CHRIS PHILLIPS
BUILD ME AN EMPIRE
SHINE ON RECORDS
OUT NOW
When the one and only Alan McGee (Kingpin of Creation) labels you “one of Wales’ finest songwriters’ you have a lot to live up to and boy (or in valleys vernacular mush) does Chris deliver on this his 4th album.
The South Wales music scene had two Chris Phillips’ for a while, first the multi talented one from Aberdare who recorded some fine albums and played blinding live shows and then there was the talentless hack from Brynmawr who introduced live sessions on radio and wrote reviews for radio station BRfm. Whilst Chris the former went from strength to strength the other (my good self ) went into retirement. Recently thou Keep Cardiff Live contacted me to coax me out of self imposed musical ennui, after hearing Build Me An Empire i soon picked up my pen (well laptop) and decided to get back ‘On The Road’
First thing that comes to mind is how the production values have shot up, with lush arrangements to add to the perfect tracks with horns and strings coming at you to embolden the songs. Chris has always worn his influences proudly on his sleeve and there are touches of the less simian Gallagher sprinkled throughout but with his own original stamp. The album balances flat out rockers (On The Road) and more sensitive ballads (Loving You Is Easy) with ease and even has room for a little instrumental interlude in Dreams.
Long Is The Night is a singalong with shades on Don't Look Back In Anger, which builds steadily and features the great and the good of South Walian Music lending their talents to produce an epic standout. In an album packed with highlights it was hard to single out any track but this one just edged over the Lennonesque Until We Meet Again.
My advice to you all is get on this Like A Train and let Chris Build An Empire of light and shade for you, it is good enough to get this tired old man back writing (now where is my microphone) to think that after all Life’s A Dance and Chris provides the Soundtrack.
Chris Phillips
(The Other One)
(I Love Brackets me)
