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Reviews of "Full Circle" |
This website and all sound, vision and information on it is (p) & (c) Phil Lewis |
Review from Front magazine issue 05 South Wales' Phil Lewis narrowly missed out as this month's Demo Winner with is finely-crafted - and very well produced - songs which he performs acoustically in a Crowded House/Beatles style |
Review from MWIWAK fanzine #6 Previous release "Generation Ecstasy" led to Phil Lewis being acclaimed as "Wlaes finest unsigned writer...Just how long can the industry ignore this man?" So, does this latest tape stand up to such plaudits? The opening "Damaged" is tops. Like Massive Attack remixing a hymn, with a minimal, delicate ending. "New Star" captures the uplifting jangle of the whole tape best. "Over You" has a contender for best opening line with "Take all these tears that I'm crying / Make them into a swimming pool".If the overall feel is uplifting, there are moments of kitchen sink depression such as "Little Boy Lost". Definitely worth a look |
Review from Never For Nothing CCM Newsletter (September 1998 edition) It would be wrong of me to compare this mini album with his previous two releases because of the nature of it's style. Swirling 60's guitars and keyboards have been replaced by, mainly, acoustic instruments for what Phil calls "a more personal" collection of songs. This means that the lyrical content, and songs as a whole, need to be really strong to stop them being too samey. The Opening "Damaged" is good, without being brilliant, but "New Star" sets the ball rolling with it's singalong phrases and a superb backing vocal that compliments Phil's individual vocals very well. "Over You" is well structured, while "Little Boy Lost" - a song about life's disappointments versus God's promises - grows stronger as it unwinds. The bear minimum backing is used on "Perfect Moment" and, prehaps, it's no wonder that this seemed to be the weakest track on offer. "Feel the Fire" is more in the rockier tone of his previous releases, if a little short in length. Personally, I'm a Phil Lewis fan. His music always seems to offer something different for the listener in both musical and lyrical content. Despite some media interest, that elusive big time call is yet to come. 8/10 |
Review from Indiependent fanzine #6 Full Circle; it's a trendy blokes fashion label isn't it? Yes, but it's also the third self produced mini album from the curiously still unsigned South Wales spiritualist singer-songwriter, Phil Lewis. Doesn't sound that trendy - except maybe the Welsh bit - but don't be put off by the religious stuff. It's a personal, yet very accessible, collection of carefully crafted acoustic melodies accompanied by prolific, yet earnest, lyrics. Although they do overtly embrace Christian subject matter, Lewis is no manic street preacher and avoids force-feeding his audience ghastly god-bothering sermons. |
Review from Cross Rhythms Magazine (issue 49, Feb/March 1999) Thos of you who have been reading CR for a while will know that we've already flagged down Phil Lewis as being one of the most gifted unsigned singer/songwriters in Britain. He specialises in songs fullof evocative imagery which make their spiritual points with an artists palette knife rather than a sloganeer's trowl. The title of this EP is particularly appropriate as after kicking off his recording career with fellow Welsh musician Nigel Wiggins, under the moniker Full Circle, he now renews the musical partnership and together the two CCM veterans make afine musical blend, softer and more melodic and definitley more focused than Phil's previous, rather eclectic, offerings. Discover this gifted muso. 8/10 |
Reviews of "Generation Ecstasy" |
Review from Never For Nothing CCM Newsletter (October 1997 edition) This is the fifth offering from Wales' finest unsigned writer that I've reviewed in the last couple of years. Once again, Phil doesn't just stick to his previous successful formula, and the depth of his work continues to evolve. The early U2 influences are there in "Coming to You" and his 60's jangly guitars are highlighted with "Your Tune" and "Dark Days". Just as Martin Smith's vocals are instantly recognisable, Phil's voice has the same quality that give him individuality rather than being just another singer. "In Heaven" is a poignant song, sung to a dying loved one, the worsds being those we have often been unable to say previously. "Child", I feel, is the one weak spot of the 6 tracks but "Come Running" is a simple song, with the obligatory 'throw away' chorus that buzzes around your head for days. Just how long can the industry ignore this man? 9/10 |
