鈥淭here Is So Much Here,鈥� Glen Phillips (Compass Records)
The son of a physicist, Glen Phillips has always been a cerebral singer-songwriter, and his new solo album is a thoughtful, tuneful collection of contemplations on life鈥檚 simple charms.
鈥淭here Is So Much Here鈥� considers the pleasure derived from a glass of water, the value of being OK with being just OK, and the elusive sweet spot between the past and future. 鈥淔ind the beauty in the things you see,鈥� Phillips sings on 鈥淐all the Moondust,鈥� a spiritual of sorts that says life is accompanied by the song of God.
The frontman for Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips shares his musings via piano ballads and bouncy, retro guitar pop. Highlights include 鈥淚 Was a Riot,鈥� built on a hummable bass line, and 鈥淏ig Changes,鈥� notable for a roller-coaster melody before Phillips extolls the value of taking a break, which playfully cues a wordless interlude. He鈥檚 in fine voice throughout, and 鈥淭he Bluest Eye鈥� evokes the dramatic sonorities of Rufus Wainwright as the arrangement slowly blossoms.
While the album鈥檚 title sounds like a celebration, Phillips acknowledges how elusive contentment can be. 鈥淎 new day is here,鈥� he sings, somehow sounding wary. Smart guy.
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Steven Wine, The Associated Press
