Shadows And Light [Import]

For people who name the album a 'flop', well it WAS a flop when you compare it to sales records of their previous album. That CD went deca-platinum, and still sells worldwide. This album on the other hand, went twice platinum, which is not a 'flop' by sales records, but it was enough to discourage the girls from ever stepping into the recording studio again (and they haven't, ever since).

'Shadows and Light' begins nicely enough with a harmonious riff, followed by the largely forgettable 'Its Only Life', perhaps the album's most unnerving track, simply because of bad production and heavy instrumentation. The second song, however, is what most people will remember this album by. 'You wont see me cry' was the first single release from this album, and it even reached the Top 10 on the US Charts. The second single release features as song three - 'Give it up', which was also the last music video that the band did together. It had a limited US single release, before stores kicked it back to the record company.

After this, 'Shadows and Light' tries to make some sort of social statement, with songs on parental relations, child abuse, and the like, which all sound pretty nice, but actually listening to them can get tiring. The problem with this CD is that it tries to sound serious in patches, and forgets to have fun. Think back to that glorious rendition of 'A Reason to Believe' on the first album. This CD has none of that soul. This becomes more evident on 'Fueled for Houston', a track very reminiscent of the Beatles 'Back in the USSR'. However, it also spells the spiralling-to-death of this CD. One track, 'Dont take me down' could have had good single potential but it gets lost toward the end of the album and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Thr turkeys of the set are reserved for the end. 'Goodbye Carmen' and 'Alone', two of the most trite lyrics the group has ever written, close the album, and, quite literally at the time, the band's career. 'Shadows and Light' is just that, with just way too much of the former. The bright spots here are few, but they shine on brightly, sounding as radiant in the 2000s as they did in the 1990's.

I would highly recommend this album to all girl-group lovers, especially if you heard them first time round. While this album is no classic and will be remembered as what finished Wilson Phillips for good, it certainly deserves a few listens.

The album has a great intro that really highlights the girls voices before jumping right into some of the best songs on the album, which include the fast paced "It's Only Life", the melancholy "You Won't See Me Cry", and "Give It Up". Other strong tracks are the softer ballads such as "Goodbye Carmen", and "This Doesn't Have To Be Love". The album closes the same way it opens with "I Hear You". . . kind of. There is an additional cover of Elton John's "Daniel" right after the album 'officially' ends (unlisted on the cover) which is also very well done. Lyrically mature and sophisticated, "Shadows and Light" is an extremely underrated album by three terrifically talented young women. If given a few spins fans of their debut will find lots here to reward them.

1.I Hear You (Prelude)- nice, but i think the reprise is better.

2.It's Only Life- the first of 3 upbeat songs. this song is really great! the horns just make it so..... energetic.

3.You Won't See Me Cry- Here's the WP we all know and love. 3-part harmonies the whole way through. Reminds me of Release Me.

4.Give It Up- the 2nd upbeat song. more dynamic than IOL. But still it's great.

5.This Doesn't Have To Be Love- a beautiful song with gentle beats and soothing, yet sad lyrics.

6.Where Are You- This song is a very beautiful song. The lyrics just strike you like an arrow. The vocals are really good too.

7.Flesh and Blood- OMG, this song is so emotional. I was almost in tears when I first heard it. The music is beautiful, and the lyrics are so emotional. I mean, how can u be my age(14), and understand songs like this sooo well?

8.Don't Take Me Down- a midtempo song that sounds kinda like Impulsive, from the 1st album.

9.All The Way From New York- written and performed by Chynna, lead vocalist. very touching. the lyrics are just so moving.

10.Fueled For Houston- a song that gives the album kind off a country/rock edge to the album. the 3rd and last uptempo song. very good and fun.

11.Goodbye Carmen- a very moving and emotional song about a woman the girls met on their tour. the music and the lyrics just flow so well together.

12.Alone- very nice. written by wendy wilson and perfromed by her. she does really well on this song.

13.I Hear You (Reprise)- a little longer than the prelude, and better. really shows the harmonizing skills.

What I'm really saying is, Buy this cd! it is a very good cd to add to your collection.