Soft Bomb

The Chills | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1992)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Slash / Ada
• ASIN: B000005JB9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,120 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Martin Phillipps' development as a songwriter continues unabated on 1992's SOFT BOMB. The album's crisp production values, variety of styles, and glorious, melancholy songs recall its predecessor, 1990's SUBMARINE BELLS. Sadly, like that record, SOFT BOMB fared poorly in the sales department. The commercial failure of these fine discs sent Phillipps into a lengthy retreat. When he resurfaced in 1996, he seemed to accept his status as uncompromising outsider who would never reach the mainstream. It's a shame, because Phillipps is a songwriter of the highest caliber. SOFT BOMB contains some of the Chills' very best songs, including "Male Monster From The Id," the exquisitely tender "Halo Fading," and "Water Wolves," the latter benefiting from Van Dyke Parks' haunting orchestration. Perhaps the most telling piece is the starkly beautiful "Song For Randy Newman, Etc." In the line "men like Wilson, Barrett, Walker, Drake," Phillipps eloquently conjures the struggle of several '60s rock casualties, artists for whom he clearly feels an affinity. After the release of SOFT BOMB, Phillipps emulated several of the above by dropping out of sight. Happily, 1996's SUNBURNT proves that he has not only managed to stay sane but also keeps writing songs. Personnel: Martin Phillipps (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Peter Holsapple (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, dobro, violin, keyboards); Gayle Levant (harp); Barbara Porter, Debra Price, Syd Page, Joel Derouin, Israel Baker, Dimitrie Leivici, Berj Garabedian (violin); Hershel Wise, Rick Gerding, Maria Newman (viola); Larry Corbett (cello); Lisa Mednick (accordion, keyboards, background vocals); Terry Moore (keyboards, bass guitar, background vocals); Gavin MacKillop (keyboards, background vocals); Mauro Ruby (drums, percussion); Steve Schayer (background vocals). Recording information: Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (1991-1992); Master Control Studios, Burbank, CA (1991-1992).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely beautiful, June 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Soft Bomb (Audio CD)

I only used to know The Chills from a radio hit from long time ago, and picked this cd up for a good price while on a holiday in thailand, but i keep coming back to it again and again..its just.. the melody...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The gift that still keeps on giving, October 3, 2000

By 

Withnail "smokehat" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soft Bomb (Audio CD)

I got it when it came out 8 years ago and I'm listening to it right now. Martin Phillips is one of the great voices. Some may say that there is excess on this cd but so what (you could always program out the ones you don't like). The songs still rock: Background Affair, Soft Bomb, Double Summer....check out "Song for Randy Newman, etc." "men like Wilson, Barrett, Walker, Drake." A classic.

5.0 out of 5 stars This was my introduction to the Chills, May 21, 2006

By 

Julian R. Garrett (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soft Bomb (Audio CD)

I still remember when my one of my friends slapped this on one day after he'd been living in Dunedin for a month or so. I took it back to my mates in Christchurch and it was foreverafter a favorite. There's some cheesiness, but it's some of the coolest ever NZ music, I'm onto my 4th copy of this now after friends pinching it off me.