Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

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Phillip Phillips album appeals to more than one genre

Samantha Schwanke/Winonan

American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips is coming to Winona State University on April 12.

I, like many, had only heard Phillips’ radio and commercial hits “Home” and “Gone, Gone, Gone”.

From just those two songs, though, I knew I was going to like Phillips.  His music is like the acoustic-pop version of

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Mumford and Sons’ “Sigh No More” with unique instrumentation, like strings and heavy tambourine, and a rough tenor voice.

I decided to listen to Phillips’ entire album “The World From the Side of the World”.

The album is an interesting combination of country, pop and even touches of jazz.  This can be seen just in the song “Drive Me” with its deep bass line, cymbal taps, electric guitar and brass licks. It’s combined though with acoustic guitar and his typical folk voice, making the song fit in with the rest of the album’s country nod.

At times the album reminds me of Sugar Ray and Third Blind Eye, like in  “So Easy”, with the acoustic guitar and drumstick accompaniment and the fact that it’s in a major key, and has upbeat rhythms and lyrics. There is a constant theme of holding on to dreams, the highs and lows of love, and the new fame life in general, which is an uplifting message right before spring midterms.

“Man on the Moon” is a good beginning to the album because it sets up, musically, the intent of the album. He has a pop feel, but it ends with a saxophone solo indicating that his music is a mix of aesthetics.

Personally, my favorite songs are “A Fool’s Dance” and “Wicked Game” because of their ballad feel. Being a “Mumford and Sons” fan, I enjoy and appreciate music like these songs that have more thought-out lyrics.

A junior Jeannie Kortas is looking forward to the concert.

“I’m really excited! I’m like nervous excited,” she laughed, being a huge Phillips fan.

Kortas’ favorite song is “Gone, Gone, Gone” because, “I like the sound and lyrics.”  Also, “Home” because its feel-good lyrics, “It’s my comfort song.”

Kortas was beside herself with joy at the thought of the concert, “Everyone that goes will have a good time, and I will be in the front row!”

Overall, I think Phillips album can be summed up with the lyric from his song “Tell Me a Story”,  “Live with what you have and make the best of what’s to come” because of his message of growing through the circumstances of life.

The album is a bit repetitive in sound and themes, but I think if Phillips develops into more of a folk or country singer and less pop, he will become more successful and his songs will develop more; his voice is just made more for that genre.

I am definitely looking forward to this concert, filled with a variety of music and an overall feel-good evening for everyone to enjoy.

Contact Samantha at [email protected]

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