Phil Wickham (album)
Encyclopedia
Phil Wickham is the debut album recorded by American Christian & gospel singer Phil Wickham
, released on April 25, 2006.
is often compared to John Mayer
, Jeff Buckley
and Coldplay
.
"With his influences dating back to his parents’ tenure as a part of the Jesus Movement in bands The Way and Parable and with tunes reminiscent of Coldplay
, there’s a beautiful simplicity that makes Wickham’s album truly unique." -CCM Magazine
"I guess Phil Wickham from San Diego grew up listening to some of the artists I mentioned, he is also inspired by the modern singer/songwriter style where John Mayer
comes in mind." -Melodic.net
Bart Millard: "Phil Wickham combines a west coast ethic that channels the pop sensibilities of Coldplay
with the emotive lyrics of singer songwriters like John Mayer
."
"Shades of Sixpence None the Richer
’s genius mixed with Coldplay
’s melancholy charms, Wickham’s music is lavishly poetic and compelling." -Christian Music About
"His vocal vibratos remind me of Jeff Buckley
, but Wickham is more controlled, less improvisational than Buckley." -Soul Shine
"... for its modern-sounding melody woven with Wickham's soaring vocals, which are reminiscent of mainstream acts like Jeff Buckley
and Travis
." -SongTouch.com
"The lyrics are vertical in nature, with the majority of the tracks being completely acoustic, stripped and raw with little or no help from BGVs. But perhaps that is what makes this debut so inviting. The ease with which the emotive lyrics drip off Wickham’s tongue really draws the listener in." '-Lindsay Williams from CCM Magazine
"...virtually every song builds from humble acoustic beginnings to a cymbal-crashing climax. While this might seem exciting, rather it elicits a "sameness" that brings a somnolent quality to the whole album." -Paul Schultz from The Trades
"His lyrical dexterity is solid throughout the mix of acoustic ballads and sonic rockers; likewise, he manages to inject a deep sense of intimacy in either groove... He uses strings to perfection to add an atmospheric quality to many tracks, and the effect is only magnified with his richly layered arrangements and passionate delivery" -Christian Music About
"I wouldn't be surprised if Phil had just pressed record on a tape recorder, gotten lost in the beauty of prayer, and found in playback God was really leading Him to the lyrics for this record, that's how freeflowing the CD is, the tracks continue each other, building upon thoughts, longing, and maintaining confidence of God's Word by trusting Him with your life. An excellent view of worship from the honesty of a heart flooded with grace." -Soul Shine
The first single, “Grace” serves as a desperate plea to God for His grace to cover humanity and also sets the incredibly emotional tone for the rest of the disc. While there is not a definite theme that runs throughout the album, haunting melodies, with Wickham’s unforgettable vocals, make stand-out cuts such as “Mystery” and “I Adore You” sound both magical and intense." -CCM Magazine.
"In a beautiful combination of melody and lyrics, “Grace” fully expresses the pain and darkness of the valleys we all experience. He calls grace out by name, referring to God, and asks for guidance and direction through those hard times in life.' -Associated Content
“Grace” is receiving early praise for its modern-sounding melody woven with Wickham's soaring vocals, which are reminiscent of mainstream acts like Jeff Buckley and Travis. Wickham will also get some invaluable exposure thanks to his label connection. He'll join MercyMe on tour for a handful of dates in April and May."'-SongTouch.com
" “I Will Wait for You There” seeks a quiet place "far from the world and it's violence where the Lord can speak to you, and you can worship without obstruction. A couple of songs show an interesting progression in faith." -The Trades
Technical Credits
Phil Wickham
Phil Wickham is a Contemporary Christian vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from San Diego, California. Wickham has released five CDs, Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, singalong in 2008, and Heaven & Earth in 2009. His upcoming album "Response" is slated to...
, released on April 25, 2006.
Background
"Every song on the record is an adventure, which made making the record an unforgettable experience" Kipley says. "Phil has such an incredible sense of melody, lyrics that read like poetry, and I believe the listener will leave with feelings of the greatness of God, and at the same time the desire for God to have an intimate relationship with us."Comparison
Upon his first release, Phil WickhamPhil Wickham
Phil Wickham is a Contemporary Christian vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from San Diego, California. Wickham has released five CDs, Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, singalong in 2008, and Heaven & Earth in 2009. His upcoming album "Response" is slated to...
is often compared to John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
, Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
and Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
.
"With his influences dating back to his parents’ tenure as a part of the Jesus Movement in bands The Way and Parable and with tunes reminiscent of Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, there’s a beautiful simplicity that makes Wickham’s album truly unique." -CCM Magazine
"I guess Phil Wickham from San Diego grew up listening to some of the artists I mentioned, he is also inspired by the modern singer/songwriter style where John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
comes in mind." -Melodic.net
Bart Millard: "Phil Wickham combines a west coast ethic that channels the pop sensibilities of Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
with the emotive lyrics of singer songwriters like John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
."
