The Indescribable Wow

Amazon.com
Sam Phillips's first album of her post-contemporary Christian period is evocative, hooky big-beat folk-rock. With husband-to-be T-Bone Burnett contributing one of his most nuanced productions, The Indescribable Wow is full of varied settings for Phillips's love songs (the Shirelles-style Latin lilt of "Out of Time") and spiritual doubts (the raga-rockish "Holding On to the Earth"). She went on to make entertaining, artier discs, but this is her most purely enjoyable. --Rickey Wright

The Indescribable Wow,Sam Phillips,Virgin Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,College Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating:

Has its moments, but "Martinis..." is much better
It's a crime this Pop classic is out of print
Deserves Recognition
OVERPRICED JUNK!
She Can't Tell Time, But She Sure Can Make a Great CD!!

The Indescribable Wow
Sam Phillips
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Martinis & Bikinis
Cruel Inventions
A Boot and a Shoe
Omnipop (It's Only A Flesh Wound Lambchop)
Fan Dance

ASIN: B000000WGE
Release Date: 1992-06-29

Tracks:

I Don't Want To Fall In Love
I Don't Know How To Say Goodbye To You
Flame
Remorse
What Do I Do
I Can't Stop Crying
Holding On To The Earth
She Can't Tell Me
What You Don't Want To Hear
Out Of Time

Amazon.com

Sam Phillips's first album of her post-contemporary Christian period is evocative, hooky big-beat folk-rock. With husband-to-be T-Bone Burnett contributing one of his most nuanced productions, The Indescribable Wow is full of varied settings for Phillips's love songs (the Shirelles-style Latin lilt of "Out of Time") and spiritual doubts (the raga-rockish "Holding On to the Earth"). She went on to make entertaining, artier discs, but this is her most purely enjoyable. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Has its moments, but "Martinis..." is much better.......2007-03-23

I discovered Sam Phillips via "Martinis and Bikinis", a simply marvelous album. I've seen her live and she's a quirky, edgy, brilliant performer, with an odd, dry, tongue-in-cheek deadpan delivery that is her unique style.

I also liked Omnipop, the followup to Martinis and Bikinis. I picked this one up later. My general sense is that the songwriting is less strong here. It certainly has its moments, but this one has never gotten under my skin, colored my dreams, and lived in my CD platter like "Martinis..." has. I'd say "Omnipop" also exceeds this albuum.

A fine first effort, but she got much better.

Rock on,
SB

It's a crime this Pop classic is out of print.......2006-07-22

Indescribable Wow, indeed. Wow, what a great pop album. Normally I listen to hard rock and punk, but this is one beautiful pop album, complex and sophisticated, that does not insult our intelligence. Sam Phillips' songs are original and catchy, and her singing is superb: she is a bit nasally (kinda like Ronnie Spector) but has incredible range and phrasing; her voice is so pretty and never bores us. She stretches her voice and hits it on every song, and never repeats herself. If you have any appreciation for pop music at all, this CD belongs in your collection, no matter how hard it is to obtain.

There are so many good songs on this album-- a high rate of "keepers". The reason why I bought this album was because, way back in the late '80's, I heard "Holding On To The Earth" on college radio. I never forgot that song and always meant to pick up the CD, but somehow it took me years to get around to it. "Holding On To The Earth", with its exotic, psychedelic sort-of-Middle-Eastern (in a good way) vibe, is a song I could put on an infinite loop and be happy.

But I'm amazed at how many other great songs are on this CD. The final song, "Out of Time", is another must-have. "I don't know how to say goodbye to you" and "What You Don't Want to Hear" are energetic and incredibly catchy, the latter with a very fast vocal from Sam.

"Flame" is a torch song (duh) somewhat like K.D. Lang's torch style. "What Do I Do?" has a beautiful orchestral string section and a gorgeous vocal from Sam.

There are minor quibbles: "Remorse" starts out incredibly bouncy, then segues into a cool instrumental break, but the break goes on too long and the listener wishes they would finish by going back into the chorus.

Yes, this CD is OOP so you'll have to pay extra for it. Do it.

Deserves Recognition.......2006-07-02

This is a materpiece. I had the cassette and I virtually wore it out. I finally got a copy of the CD and I am continually amazed at the sheer artistry of each song. Sam Phillips is what I call a true songwriter who is an incredible recording artist. Each one of her CD's that follow show how truly remarkable she is; but this CD is absolutely amazing. "Out Of Time" is the tune that should've been a hit- although the entire CD is chock full of great songs. Some folks say her voice is an acquired taste, but I have to say lyrically and melodically she is in a league all of her own. My only complaint- it's too short. But the follow-up, "Cruel Inventions" makes a great bookend. Highly recommended!

OVERPRICED JUNK!.......2005-01-06

DON'T waste your money on this one!!! It's over $26.00 for ONLY 10 songs! Someone told me it was good, and I wasted my money. Most of the songs stink, I'm sorry to say. Take my advice, Learn from MY mistake!

She Can't Tell Time, But She Sure Can Make a Great CD!!.......2003-06-09

I really can't find the words to describe how incredibly wonderful this CD is!! It has some of the best adult pop songs ever made. She gracefully combines 60's-styled vocals and music and melts it with today's sound to create a release that 'wow'-ed critics everywhere. No one can deny the intelligent take on "I Don't Want to Fall in Love" saying that she wants to be in love and not fall in love with the 'idea' of love. I really love "Flame", which is a poetic gem about human temptation, as she says, "Flame, why do you paralyze my soul?". "What Do I Do" is one of my favorites because I absolutely love aerial background vocals and this song is a masterpiece in vocals. "Holding on to the Earth" first grabbed my attention because of its almost 'Ancient Egyptian' sounding music. Another big favorite of mine is "She Can't Tell Time" which has mysterious lyrics unless you know something about Sam's past experiences with Christian music. "What You Don't Want to Hear" is very upbeat and says, "I can't hide truth from you, in a closet of some kind, it will only sharpen its blade and it will cut you when you find it, I wish that I could lie to you baby, but I got what you don't want to hear, how do I tell you?" This was a highly praised release, but grossly undersold (as most of her music is). This was one of the best releases of the late 80's and deserves to be in everyone's music collection.