After releasing the critically acclaimed album The Turning in 1987, the prominent pop artist formerly known as Leslie Phillips left the narrow confines of Contemporary Christian Music behind forever. What was CCM's sure loss was the world's generous gain. A year later she released an album called The Indescribable Wow on Virgin Records and earned the award for most controversial Christian crossover artist of all time (Sorry, Amy).
Notwithstanding her CCM swan song, The Turning, Wow was her most interesting, creative album to date, both accessible and artistic--and no less inspired by the intersection of life and faith, though less cliche-ridden and obvious about it all. Some former fans fled (to their collective shame) and others stuck with Sam Phillips for three more albums (my favorite is 1991's Cruel Inventions). Her fifth for Virgin Records, Zero Zero Zero works as a sort of greatest hits collection with a generous sampling of songs from her last four albums, two welcome new songs, and a number of alternate mixes and remixes.
Rummaging around these fifteen favorites is bound to frustrate the die-hard fan looking for their own personal picks. This collection curiously has cast off as much worthy material as it includes, and it is nearly as notoriously short as some of her brief albums. Regardless, the chosen pieces further reinforce Phillips's penchant for quirky pop songs with a contemporary spin on Sixties sounds. Her wispy, high-pitched singing style does not mark her as one of the world's greatest vocalists, but her signature delivery works both affectionately and memorably. Her voice is infinitely enjoyable after a brief period of acclimation, and the perfect vehicle ofttimes for her song's subjects. More flattering and flawless is her songwriting, which has grown both more elusive and entertaining since her days under the stifling rules of CCM. Through Phillips's clear lenses life is more grand and gritty, and the true God who accommodates us with ever-present grace has no frontiers. Awesome art, indeed!
Phillips is a recording artist of rare caliber, and Zero Zero Zero is a beautiful bookend before she (hopefully) embarks on a whole new set of exciting chapters.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Jeffrey OverstreetIt's hard to believe that, after five solid albums, unparalleled critical acclaim, and a foray into action movies, Sam Phillips is still far from becoming a household word. But maybe she likes it that way. Judging from the guarded tones of "Disappearing Act," one of two new songs that appears on her "near and not-so-near hits" collection Zero Zero Zero, the spotlight-shy singer/songwriter may not…Similar sounding releases
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