Phillip Phillips “The World from the Side of the Moon” is Available Everywhere

By On 11/19/2012 · 81 Comments · In American Idol, Phillip Phillips

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I was really tough on Phillip Phillips during the American Idol competition. Between his pitchy singing and his tendency to suck all of the melody out of a song when he re-arranged it, I could not imagine I would be a fan of his post-Idol music.

But guess what. Mea Culpa people. I have turned into a bonified Philatic.

I KNOW!!!!

My journey to Phil Phandom (sorry!) began on the night of the American Idol final. I held my breath as Phillip began to sing his coronation song, a little afraid to hear what dreck the Idol machine had saddled him with. But wouldn’t you know–”Home” not only DID NOT SUCK, it was really really REALLY GOOD. And the song only grew on me more as it became the anthem of the Olymmpics Fierce Five Womens’ gymnastics team, part of a Clint Eastwood movie promo, the back drop for an insurance commercial and MORE. In it’s own way, “Home” was the song of the summer.

Still, I figured Phil just struck it lucky with a good song–one that he did not write. Would I like an album of songs he co-wrote? After hearing an advance copy of the album last week I can answer that question with a resounding YES.

I have to admit that my favorite song is one of the two songs besides “Home” that Phillip didn’t have a hand in writing. “Gone, Gone, Gone”–penned by Derek Fuhrmann, Todd Clark, and Phillip’s album producer, Gregg Wattenberg–is every bit as anthemic as “Home” and could break on the radio just as big if it becomes the next single (IT SHOULD).

But, somewhere along the way, Phillip learned how to write a melody! Or maybe the arrangements he was creating during the Idol competition weren’t as good as they could be. Phillip was suffering from a debilitating kidney condition all through the contest. Or, his co-writers made up for Phil’s melody deficit the missing holes. But what would account for two songs written solely by Phillip? “Hold On”, a sweeping, lovely tune, or the haunting opening track, “Man on the Moon”, a song that’s stayed with me since I heard it. Phillip can write a melody.

Other stand out tunes, for me, include the sweet-folky “Can’t Go Wrong” a co-write with “Home” writers, Greg Holden and Drew Pearson. The moving and romantic “Tell Me a Story” has strings, mandolin and an epic choir in the back drop. “You are the sun that leads me, You are the moon that pulls me, you are the life leads me…”

For those of you who did Phil’s funk side, there is “Where we Came From” and “Drive Me”.

My only real criticism of the record is that the sound of the album bounces back and forth between Dave Matthews jazz rock and the folk-Americana of Mumford and Sons. Phillip is still finding a voice that is quintessentially his own, but “The World From the Side of the Moon” is a solid start to getting there.

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  • girlygirltoo

    well it’s not any of the others’ fault that they are so-called WGWG either. All of them are talented, and all of them are different from each other. It’s way too lazy to continue to lump them in with each other :)

  • springboard2

    well it’s not any of the others’ fault that they are so-called WGWG
    either. All of them are talented, and all of them are different from
    each other. It’s way too lazy to continue to lump them in with each
    other :)

    I totally agree with not lumping people together under a meaningless label like WGWG, whether it is their style, their level of talent or whether they are or should be embraced by any media outlet.

  • tigervixxxen

    Target has all the songs. This is how it shakes out: Regular tracks 1-12. All deluxe versions adds tracks 13-15. Then Target adds tracks 16-17 on top of that. So if you get the Target version you get all the songs. Walmart’s exclusive is a 64 page magazine or some such with the regular deluxe. I love Take Me Away so I bought the Target version.

  • http://twitter.com/aizjanika aizjanika

     I agree with this as well. I wasn’t meaning to imply that all the others should be dismissed as WGWG either. I was an Adam supporter in his season, but I bought both his album and Kris’s and I liked Kris’s more. I was a Crystal supporter in her season, but I bought Lee’s album also, and liked it quite a bit. This season I just happened to like Phillip more than most of the others, though I was a big Heejun fan early on. I like to take each person as they come, as much as possible, although genre of music performed can affect how much I support someone while on the show.

  • http://twitter.com/aizjanika aizjanika

     Thank you! I wish I’d remembered to cancel the Amazon version, but once it was here, I had to open it and take a listen. :)  I could have done that and bought the cheaper digital version, too, though. I guess I’ll buy the Target version also, just for the two extra songs.  Thanks for the info.

  • http://twitter.com/LouiseKelleher1 Louise Kelleher

    He did much of the work before and during Idol.  Realize he was 19 – 20 !

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