Cruel Inventions

Sam Phillips | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1992)
• Original Release Date: May 28, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WHT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,794 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical, smooth and plaintive voice, adding up to a great CD, June 4, 2000

By 

Tung Yin (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cruel Inventions (Audio CD)

Sam Phillips is probably best known for three things: (1) she used to put out Christian music under her given name, Leslie Phillips; (2) she's married to rock producer T-Bone Burnett; and (3) she played the icily mute assassin and girlfriend to Jeremy Irons in "Die Hard 3." All of which is fine, except that it overshadows her fabulous work as a contemporary singer and songwriter.

Under her nickname "Sam," she's released a number of CDs, starting with 1989's "The Indescribable Wow," 1992's "Cruel Inventions," 1995's "Martinis and Bikinis," and others.

Her CDs show a definite progression, starting with the soft crooning sounds of "Indescribable" to the more subtle and plaintive songs of "Inventions," to a more Beatles like sound of "Martinis and Bikinis." Depending on what you're looking for, then, "Cruel Inventions" may not be to your liking.

What "Cruel Inventions" offers is a collection of dreamy meditations accompanied by incredibly catchy musical arrangements. Phillip's voice is pure and heartfelt, almost like a less scratchy version of Kim Carnes.

Best of all, the quality of songs is pretty even throughout; if you like any of the songs on the CD, you're likely to like most or all of them.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sam is one of the Music Industry's best-kept secrets., November 10, 1999

By 

"sweethev" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruel Inventions (Audio CD)

"Cruel Inventions" is not only Sam's best album, but one of the best in the industry. With her intelligent lyrics, articulate musical styles, and a darkened dreamlike mood, she is a role-model for many female artist who don't want the "girlie" stereotype. I have loved this album for years and continue to do so. Songs like "Tripping Over Gravity" and "Lying" are musical gems, and the entire album sparkles with creativity.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Sam's best, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cruel Inventions (Audio CD)

Contrary to the thoughts of some, Sam Phillips has NOT abandoned her faith when she chose to leave the Contemporary Christian music field. She simply grew tired of the smug and confining nature of the genre that refused to allow her to grow as an artist. Like her husband and producer T Bone Burnett and their good friend Bruce Cockbrun, Sam's faith is still very much in evidence in many of her songs. She merely does not hit the listener over the head with it has is usually in the nature of the Contemporary Christian genre.

With "Cruel Inventions," Sam has created one of the best albums of either phase of her career. The melodies are catchy and unforgettable, the lyrics thought provoking and relevant. Others may wish to keep Sam in a box, refusing to let her grow, but many of her fans welcome her artistic muse.