Customer Reviews

Mr. Lemons

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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Glen Phillips' music is not for everyone. Fans of overproduced pop, overwrought and overemoted American Idol-style singing, over-simplified or over-exaggerated song lyrics will find nothing for them here. Glen has built a reputation among his loyal fan base for songwriting that ranges from subtle prodding of one's inner self, to spilling one's insides both beautiful and ugly for all to see. Matched perfectly with a voice that can express a full spectrum of emotion in a single phrase, that songwriting has blossomed through three solo albums, a live disc, and the Mutual Admiration Society collaboration with Nickel Creek.
On "Mr. Lemons", his latest release, Glen Phillips backs away a bit from the shiny pop production of last year's studio-backed "Winter Pays For Summer". "Lemons" is more sparse, closer to one of Glen's solo acoustic shows, and yet it's full of life and the knowledge of all that life brings, both sour and sweet. Songs that depict the ambiguity of relationships -- from the first track "Everything But You", through "I Still Love You" and "Waiting" -- reflect a far deeper understanding of love and its joy and pain than 99% of the fluff that passes for pop love songs. Glen is also not afraid to address death and sorrow, and to find hidden nuggets of hope and happiness amid the sadness and gloom. From "Last Sunset", which is so life-affirming yet acknowledges that life is finite, to the brooding "Marigolds", and culminating in the quietly masterful "A Joyful Noise", Glen shows that he's not afraid to look both death and life in the face. And he's quite willing and adept to look in the mirror and see both the good and the ugly reflected there, as in "Didn't Think You Cared".
A couple of highlights of this album don't fit easy classification: "Thank You" could be a religious hymn of praise or a song of gratitude to a parent, lover, or close friend. And "The Next Day", which speaks of broken promises and resolutions fallen by the wayside, could be taken as a personal assessment or a pointed and quite non-partisan commentary on the state of our world and our society.
Glen Phillips is one of those rare talents that never seem to be appreciated by their contemporaries. He records in relative obscurity and seems content to sell a few thousand copies of each release, play for a few hundred people at a time. It is clear throughout "Mr. Lemons", as it has been in his previous solo work, that he does this because it is what he loves. Perhaps fame and great success would change his outlook -- and Glen deserves at least the chance to find out -- but after hearing "Mr. Lemons" as well as his previous work, I think not. I look forward to hearing his voice and his words for many more years to come.
If you love good music, give Glen Phillips and "Mr. Lemons" a listen. You will not be disappointed.

Glen Phillips has done it again. His latest release Mr. Lemons is a masterpiece that deserves to be in everyone's music collection. The 11 tracks take the listener on a journey through their psyche. From the Toe-tapping "Everything But You", to the hauntingly beautiful " A Joyful Noise" Phillips never ceases to keep the listener entertained, entranced and thankful to be a part of this amazing musical journey.

Straying from the pop-rock sound that has made him one of the premier singer-songwriters today, Mr. Lemons is the latest (and arguably the best) release from the very talented Glen Phillips. It is a subtle, almost quiet album that showcases Mr Phillips' versatility and depth as a songwriter and musician. Tracks like "Marigolds", "I Didn't Think You Cared" and "Blindsight" prove that sometimes less really is more, while "The Next Day", "Everything But You", and "Waiting" thrive from the melodic brilliance that listeners have come to expect from the former Toad The Wet Sprocket frontman. On an album where heart-thumping bass lines and ear-piercing guitars have been replaced by heart-felt strings and ear-tingling vocals, the not-so-hidden gem is "Thank You". A tribal-like chant that combines simple lyrics with raw, unbridled energy, this tune exemplifies the creative range that Glen Phillips displays with every new release. Simply put, Mr. Lemons is what any intelligent music fan should expect from an equally intelligent artist; an articulate collection of songs that provokes thought, stimulates the soul, and makes you want to tell your friends about it.

This is another solid and very likeable release from Glen Phillips, and a refreshing departure from his previous album, which was much more bubbly and pop flavored. Winter Pays For Summer was a smooth, polished pop rock sound, while Lemons is more raw in places, more introspective, and yes, darker.

Tracks range from the almost spare and confessional "A Joyful Noise" to the almost unrecognizably witty cover of Huey Lewis's "I Want a New Drug", jazzed up with a new arrangement and female backing vocals.

The themes are classic Phillips- wry and honest songs about the less than shiny side of love and the darker and lighter sides of faith. Glen continues to write evocative, well crafted songs that are clever without falling into the trap of becoming overly precious.

This is an excellent album and deserves a place in your collection if you appreciate thoughtful, mature songwriting that isn't afraid to be catchy but doesn't go over the top to draw you in- this is an album that lets the music breathe and grows on you.

Having jettisoned his record company, Phillips gets back to the basics on Mr. Lemons. The songs were recorded with the focus on the vocals and the initial song ideas. Flourishes were added for effect only. The result is a beautifully engaging album that has all of the passion and wittiness that fans have come to expect.

Everything But You - This is a foot tapping love song and Phillips delivers a powerful vocal/lyrical punch singing at the climax, "You terrify me/You are everything." A great opener and first single!

