Martin Phillipps - Sketch Book: Volume One (2000)

Now that I've posted David Kilgour's demos--a superior collection to this one, I must say--I thought it would be appropriate to share Mr. Phillipps' home recordings as well. It's interesting to compare the trajectories of their respective careers, isn't it? They're more interconnected from the start than one might think. Remember that classic organ line on the Clean's immortal "Tally Ho" single? That was supplied by none other than Martin Phillipps. Go forth and impress your friends with this very useful knowledge! Well, I would be impressed. The songs on 2000's 'Sketch Book' were committed to tape between 1988 and 1995, and they aren't bad by any means. It wouldn't be untruthful, however, to suggest that Phillipps' creative zenith was in the past at the time that much of this was recorded, and some pieces are clearly more unfinished and less successful than others. In the end, and as much as it pains me to say this, I feel that the bits n' pieces collected here would vastly benefit from the additional production they might eventually receive. A lot of production. I never thought I'd think that about any of Phillipps' work; after all, the four-track splendor of 'Kaleidoscope World' is the Chills I reach for most. A different scope seems to be envisioned here, less "Rolling Moon" than "Heavenly Pop Hit," maybe? These are virtually "sketches," however, so this is all really useless speculation.

Wondering what Mr. Phillipps has been up to lately? Listen to these radio interviews with Martin from September here and from May here. Thanks, Adam!

- Ariel