Customer Reviews

Shadows & Light

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Despite Grammy nominations for their wonderful first album, this group bombed after the release of this CD, and disbanded within four months of the album's release. It debuted at No.4 on the Billboard charts, and slid way below the Top 100 in the next few weeks. In what could be called one of pop music's greatest mysteries, 'Shadows and Light' could be called the 1990's best kept secret, though upon repeat listening it becomes evident why the album failed as badly as it did.

For people who name the album a 'flop', well it WAS a flop when you compare it to sales records of their previous album. That CD went deca-platinum, and still sells worldwide. This album on the other hand, went twice platinum, which is not a 'flop' by sales records, but it was enough to discourage the girls from ever stepping into the recording studio again (and they haven't, ever since).

'Shadows and Light' begins nicely enough with a harmonious riff, followed by the largely forgettable 'Its Only Life', perhaps the album's most unnerving track, simply because of bad production and heavy instrumentation. The second song, however, is what most people will remember this album by. 'You wont see me cry' was the first single release from this album, and it even reached the Top 10 on the US Charts. The second single release features as song three - 'Give it up', which was also the last music video that the band did together. It had a limited US single release, before stores kicked it back to the record company.

After this, 'Shadows and Light' tries to make some sort of social statement, with songs on parental relations, child abuse, and the like, which all sound pretty nice, but actually listening to them can get tiring. The problem with this CD is that it tries to sound serious in patches, and forgets to have fun. Think back to that glorious rendition of 'A Reason to Believe' on the first album. This CD has none of that soul. This becomes more evident on 'Fueled for Houston', a track very reminiscent of the Beatles 'Back in the USSR'. However, it also spells the spiralling-to-death of this CD. One track, 'Dont take me down' could have had good single potential but it gets lost toward the end of the album and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Thr turkeys of the set are reserved for the end. 'Goodbye Carmen' and 'Alone', two of the most trite lyrics the group has ever written, close the album, and, quite literally at the time, the band's career. 'Shadows and Light' is just that, with just way too much of the former. The bright spots here are few, but they shine on brightly, sounding as radiant in the 2000s as they did in the 1990's.

I would highly recommend this album to all girl-group lovers, especially if you heard them first time round. While this album is no classic and will be remembered as what finished Wilson Phillips for good, it certainly deserves a few listens.

I can't help feeling that while Wilson Phillips did make a brief blip with their two albums, their timing was bad, especially with their second album, Shadows And Light. Alternative and grunge were on the rise, as was hip-hop, and with Mariah Carey holding the larger shares in soaring love ballads, WP seemed an anomaly in this newly flowered field. For those expecting more catchy songs ready as radio fodder, such as "Hold On" and "You're In Love", the radio starved, and so did their career. Although they still sing in unison, utilizing that winning harmony sound, their individual voices come out more, but the production yielded louder brassy sounds which made the trio's harmonies more a cacophony than something sweet.

After a vocal prelude with "I Hear You," things kick into gear with "It's Only Life," a lively number with rock guitars and synths extolling the glories of an exciting life. However, the post-modernist lines about "there's no wrong, there's no right" does give one pause. Chynna is lead vocalist here.

They all sing lead vocals on "You Won't See Me Cry" a self-affirming ballad that later gets into higher gear with some string arrangements and drums. One of the better songs here.

The up-tempo "Give It Up" was a single. I like it, sure, from the brassy synth opening, the catchy drums and horns, and Wendy's Susanna Hoffs-ish voice, but sadly, market tastes had changed and this didn't do as well as their other singles.

Carnie sings on "This Doesn't Have To Be Love," and given her voice, she seems best suited to singing lead on ballads such as this. While Carnie sings, Wendy and Chyna do accompanying speeches reflecting her thoughts. Example: "Softly, love is standing here with demands" W and C chime in with "Tell me what you want from me" Why couldn't this have been a single?

"Where Are You" is another ballad, this time by Chynna, but tackles some abuse suffered when one was six. However, she merely asks of the perpetrator, "Where are you... who hurt you? and where are you now?"

Both Wilsons sing lead on "Flesh and Blood" on a familial conflict, trying to reach their father through his pain. I wonder if this was written in mind with the troubles Brian Wilson had during his check-in to the clinic, the death of Dennis Wilson, and legal troubles with Mike Love over the Beach Boys.

Wendy Wilson sings "Don't Take Me Down," which has shades of "Impulsive" and some Belinda Carlisle songs. Chynna sings the string-laden "All The Way From New York" denoting the separation between LA and NY and the reunion between two people.

The heavily produced piano ballad "Alone" sung lead by Wendy, is about a misunderstood woman who doesn't want to be alone but doesn't want to leave her home. Poses quite a problem doesn't it? The reprise for "I Hear You" is just a choral exercise that demonstrates their well-done harmonies.

The trio hooked with Glen Ballard once again, and his production, keyboards, and arrangements work to some extent, but the jarring high-volume of louder songs like "Fueled For Houston" or "It's Only Life" and the trio's harmonies correspond to that sound, resulting in something loud and brassy instead of soft and melodic.