Blindsight - This quiet song with Phillips singing in hushed falsetto feels a lot like Nick Drake. This is a departure from Phillips typical style, but it's a beautiful song with characteristically strong lyrics.

Thank You - This song opens with the chant, "You made this world/you made this world/you made this world/Thank you, thank you." Phillips has called it a mantra, but he has also called it a love song. Is he singing to God or to his wife? Regardless, this song is spiritually moving. The ambiguity makes it so incredible.

I Still Love You - A gorgeous song about the cleansing, saving power of love.

Last Sunset - This song is about fully embracing life with the realization that nothing lasts forever. The instrumentation and backing vocals from Kim Richey make it sound like a lullaby. Stunning!

I Want a New Drug - Phillips has taken this Huey Lewis classic and given it a bluesy, tortured spin. Incredible! When I heard he had recorded this cover I was incredulous, but he does not disappoint.

Marigolds - A sad song about the death of his father and the agony of regrets. This song has been in the repertoire for years. I am thrilled that he finally recorded a studio version.

Waiting - This country tinged song is another of my favorites from the album. The drums and mandolin move the song along nicely and Phillips' impassioned vocals are stellar.

I Didn't Think You Cared - This slow song is the only one the album that fails to capture my interest. It's classic Phillips, but for me it's not one of his stronger songs.

The Next Day - A great song about the determination for personal change back dropped against the experience of living in social/political America 2006. The upbeat, catchy music intriguingly re-enforces the difficulty of making changes when it's so easy to go with the flow.

A Joyful Noise - This song is wonderfully produced and sounds like slower Pink Floyd songs from the David Gilmour years. The lyrics are beautiful and the delivery is flawless. A masterpiece of a closer for this amazing album!

Every once in awhile, an album comes along that reminds you of what great music can accomplish. It can make you smile when you're sad, energize you when you're tired, and may even make you cry. But more than anything, great music makes you feel as well as think. It moves you. Glen Phillips' latest release, Mr. Lemons, does all of that.

In "Everything But You," Phillips sings about the vulnerability that love can bring: "You terrify me... you are, everything." In "I Still Love You" and "Waiting," he celebrates the depth and patience that lasting relationships can bring. With "I Want a New Drug" he takes the 80s Huey Lewis song and updates it in a way that's both appealing and somehow sexy (it has to be heard to be believed). "Blindsight" is so gorgeous and filled with emotion that it sucks you in, chokes you up and leaves you reeling. "Thank You" is arguably based in spirituality, but is so upbeat and catchy that it still holds mass appeal and may well be one of the best songs on the album. Like life, Mr. Lemons has a sad side as well. In "A Joyful Noise" he sings about a loved one's addiction in a voice filled with heartbreak and just a bit of hope.

Mr. Lemons is simply amazing. The songs possess a quiet sort of brilliance that gets under your skin and stays there. It's the album you put on to remember why you fell in love to begin with, but at the same time celebrates the fact that you're still in love after all these years. Like the rest of us, Phillips has grown since his days with Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Mr. Lemons is a testament to that.

"Mr. Lemon's" is a brilliantly beautiful album. As always, his lyrics and vocals are simply amazing. This is the cd that allows you to just lay back, relax and let out a big "aaahhhhhh". He has lined up an amazing song selection on this album, and as usual, he has made sure to include songs that will appeal to everyone. There are several beautiful ballads, a fun new cover of 'Huey Lewis and the News's' "I Want A New Drug", and even a couple tracks with a country feel to them. I couldn't be happier with this album. Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself as well as your family and friends who just like great music!! You won't be disappointed!!

An interesting, introspective, mellow and obviously excellent album by one of our best songwriters. The style of the songs are hard to describe, a kind of alternative folk that are given appropriate, almost perfect arrangments. This album starts with "Everything But You;" a love song that may be about a friend, a woman, or the Higher Power. Set like all these songs with guitar led lines, Phillips sings in fine voice that "everything's a crutch, everything but you." He is helped out on the album by the Neilson Hubbard, Garrrison Starr and Kim Richey among others. Other stand out songs are "Thank You," "Marigolds," "The Last Sunset," and the luminous "The Next Day" - which if this was a major label release would be a sure-fire single. Thankfully, excellence is sometimes homegrown and not renown. It can surprise you with its own integrity. Mr. Lemons - I believe a reference to a family pet and now a household studio - is both splendid and likely not be spoiled by over exposure.

This is the first album I've bought of Glen Phillips since his Toad the Wet Sprocket days. He's just as amazing now as he was 15 years ago - except, even better, he's grown up with me. His music is inpirational and touches the soul. Mr. Lemons is an all-around wonderful album you can listen to over and over again.

Winter pays for summer was wonderful...there is no doubt. It is obvious (to me), who brought Toad together. I think another TOAD album would be better than any solo project, but this album is SO enjoyable. Thank you, Joyfull noise, Anything but you...is just thoughtful song writing. I don't believe Glen will ever be able to put down his guitar and stop writing, and we should all be thankful. Thank you Glen. Your music adds emotional freedom to this world.