Review from Sn@kebite fanzine issue 5 Refreshingly, pleasant, adult style pop. Would probably be very successful on VH1. There are no real choruses to sing along to, but "Coming to You" sounds like a pop hit from the eighties, almost sung like an early Simple Minds tune. A well produced tape, oozes the talent and skill of Phil and he's got a great singing voice. |
Review from R*E*P*E*A*T fanzine #10 A tuneful and confident demo from Penarth's Phil Lewis, whose pleasant, uplifting songs put him nicely into the 'earnest solo singer/songwriter' mode. While songs like "Child" and "Come Running" are very pleasant, my major gripe is with the horribly excessive amount of production on the tracks, which is off putting when you're rtying to listen to the songs themselves. However, still promise here..... |
Review from all about d and friends fanzine #10 My heart sank when I read certain of Phil's press clippings, only to be uplifted, thankfully, by the music itself. I was expecting - well, I won't say what I was expecting. But what I got was pleasant, well-produced, generally quite up-beat, tuneful songs without much trace of either Ralph McTell or The Prodigy (yes, seriously!), nor too much preaching. |
Review from Cross Rhythms Magazine (issue 42, Dec/Jan 98) 'Generation Ecstacy' is a six song mini album that could best be described as eclectic. It's also rather good. Phil's songs cover a wide spectrum of styles from bloke-with-guitar-and-voice to art house rock. Side one of the cassette kicks off with "Coming To You" which vies with side two's opener "Dark Days" for the title of strongest song. The sound is just a bit too brittle with cymbals that splash and there is too much reverberation at times, shame really as the production values are very good. There are some really interesting sounds that demand attention. Check out the sound in the chorus of "Coming To You" or the tabla on "Child". Great stuff! The big disappointment is that there are only six tracks. More next time please. 7/10 |
Reviews of "Better" |
Review from finetime magaizine (February 1997 edition) Phil Lewis is a solo singer-songwriter tipping his hat to the catchy, melodic trad-rock of Crowded House, with the odd trippy moment like "Stream of Consciousness". Salutable and soulful with some good lyrical barbs. |
Review from Never For Nothing CCM Newsletter (November 1996 edition) This is the third tape from Phil that I've had the pleasure of reviewing this year, although the first with a full backing band. The opening 'Fantasy Reality' has some interesting lyrics and a guitar sound that sounds like my old 'deathwish' distortion pedal! Influences are plentyfold here with a little bit of Pink Floyd and Oasis rolling into the psychodelia number 'Stream of Consciousness'. Previously, Phil's slower numbers have always worked the best but this time round, the roles are reversed - 'Fade Away' being the weak link. I did cringe a little when I saw the title of the last track because it had already appeared in three different guises on his other tapes. However, 'Set Your Sights' - I believe - has reached new heights. Apart from the rather strangled guitar sound, it's a good six track tape. It's not going to break new ground in the music business but it does prove that Phil can, on the whole, continually write strong material. 7/10 |
Review from Cross Rhythms Magazine (issue 36, Dec 96/Jan 97) His last tape 'Demographic' was good; this 6-song effort is even better. The opener "Fantasy Reality" has an engaging lilt ala Elvis Costello which nags the listener into submission while "Stream Of Consciousness" punches home its hook over distorted guitar and tight bass and drums and "It's Not Like This In The Movies" has an acoustic pop sound a little like Phil's old Full Circle band. The lilting but short "How Long" asks God "How long must the children cry/Before we're all released?/How long 'til Paradise is within our reach?" and the tape closes with the Dylan-esque "Set Your Sights". An engaging singer/songwriter who seems to fuse retro and contemporary, Crowded House and Peter Gabriel to find his own quirky individuality. 8/10 |
