Fan Dance

Instead of the playful studio experimentation that marked "Omnipop," "Fan Dance" features a sparse and elegant feel, sounding as if it was recorded after hours in an empty, smoky, noirish nightclub on a rainy October night. It's almost an acoustic album, most tracks consisting of little more than Sam on guitar or piano, backed with a little percussion or Marc Ribot's spooky psycho guitar stylings. But even so, there's still the eclectic instrumentation that marks her past albums: on "Wasting My Time" Sam is accompanied solely by Martin Tillman's cello, on "Taking Pictures" by harpsichord, and on "Soul Eclipse" by something called an "Optigan."

The spare production makes Sam's voice the star of the show, and she's never sounded better -- by turns, sad, playful, intimate, sardonic, and deeply personal, as if she's whispering in your ear. She's never overwrought or histrionic, but always subtle and understated, and more powerful because of it. Gillian Welch joins Sam on "Five Colors" and "Love is Everywhere I Go," and the meshing of their voices is gorgeous and chill-producing. It's perfect for the deft melodies and enigmatic lyrics, which are something of a dash of Leonard Cohen and John Lennon by way of e.e. cummings, yet with Sam's unique sensibility.

I had the privilege of seeing Sam in a special performance at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago a couple of years ago, in which she performed some of the songs on "Fan Dance" along with her husband/producer T-Bone Burnett, Gillian Welch, and Marc Ribot. It was perhaps the most fascinating concert I've ever seen in a lifetime of concert-going, and "Fan Dance" reminds me a lot of that performance: mesmerizing, unconventional and beautiful. Sam hasn't done a real tour since 1994, and we can only hope she'll tour for this album.

"Fan Dance" will probably not outsell N'Sync, Britney, or Mariah, but then, it doesn't need to. Sam Phillips is an artist who's not interested in moving units, but in moving hearts. With "Fan Dance," Sam will softly and silkily insinuate herself into your soul. There's only one problem: at just under 34 minutes, the album's over much too soon. After five years, Sam, we need more!

Sam is an incredible writer and performer. Fan dance showcases that. Although there are about 3 tracks that can be skipped over (the last three), the rest easily make up for it, and make the album well worth the purchase price.

It is dissapointing that the album is only shortly over 30 minutes, but when you're dealing with a true artist, it is rediculous to expect her to force a longer album out when it just isn't inside of her.

I'm not good at revewing songs on their own, but the "stunners" on the album are Edge of the World, Five Colors, Wasting My Time, How To Dream, Soul Eclipse and Love Is everywhere I Go.

Wasting My Time just melts you with a beautiful string accompaniment showcasing the cello. How To Dream is a fun song that makes you want to sing along, but not in a corny way--rather a "grown-up" kind of feeling. It's catchy and mature. Soul Eclipse includes an Asian stringed instrument and a backdrop of heavy guitar giving a mysterious feeling to the song. Sort of like you're looking over your shoulders. Edge of the World gives sort of that same feeling, too. Almost in a strange "x-files-ish" way. Five colors also grabs you in a "catchy" acoustic melody and intuitive lyrics.

This is the kind of music that makes you realize there really is true beauty and redemption in the modern music scene. This is the music of a beautiful mind. There's more behind the music and lyrics than you quite understand (at least that's how it is for me).

I really can't recommend this album enough. If you miss out on it, it truly is your loss.