Search - Sam Phillips :: Indescribable Wow

One of the Most Satisfying Pieces of Music Ever

Barbara L. Brooks | A Very Cold Place | 11/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My CD collection is in the tens of thousands. Most of the music I own has its moments in the sun, and that's it. But since it's release in 1988, The Indescribable Wow has seldom been away from my turntable for long. I'm 51 years old, and seek out new music daily, which I've done since I was about 9. But rain or shine, The Indescribable Wow continues to be fun and adventurous to listen to."

It's a crime this Pop classic is out of print

FRANCIS PETTIT | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Indescribable Wow, indeed. Wow, what a great pop album. Normally I listen to hard rock and punk, but this is one beautiful pop album, complex and sophisticated, that does not insult our intelligence. Sam Phillips' songs are original and catchy, and her singing is superb: she is a bit nasally (kinda like Ronnie Spector) but has incredible range and phrasing; her voice is so pretty and never bores us. She stretches her voice and hits it on every song, and never repeats herself. If you have any appreciation for pop music at all, this CD belongs in your collection, no matter how hard it is to obtain.



There are so many good songs on this album-- a high rate of "keepers". The reason why I bought this album was because, way back in the late '80's, I heard "Holding On To The Earth" on college radio. I never forgot that song and always meant to pick up the CD, but somehow it took me years to get around to it. "Holding On To The Earth", with its exotic, psychedelic sort-of-Middle-Eastern (in a good way) vibe, is a song I could put on an infinite loop and be happy.



But I'm amazed at how many other great songs are on this CD. The final song, "Out of Time", is another must-have. "I don't know how to say goodbye to you" and "What You Don't Want to Hear" are energetic and incredibly catchy, the latter with a very fast vocal from Sam.



"Flame" is a torch song (duh) somewhat like K.D. Lang's torch style. "What Do I Do?" has a beautiful orchestral string section and a gorgeous vocal from Sam.



There are minor quibbles: "Remorse" starts out incredibly bouncy, then segues into a cool instrumental break, but the break goes on too long and the listener wishes they would finish by going back into the chorus.



Yes, this CD is OOP so you'll have to pay extra for it. Do it."

Great but i Went through 2 Discs

C. Matsuda | Seattle | 09/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD one of my favorites of all time but on an aside note i have already lost 2 copies of this disc to "CD ROT" Anyone else notice this problem? My first disc started to rot and was not playable so i had to purchase a replacement, and now i note that that one too is rotting!!! Very unusual!! Now i am looking for my third. Id like to know if anyone else has experienced this with this particular CD"