One wonders what a third album would've been like, but alas, that never happened, as the Wilsons and Chynna Phillips did their own thing in years to come.

Why this album was so overlooked is still a mystery 9 years later, but still a ear album to me. From the funky upbeat numbers It's Only Life with its sassy horn section & Fueled For Houston, a Texas style catchy pop song which combines Chynna's forceful backing vocals and Carnie's chocolate lead to the mature, reflective & accessible You Won't See Me Cry (with a totally gorgeous video & saxophone), All The Way from New York & Flesh & Blood which are both about the girls' ailing relations with their fathers, to the album's beautiful Goodbye Carmen, it delivers by the powerful lyrics, amazing harmonies & excellent meoldies. Consistent, beautiful & chillingly gorgeous - worhty of any self-respecting record collection

On their second and final album, the ladies from Wilson Phillips move beyond the pop perfection of their debut and embrace a much more personal style of songwriting. Although I consider this album to be on a par in terms of quality to the first one, this album was badly panned and considered the flop that preceded their breakup.

The album has a great intro that really highlights the girls voices before jumping right into some of the best songs on the album, which include the fast paced "It's Only Life", the melancholy "You Won't See Me Cry", and "Give It Up". Other strong tracks are the softer ballads such as "Goodbye Carmen", and "This Doesn't Have To Be Love". The album closes the same way it opens with "I Hear You". . . kind of. There is an additional cover of Elton John's "Daniel" right after the album 'officially' ends (unlisted on the cover) which is also very well done. Lyrically mature and sophisticated, "Shadows and Light" is an extremely underrated album by three terrifically talented young women. If given a few spins fans of their debut will find lots here to reward them.

I first bought this CD when I was 8 because I loved their debut. I searched all around and I finally found it. When I got home and listened to it I hated it. It was at a time when if it wasn't fast and bouncy I didn't like it. Then 5 years later I thought you, know I would like it. So I went and I bought another one (I had sold my first copy) and I knew it was a gamble. I bought it and eagerly listened to it and I was blown away!!!! I couldn't believe I ever disliked this! Here's a rundown of the songs.

1) I Hear You (prelude)-The harmony here kills me though I like the reprise because it's longer. 3.5/5

2) It's Only Life-I like how the song changes the tempo and that harmony part is amazing. 4/5

3) You Won't See Me Cry-If you like Release Me You'll Like This, I love the sax. 4/5

4) Give It Up-This is a fun bouncy song :) 4.5/5

5) This Doesn't Have To Be Love-Simply beautiful. 4/5

6) Where Are You-Meaningful song all over but sometimes listening to it will give me some chills but it is good. 3/5

7) Flesh and Blood-Good meaningful song that I never chills to, so beautiful. 4.5/5

8) Don't Take Me Down-My fave, I really love it. 5/5

9) All The Way From New York-Another one with a lot of meaning, the better song of Chynna's troubles. 4.5/5

10) Fueled For Houston-Very fun song. 4/5

11) Goodbye Carmen-Good but it get's bogged down bye the long repeat of good bye 3.5/5

12) Alone-Again, good but gets bogged down by repeats 3.5/5

13) I Haer You (reprise)-Beautiful harmony, I just love it 4/5

So, yes this a worthy album, you should check it out.

When I first heard about Wilson Phillips on VH1, I thought they were an interesting group of singers, even though I was only 10. At 12, I finally bought their debut, which was so amazing! Then later on, I saw them on vh1 again and found out about their 2nd album, "Shadows and Light". From then on I looked everywhere for it. But I finally found it and bought it, and I'll tell you people 1 thing, I was so shocked about SAL being a failure! Why? All the songs are just so beautiful and meaningful, unlike the trashy crap like britney spears and nsync we here today. Don't think so? Let's go through the songs:

1.I Hear You (Prelude)- nice, but i think the reprise is better.

2.It's Only Life- the first of 3 upbeat songs. this song is really great! the horns just make it so..... energetic.

3.You Won't See Me Cry- Here's the WP we all know and love. 3-part harmonies the whole way through. Reminds me of Release Me.

4.Give It Up- the 2nd upbeat song. more dynamic than IOL. But still it's great.

5.This Doesn't Have To Be Love- a beautiful song with gentle beats and soothing, yet sad lyrics.

6.Where Are You- This song is a very beautiful song. The lyrics just strike you like an arrow. The vocals are really good too.

7.Flesh and Blood- OMG, this song is so emotional. I was almost in tears when I first heard it. The music is beautiful, and the lyrics are so emotional. I mean, how can u be my age(14), and understand songs like this sooo well?

8.Don't Take Me Down- a midtempo song that sounds kinda like Impulsive, from the 1st album.

9.All The Way From New York- written and performed by Chynna, lead vocalist. very touching. the lyrics are just so moving.

10.Fueled For Houston- a song that gives the album kind off a country/rock edge to the album. the 3rd and last uptempo song. very good and fun.

