Phillip Phillips – Behind the Light (19 Recordings/Interscope Records)
When singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips, winner of Season 11 of American Idol, wound up with a hit album, it almost seemed by accident. “Home,” the single released in 2012, racked up platinum sales. It sounded so much like a Mumford & Sons song, you had to wonder if fans even knew it was Phillips singing. His follow-up album sticks with the tried-and-true. Album opener “Searchlight” features a predictable pattern of vocals that alternate from whispers to screams. “Raging Fire,” the album’s first single, doesn’t deviate from formula either as Phillips croons, “Come out, come out, come out/won’t you turn my soul into a raging fire.” The clichéd lyrics make reference to losing control and don’t make Phillips come off as a particularly sharp lyricist. “Fly” sounds a bit edgier but doesn’t redeem the album or suggest Phillips will emerge as more than a one-hit wonder.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2014.
How can he possibly be a one hit wonder when his second single also when platinum as well as his first album? Behind The Light knocked Michael Jackson out of the #1 spot in pop. Raging Fire from this album is also a hit. I don’t mind criticism, it’s lies I can’t abide. You sir have no ethics!
Sir, Did you EVEN listen to the Album or the one before? cause He has already surpassed the “One Hit Wonder” lmao… Three of his songs on the LAST album was in the top Ten and know the Behind the light like Ellen said knocked out the Magical Michael Jackson out of the spot light…. The song Raging Fire is already a Hit …. So lets call it what is really is cause you do have a right to voice your opinion but facts are facts so lets be truthful with that ok? You have alot of Philatics who are NOT really happy with the lies you just printed.
Please take a little more time in getting your facts straight! If you want to review that’s great but do your job well. Phillip is an amazing talent! Well liked and respected by his peers. And especially well loved by his fans! It’s ok if your not into his music but at least do a little background work on the artist’s stats!
You really should get your facts straight. There is no “emerging” to be done here. He has already surpassed one-hit wonder status.
Home, Gone,Gone, Gone and Raging Fire – all big hits. His first cd went platinum. Just how do you get a one hit wonder from those facts? And Phillip being cliche and his songs being formulaic? If you listened to either of his albums, you would encounter a variety of styles and moods with lyrics that speak to the complexity of life and love.
This review was very harsh and obviously written by someone who doesn’t like Phillip, but by one hit wonder, he’s talking about the first album as a whole and so far that’s all he’s done.
So far the numbers aren’t very impressive, it looks like he’ll do about 30% of what the first album did the first week, HDD is predicting 35-40K, but that’s pretty typical for talent show performers. People watch the show, choose a favorite and wait for that first CD, but then they move on to the next one. It’s a shame, but it’s true.
Maybe if they choose the right track for the second single and promote it to the hilt, things will take off for him. I hope so, he’s a great kid and he’s working hard.
If you had done your homework before writing this article, filled with inaccuracies, you would know that Phillip is no one hit wonder! The album has surpassed platinum, Gone Gone Gone has surpassed platinum, Raging Fire is on fire and on it’s way! “Behind The Light” debuted at #1 in Pop, pushing Michael Jackson’s album to#2! I agree with Ellen, you have no ethics and as you can see, I left off the Sir; not really feeling it for you here!
If you had done your homework, you would know that Phillip is no one hit wonder! His first album has surpassed platinum! Gone Gone Gone has surpassed platinum! Raging Fire is on fire and on it’s way! “Behind The Light” debuted at #1 in Pop, pushing Michael Jackson’s album to #2! You did not check the stats or worse yet, you wrote this article filled with inaccuracies intentionally! I agree with Ellen, you have no ethics, and I am leaving out the Sir; not really feeling it here for you!
Your an idiot Jeff Niesel & so wrong & all Phillip’s fan’s know it as is obvious with our reaction to your insulting review! Phillip has NEVER been a one hit wonder!! Who are you really talking about I wonder because it sure as hell isn’t Phillip!!!
Really?? Is this your first review? I thought a little research was in order when you are a reporter! Your ideas are so unfounded and inaccurate!. Phillip Phillips is hugely successful so far, and this album Behind the Light is going to put him even further over the top! Maybe then you can redeem yourself and give him the review that he so greatly deserves!
I don’t think you have the credibility to assess what the fans were “hearing” when listening to Phillip. Phillip’s songs are all over the radio, his live shows are AMAZING. He has incredible amount of talent. So you can write your half-ass review to your satisfaction but makes you look like you don’t know what you are saying or doing. So be it.
Phillip is a brilliant lyricist, but you have to delve beneath the surface to appreciate the messages so carefully penned in this album. A quick listen looking for flaws results in a flawed review. Plus, your critique seems all about numbers–so NOT what Phillip is about. He is a shining star on a jaded stage.
I think that fans are giving Jeff Niesel way too much credit. Does anyone really believe that if someone likes this CD they won’t buy it because Jeff doesn’t like it? LOL. People with even a few brain cells listen to what they like and don’t give a rats butt what some reviewer thinks about it and this so-called review was so ridiculous it’s obvious that the intention was simply to rile up Phillip’s fans.
Phillip has four albums in the pop category in the top 125 on iTunes. He also has 3 in the top 200 in all categories. You have a very odd definition of one hit wonder.
Are you one of those reviewers who dislike anything to do with Idol? Sounds like it. I bet if you ask his fans at a concert they don’t have any idea that he was on Idol. One hit wonder? obviously you are a reviewer who reallllllllllly didn’t do his homework.
A cheap, cliched review with no insight or concern for the subject he is offhandedly covering. If you have nothing to say the best thing to do is say nothing at all.
Gone, Gone, Gone went platinum so he can’t be a “One Hit Wonder”. You sir need to get facts before you attempt to write an article
LMAO either you don’t know the meaning of one hit wonder or you have just emerged from living under a rock when you wrote this review, Mr Jeff Niesel! In addition to the massive hit that is Home, Phillip also has a big hit in the almost double platinum Gone Gone Gone. And his new single Raging Fire is currently in the top 10 of the HAC and AAA charts. That sounds like multiple hit wonder to me lol!
Before you review an album you should probably listen to it because it sounds like you only listened to 2 songs. Which btw are excellent songs. Phillip is much more than a one hit wonder as many have already said. He’s a great performer, lyricist and he puts on a fantastic live show. His career is just beginning and will still be going strong long after you are gone and long forgotten!!
I am just too tired at the moment to tell you what a dumb ass you are for writing this article.
Looks like ‘Behind The Light’ is going to debut in the #5 spot on Billboard’s top 200. It also remains in the #1 spot on iTunes Pop chart. He also has 4 songs in the iTunes Top 200 in pop. Two from this album and two from his last album. Nothing gives me more pleasure that making your review look as foolish as it really is.