Phoenix Williams ‘Wait & See…’ Review

When I first came to myspace.com over 2 years ago one of the first ever artists I added was Phoenix Williams. Since then I have loved her music and supported her ever since.
Among others on the music site her music stood out as something special to me.

‘Wait & See…’ a 10 track album written and composed by Phoenix and originally a demo album was released 2008 and has been busy steadily selling ever since. I personally feel it has lasted so well cause Phoenix made the album very personal with the lyrics within her compositions. In her own words she says “they are reflections of who I am”

SO

You may ask why leave it till now to review it?
Well it is coming close to the time when you just won’t be able to buy it anymore.
So before the chance has past I wanted to review it for those who may still not of snapped up this fantastic album.
Available as downloads or CD format from Deuce Promotions it is an album where every single track is amazing.
In today’s music market it is very difficult to pick up an album and honestly say hand on heart that you love every track. It is not just me as my friends heard this also while visiting, went home ordered it and they play it regularly after over year still loving it’s sound. Not many albums you can say that about either.

The tracks –

The album kicks off with ‘On My Stereo’ which is ideal track to start off with. Fast paced beat, great effects of a slight distortion deliberate on vocals that all sounds wonderful on sound system and subtle acoustic guitar. The lyrics features the line ‘there’s a song on the radio has a sweet melody you can hum’ but is basically about music and sex as who hasn’t done so or wanted to with their partner to the perfect song setting the mood?
What is cool about this I have heard also this stripped down to basic acoustic version too and it still sounds just as amazing as full band album version.

The second track ‘Get To Me’ features some wonderful electric guitar work by Phoenix and is a song about relationships or more the confidence of starting one. Being shy myself I understood this track about seeing someone across the room having that feeling inside but building up the courage to go over and saying how you feel.

‘Feel For You’ the music/beat so amazing it really rocks. I went to visit my friend who also has album & heard it on surround sound LOUD and WOW! Another song about relationships or as Phoenix puts it “playing cat and mouse” this is one track I noticed on Whotune.com staying most of 2010 in their Top 50 and deservingly so too.

The 4th track ‘Permanently In My Heart’ is closer to the sound many know Phoenix for live in concert with her acoustic performances. This is a slower tempo then the rest of the album so far and such a truly beautiful love ballad. A song with Phoenix vocals sounding so beautiful and enchanting with topic that effects everyone’s heart as in relationships sometimes you just got to put it on the line.

‘Times Up’ is another relationship based track as the title states your times up I’ve had enough. In life we all hang on sometimes till we just can’t take anymore and feel we got to move on. Well this track goes through all those emotions the music goes so well as it helps the expressions being sung and almost plays a character as guitars scream in almost an angry tone.

Now gone halfway through album track 6 ‘Welcome to Run’ is another wonderful number with music blending of acoustic guitar, piano & bongos and Phoenix vocals as always sounding so amazing. The backing vocals are so haunting added with piano & bongos they almost make the track sound Gaelic. A song is reaching a topic so many of us feel these days sadly where we get to that point in a relationship where we go “hell I rather go it alone then put up with this”.

‘Everyone’s been hear before’ is the opening line to the next track ‘Lover Let Go’ and once you start listening you have to agree. Another beautiful acoustic based track with added violin which appears to melt together.
All of Phoenix tracks on this album ‘Wait & See…’ are based around relationships and life and like this track you really take note of the story told and relate to much within the songs.

Have you ever said that classic line ‘you don’t know what you had till it’s gone’. I bet you have I know I have well ‘The Moment I Let You Go’ is basically about this topic. Hurting so much I rather erase the memories a very powerful emotion to sing about.
I find this song very strong and raw due to the subject matter and feeling Phoenix gives delivering them making it sound all too real.

‘Back To Mine’ another amazing acoustic number where Phoenix sounds so comfortable as her amazing vocals tell her story of wanting to take someone home and do things like tomorrow never comes. What is strange the lyrics are touching on real raunchy, sexy but to this acoustic melody you almost miss how hot the lyrics are. Thing is my friend said “the title was big enough clue for me” I had to laugh.

How sad it is that we come too soon to the very last song of this classic album. An album that is a full on ride through all life, relationships, emotions and mind games.
‘Everything Good’ has to be the cream of the album such a masterpiece of everything that is right in a song. Phoenix voice is as perfect as it ever could be with her emotions coming so clear within her singing. The musical arrangement takes your breath away and it rounds the album off to the ultimate climax.

Phoenix Williams singer and songwriter please if not done so check this album out while you still can you will not be disappointed


Phoenix Williams and ‘Wait & See…’ at http://www.myspace.com/phoenixwilliams

Check out Phoenix Williams on her official site which includes new merchandise
http://www.phoenixwilliams.co.uk/


Cover photography by Ben Hawley
Recorded & engineered by Robert White at The Milkhouse
Mixed by Robert White & Phoenix Williams

Phoenix Williams
Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, tambourine & shakers.