11.Goodbye Carmen- a very moving and emotional song about a woman the girls met on their tour. the music and the lyrics just flow so well together.

12.Alone- very nice. written by wendy wilson and perfromed by her. she does really well on this song.

13.I Hear You (Reprise)- a little longer than the prelude, and better. really shows the harmonizing skills.

What I'm really saying is, Buy this cd! it is a very good cd to add to your collection.

When I bought this album in 1992, I thought, without a doubt, that it was going to be a HUGE success, which, I was wrong. To this day, I'm still puzzled why this album didn't get the fame it should have received, even though it spawned three hit singles (You Won't See Me Cry, Give It Up, Flesh & Blood). I continue to listen to Wilson Phillip's music because it's a unique sound that is not only stapled in pop music but will, most likely, never be heard again. This CD is very worth the purchase. Each song is worth more than what was credited. This album did go platinum back in '92, so it's not a failure but compared to their self titled debut, it could have gone much farther than what it did.

Wilson Phillips were one of the few pop groups who evidently listened to the critics who accused them of being lightweight barbie dolls with nothing of relevance to say, because on this sophomore album they addressed much deeper issues than on their enjoyably lightweight, multiplatinum debut. Unfortunately, the new sound was lost on many of their young fans, and music tastes had in any case moved away from their brand of music, and the trio found themselves struggling to even reach the top twenty, where previously they had topped the charts with ease three times in twelve months. This is a shame, because "Shadows And Light" is in fact a far stronger album than its still impressive preddecessor. Vastly underrated lead single "You Won't See Me Cry" is the best thing they ever did, a soaring ballad with the strongest harmonic vocals of their career. Its maturity is reflected throughout the album, which is largely concerned with the troubled upbringing the girls experienced around their famous fathers. This is best addressed in Carnie Wilsons beautiful, consumately honest "Flesh & Blood", which addresses both her anger and her sympathy towards her estranged and fragile father. Her vocals are flat out beautiful, and the lyrics are the best she or any of the group wrote. Unfortunately, the deeply personal song did not work as a commercial single, and its failure to chart ended the girls career for the time. Chynna Phillips addresses her father on "Where Are You" and "All The Way From New York", which complement each other. The former is written about Chynna's confused, painful childhood, and her inability at the time to understand her fathers behavior. The latter is a warm song of forgiveness, written shortly after she finally regained contact with him. The album is not always so serious though. "It's Only Life" is a brilliant, boisterous song which was bizarrely never a single, despite being the most obvious hit on the record. Underrated hit "Give It Up" is reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire with its flambouyant brass sections and infectious chorus. Carnie's chocolate vocals give "This Doesn't Have To Be Love" an earthy soulfulness which should have made it a slow dance perrenial, while her lead on "Fuelled For Houston" is perfect silly fun, and a stunning vocal. Although this album is sadly out of print for the time being, I highly reccomend purchasing a second-hand copy, or otherwise getting hold of it. It takes longer to grab you than their debut, but it is ultimately their finest achievement and a sadly overlooked glimpse at three extraordinary lives.

I think this is Wilson's Phillips best album. I don't think it's over-produced, I absolutely love it. It starts off perfectly with the great power pop song "It's Only Life." The vocal arrangements showcase their incredible harmonizing and it's just a really upbeat way to begin a much more adult themed and layered record.

It's also a much more personal album for them. "Alone" is one of my favorite tracks written by Wendy and it is about Wendy! The mood is very melancholy as she describes her insecurities and how the outside world may view her. She uses her earthy soft voice to her full advantage. I really enjoy the way Wendy writes her lyrics. They are moving, dark and poetic.

"Where are you" is another stand out track for me. Chynna fronts this very moving tale about a child's haunting memories of her father and the abuse endured at his hands.

"He led me into his room, and had me lay down My heart, and my soul, and anything else that you could own, when you're six years old."

No words to express it but she nails it. Her voice never sounded better.


Carnie's vocals on "This Doesn't Have to Be Love" and `Fueled for Houston" are also gems. She has this softness to her voice just like her sister but at the same time complete opposite because it's more deep and baritone.

And then there is "Flesh and Blood" a very personal and touching song that has Carnie and Wendy Wilson reaching out to their distant and strained father, Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson. Thankfully Brian Wilson eventually recovered and reunited with his daughters but it's still such a lovely and moving song that anybody could relate to.

Shadows and Light did achieve some success as "You Won't See Me Cry" and "Give it Up" both made Billboard Hot 100! The album itself peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.

I really loved seeing each girl take on a more active role in writing lyrics for Shadows and Light. It really boasts their individual talents and when they come together as Wilson Phillips it's magic. I say if you would like to listen to a really soulful heartfelt album you should buy it and listen for yourself!

Although the tracks on this album are good,it didn't spawn as many hits as Wilson Phillips' 1990 self-titled debut. The first album was at least,nominated for Grammys. The only Top 10 hit from this album is YOU WON'T SEE ME CRY.