Review from Buzz Magazine (November 1996 edition) 6 track demo in a very earnest singer-songwriter mode. "It's Not Like This in the Movies" is worryingly relodent of Ralph McTell and the rest of it is efficient and workmanlike in the extreme - if there's a handle on this Icertainly can't grab it. There's some nice Sly Stone wah-wah on "Fade Away", "How Long" evokes the Style Council and on "Set Your Sights" Phil gets a bit Only Ones-y. But this obvious ability and versatility doesn't exactly transalte into a thrilling musical experience (yet). 5/10 |
Reviews of "Demographic" |
Review from finetime magaizine (May 1996 edition) Like Angle Corpus Christie, Phil Lewis sounds 15 years out of date but light years ahead of his time. Tacky 80's synth sounds wobble and quaver accross his simple tones like some long lost new romantic stumbling through a time warp, yet his expansive ambience and array of ideas would work for the house band on some intergalactic space cruiser. Intriguing stuff. |
Review from Buzz Magazine (June 1996 edition) Beautifully produced in every sense, this is 'adult' pop with a huge nod to Peter Gabriel and "Woodface" era Crowded House: quirky in places and catchy in places. It's not for me, but Mr Lewis definitley deserves a record deal. Perhaps the aforementioned Mr Gabreil might oblige? 8/10 |
Review from Cross Rhythms Magazine (April/May 1996 edition) Phil Lewis is a singer/songwriter from South Wales who'd previously worked with acoustic rock/pop team Full Circle. 'Demographic' is a collection of six of his own songs showcasing his song writing talent. The vocals are very reminiscent of Michael W Smith at his best and, as is becoming of a singer/songwriter, they fit the songs wonderfully, the arrangements being full without being too busy. The opening song, "Tumbling Down", has bouncy 70s keyboard sound with a strange intro made from repeated single syllable samples. "So Beautiful" is a rare jewel in the music industry, especially the Christian part of it, as it is haunting love song with a tasteful keyboard accompaniment and not a mention of sex anywhere. The final song, "A Million Dollars", is a witty commentary on the futility of chasing wealth and money and it does not pull any punches. "Hollywood is a lie, not a lifestyle/That vision of your Utopia has died/The lottery is not a dream, it's a nightmare/Where the beast has found you in his lair." All in all enjoyable listening, quite an achievement on a low budget recording, and one I will recommend to anyone, though it might not be everyone's cup of tea. 7/10 |
Review from Never for Nothing CCM Newsletter (March 1996 edition) "How many million dollars make you pleasing to your eye?" asks the Duran Duran sounding "A Million Dollars". Formerly the driving force behind acoustic pop band Full Circle, Phil has released this 6 track demo to "please his own, ever changing musical tastes". It's a roller coaster ride through fresh sounds that are influenced by Bowie, U2, and a host of others. "Tumbling Down" is a Frankenstein of a song which sounds like a bit of an experiment, compared with "So Beautiful" with it's spare but effective backing. the simple songs are his tightest creations, and "Stumble On" sounds more like the Everley Brothers than even Phil & John! A talented man this Mr Lewis! 7/10 |
Extracts of reviews of Phil Lewis songs which featured on the "15 Minutes" CD, which contained songs by five unsigned artists (released by 25 Records) |
Extract of review from Pocket 2 fanzine Best Track: "Fade Away" by Phil Lewis. "Fade Away" has a good bassline, and lovely squelchy noises, making it very listenable. "A Million Dollars" has better lyrics and an instsent drumbeat which makes way in the middle 8 for clanging noises. |
Extract of review from The 1/2 Creeper, a USA based fanzine Phil Lewis is a versatile singer/songwriter who adds his own touch of class to an already classy disc. His presence gives the disc a bit of variety. |
Extract of review from the Indiependant fanzine Phil Lewis is soulful and full of obvious talent. Maybe he sounds better because he's surrounded by such dross on this CD. Whatever the reason, he certainly stands out. |
Demo Tape Reviews |
Singer / Songwriter |