"Shades of Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer
Sixpence None the Richer is an American rock/pop band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is...
’s genius mixed with Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
’s melancholy charms, Wickham’s music is lavishly poetic and compelling." -Christian Music About
"His vocal vibratos remind me of Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
, but Wickham is more controlled, less improvisational than Buckley." -Soul Shine
"... for its modern-sounding melody woven with Wickham's soaring vocals, which are reminiscent of mainstream acts like Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
and Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
." -SongTouch.com
Reception
Critical response
Phil Wickham has received generally positive reviews from most music critics."The lyrics are vertical in nature, with the majority of the tracks being completely acoustic, stripped and raw with little or no help from BGVs. But perhaps that is what makes this debut so inviting. The ease with which the emotive lyrics drip off Wickham’s tongue really draws the listener in." '-Lindsay Williams from CCM Magazine
"...virtually every song builds from humble acoustic beginnings to a cymbal-crashing climax. While this might seem exciting, rather it elicits a "sameness" that brings a somnolent quality to the whole album." -Paul Schultz from The Trades
"His lyrical dexterity is solid throughout the mix of acoustic ballads and sonic rockers; likewise, he manages to inject a deep sense of intimacy in either groove... He uses strings to perfection to add an atmospheric quality to many tracks, and the effect is only magnified with his richly layered arrangements and passionate delivery" -Christian Music About
"I wouldn't be surprised if Phil had just pressed record on a tape recorder, gotten lost in the beauty of prayer, and found in playback God was really leading Him to the lyrics for this record, that's how freeflowing the CD is, the tracks continue each other, building upon thoughts, longing, and maintaining confidence of God's Word by trusting Him with your life. An excellent view of worship from the honesty of a heart flooded with grace." -Soul Shine
Grace
The lead single Grace has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.The first single, “Grace” serves as a desperate plea to God for His grace to cover humanity and also sets the incredibly emotional tone for the rest of the disc. While there is not a definite theme that runs throughout the album, haunting melodies, with Wickham’s unforgettable vocals, make stand-out cuts such as “Mystery” and “I Adore You” sound both magical and intense." -CCM Magazine.
"In a beautiful combination of melody and lyrics, “Grace” fully expresses the pain and darkness of the valleys we all experience. He calls grace out by name, referring to God, and asks for guidance and direction through those hard times in life.' -Associated Content
“Grace” is receiving early praise for its modern-sounding melody woven with Wickham's soaring vocals, which are reminiscent of mainstream acts like Jeff Buckley and Travis. Wickham will also get some invaluable exposure thanks to his label connection. He'll join MercyMe on tour for a handful of dates in April and May."'-SongTouch.com
Divine Romance
" “Divine Romance” intimately explores the relationship between God and his creation. The narrator uses first person, making the song unique and personal. A love song in the purest sense, each line is filled with a wonder and amazement that can only be fully found in a God who is wholly in love with His creation." -Associated ContentI Will Wait for You There
" “I Will Wait for You There”, is a sensitive and soft expression of not only willingness to wait for God's presence, but the desire to cry out in praise despite the present circumstances." -Associated Content" “I Will Wait for You There” seeks a quiet place "far from the world and it's violence where the Lord can speak to you, and you can worship without obstruction. A couple of songs show an interesting progression in faith." -The Trades
Mystery
" “Mystery” speaks of dryness in prayer, with no prompt reply forthcoming ("Here in the quiet speak to me now/My ears are open to Your gentle sweet whispering/Break down the door, come inside/Shine down Your bright light/I need a lamp for my feet, I need a lamp for my feet/I want to hear the thunder of who You are/To be captured inside the wonder of who You are")." -The TradesTrack listing
Phil Wickham| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1. | "Grace Grace (Phil Wickham song) Grace is the first single by american christian & gospel singer Phil Wickham from his debut album Phil Wickham.-Background:-Critical response:The lead single Grace has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics... " 4:47 |
| 2. | "Messiah" 3:56 |
| 3. | "Mystery" 5:22 |
| 4. | "Divine Romance" 4:58 |
| 5. | "Yours Alone" 4:03 |
| 6. | "I Will Wait for You There" 4:13 |
| 7. | "I Adore You"" 3:58 |
| 8. | "Always Forever" 4:41 |
| 9. | "Crumble to Pieces" 4:15 |
| 10. | "Fall Into You" 4:24 |
| 11. | "Holy Holy Holy" 4:02 |
Album Credits
Performance Credits- Phil WickhamPhil WickhamPhil Wickham is a Contemporary Christian vocalist/songwriter and guitarist from San Diego, California. Wickham has released five CDs, Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, singalong in 2008, and Heaven & Earth in 2009. His upcoming album "Response" is slated to...
– Acoustic GuitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, Banjo, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Electric GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Christine Donahue – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Elijah Thomson – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Roy G. Biv – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Brandon Lozano – StringsString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
Technical Credits
- Mike O'Connor – ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, EngineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,... - Peter Kipley – ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Andrew Mendelson – Mastering