Reviews

K Phillips’ New Record Dirty Wonder

Posted by on April 17, 2017 at 10:33 am


By Brian Rock

K Phillips has had enough and he’s ready to tell about it on his new release, Dirty Wonder. An album inspired and about breakups, Dirty Wonder finds K Phillips pondering the ins and outs (but mainly outs) of modern relationships. His musical style combines Ryan Adams with the Avett Brothers to tell his stories in true Americana fashion.

“Had Enough” leads off with Philips admitting, “Yeah, I wore out my welcome and they called my bluff.” With a backbeat inspired by latter day U2, he continues to lament how he watches a rose bloom before him only to see it close. With no other option, he realizes he’s “had enough of holding on to let go.”

“Hadrian” adds beautiful steel guitar work to a surprisingly upbeat rhythm section to give a historical perspective to his breakups: “Shelley had Shelley, Napoleon had Josephine, then there’s you.”

The rest of the album contemplates breakups from different perspectives and different musical styles. From the bluesy “18 Year Old Girls” to the Lou Reed inspired “Rom Com” to the Gospel tinged “Don’t Wish Me Well” and even into Latin noir in “Hock the Horses;” Phillips mines the oft travelled seams of broken hearts, but is able to discover new golden nuggets of inspiration both lyrically and musically. For those ensnared in its grasp, love can indeed be a dirty wonder; but this album is a musical wonder of Americana synergy.

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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