Kicking off proceedings is the Gallagher-esque 'I Pray.' Drenched in reverb and sounding utterly massive, 'I Pray' sounds like it belongs in a stadium, with anything smaller being a complete injustice. A crunchy, metallic guitar solo adds a razor's edge before feedbacking into the next offering, 'The Dreams We Had.' This concept album way of doing things was most unexpected from someone who doesn't do this for a living - Chris Phillips is a man with a vision and the balls to make it happen.
Next up is 'Warning Signs,' riding in on a wave of pure grunge. From Oasis to Soundgarden - the 90's were rather alright at this music malarkey. Chris' rhythmic phrasing just punches straight through the vast layers of instrumentation. Pulsating 'Oooh's' and 'Ahhh's' in the middle-8 section tickle your kidneys, before a slicing guitar solo takes your eyebrows off, just because it can.
The title track, 'Come On and Set the World Alight,' brings things back down to earth. Violent jabs are replaced with confession, and a swelling chorus strides past you, plucking you from the depths of your chair and throwing you into the sky. Airy, honest, and ultimately uplifting, 'Come On and Set the World Alight' is worthy of its distinguished place as a title track. A bass line that dances underneath the melody rewards those who listen harder - I've found that with this album: one listen isn't enough. Keep going back, and you'll find some absolute gems; a hidden hook or a new tinkle in the corner, something different each time.
'We Stand Together' carries on this gentler theme, introducing kisses of soft organ. These little flourishes are one of my favourite pieces of instrumentation on the album; they add to the sense of honesty, vulnerability almost, in Chris' songwriting. Come On and Set the World Alight is already a very sincere work, but it's these minor details that really add the sheen that makes the sparkle.
'Run For Your Life' throws a whirling, swirling ball of noise that Chris tames with his surefooted guitar work. Again, Chris Phillip's massive sound is very much apparent here, but a gentle outro shows that he can mix raging waves and calm waters without spilling a drop into the world of distaste.
A return to the roots of Gallagher, 'Fly Away!' matches squealing guitars with a soaring vocal melody. It's a recipe we're all familiar with, but Chris' thick, saturated sound puts his signature on this tried and tested formula.
Come On and Set the World Alight decrescendos back into its mellow vibe for the final few songs, beginning with the beautifully titled 'Always Wake Up Smiling' - a beautiful thought to pen a song about, if not as musically entrancing as the rest of the album.
Thick, saturated, and lyrically sweet, Chris Phillips would make a fantastic baker. His songs are a credit to the classic songwriting formulas of the last 40 years, but still manages to add his own stamp to every song. Anthemic, experimental, and above all, a two fingers up to the songs that live in the Top 40, Come On and Set the World Alight brings back the sound of the not-so-old days, and many people - my mother included - thoroughly enjoy Chris Phillips' music. That's right, Elaine approves.
What's Chris Phillips' sound?
Think back to the early 90's, where the powders were pure and the music was purer. We're talking old school Oasis, but with a varnish of thick, heavy, pungent shoegazing atmosphere. More textures than a carpet catalogue, but with a damn side more soul.
https://www.facebook.com/chrisphillipsband
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https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/come-on-set-world-alight/id967096387
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