previous decades are what make it great. With their new album California, just released this week, this just makes everything come full circle for them and makes this first album more respected now. I remembered that their debut album got bashed by critics, but where are those critics now? They need to shut up and listen to this album again and accept the fact that they're back and still performing now! This is a classic many, many times over and it's so beautifully done!!!!! Loved those harmonies of theirs!

Wilson Phillips were succesful, but critically undervalued in the early 90's. Written off as an example of pop nepotism, their brief career was blighted by critical sneering. However, while this record may not be particularly inventive or challenging, it stands the test of time as a classic piece of well written, and extremely well sung pop music. Hold On is the best known hit, a chart-topping smash, it boasts a ridiculously infectious bridge/chorus and the astoundingly close harmonies that became their trademark. Pretty Chynna Phillips takes lead on this and several other album cuts, but it was Carnie Wilson who stood out as the greatest talent of the group, her rich, warm vocals adding real conviction and gravitas to some of the albums best cuts "Next To You" and "Eyes Like Twins". Wendy Wilson's Susannah Hoffs-ish voice was better suited to the lightweight numbers, and the sweet, light pop of "Ooh You're Gold" and "Impulsive" served her well. The real standouts though, are the songs which the group sing together, showcasing those phenomenal harmonies. "You're In Love" is a beautiful and genuinely moving ode to a lover and a friend who has moved on with his life, while "A Reason To Believe", famously recorded by Rod Stewart, is powerful and genuine. 2 week US chart-topper "Release Me" features the strongest vocals on the album, a perfect, slightly folk sounding pop song. The girls would delve into deeper waters on their underrated followup, "Shadows And Light", but this album remains a perfect memento of a time when pure pop was not a dirty word, and a truly talented trio of singers could find real success without resorting to desperate publicity seeking measures. An album to treasure.

Even though it seems almost cheesy, I have to admit how fantastic this album is. Their voices and harmonies are sublime.

Wilson Phillips self-titled debut is pure pop perfection. Produced by Alanis Morrisette's producer, Glenn Ballard, this album hits a homerun with five hit singles that took over the radio airwaves in the early '90s. "Hold On", "Release Me", "Impulsive", "Your In Love", and "The Dream Is Still Alive", still stand out, along with my favorite, the should-have- been-a-U.S.single, "Eyes Like Twins". I was thrilled to hear that after a decade apart, these lovely ladies are in the best shape of their lives and recording together again. The dream IS still alive!

First off, I would like to say that I am still in my midteens, therefore have been listening to this group since I was about 5 or 6. Now, I would like to expand on that. At the young age of 6 I enjoyed this music with my 28 year old parents and, now, at the age of 15, I still enjoy this music along with my now 36 year old parents. That says something about the artist. There aren't many out there that can say they hold their audiences for that long, nor can they say they attract such a large age group. Only the greatest (Elvis, for example, or the Beach Boys) can say that. Well, Wilson Phillips should be ranked right up there. This is an unforgetable album. The beats and meanings... the feeling behind each song is unreal. Such talent only comes around so often and such an artist should never be forgotten. I'm sure that whoever buys this album will thoroughly enjoy it.