For those who criticize them for releasing a cover album, I respectfully disagree. I think it was a masterful move for them to release a cover album filled with fun and familiar tunes. Now that they have shown that they still have a fan base, perhaps we will be seeing a CD of original work.

Although I like "Monday, Monday", for the Mamas and the Papas homage I would have preferred to have heard "California Dreamin'". It would have been amazing.


CALIFORNIA Dreamy   May 27, 2004
Michael A. Lever (Van Nuys, CA USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

In an age of Lipsynching Pop Princesses and foul-mouthed rappers masquerading as musicians, WILSON PHILLIPS' "California" is a breathless, effortless gem, as cool as an ocean breeze off the Santa Monica Pier.

First and foremost, Wendy Wilson, Carnie Wilson and Chynna Phillips can SING. How strange and sad a notion that one has to emphasize what should be a requirement: Singers that actually sing. (One only wishes the folks at American Idol would follow that lead.) For it is a real shame that artists such as
WILSON PHILLIPS get washed aside in the wake of overhyped, overproduced and underwhelming acts polluting the airwaves.

"California" reunites 3 talented women and showcases their incredible talent for harmony and phrasing that we have come to love (and miss) since their big splash 12 years ago with "Hold On" and "Release Me." The wait has been well worth it, as there is a richness and maturity to their tight sound that serves this cover album quite well. Stand-out takes on "Doctor My Eyes," "In My Room" (a nod to the Wilson music legacy) and "Go Your Own Way" bridge generation gaps and meld musical memories to maximum effect.

This is a CD worth your time and your heart, for it conjours up the warmest thoughts of the best of the past and the sweetest hope for the future. Share the love with family and friends, and remind yourself and them just what real singing is.

A grand return for a great group: Welcome home WILSON PHILLIPS!


Enjoyable pop with Wilson Phillips!   May 26, 2004
Kenneth E. Haynes (Snellville, GA USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

We can always ask for more, but this is a solid effort. The vocals are nice and crisp. The harmonies are excellent and we already know the lyrics to these standards. Peter Asher's arrangements are not quite up to par. Brian Wilson would have probably been a good choice to produce this one, but the vocals are what we came for and they are very good. This one is better than their last effort and not as strong as the first one. The one thing that is for sure, while we are fighting senseless wars and facing record gas prices, this is something very familiar that we can enjoy and the girls sound like they had a blast putting California together. Start the car, pop in the CD and go back in time. You'll be glad you did!


Their prowess are there voices and passion for harmony****   May 26, 2004
Ant (New York, NY United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I like this CD a lot. It's been awhile and I very much welcome their return. I listened to the whole album with a stereo system and a personal CD player. The validation is that the album's strength are the ladies ability to sing and those heavy harmonies. Let's not forget that this is not only a cover, but also a concept album. It seems that some dislike their selection of songs, but I'm indifferent because it's not original material. What I love is their tremendous talent for those signature harmonies. That's simply amazing.

About the album's content--the first single "Go Your Own Way"--when I first heard this I was comparing it to Lindsey Buckingham's. It was lacking the bitterness and candor. I gave it another listen and I understood that they made this version their own. I respected that. I mean previous remakes of this song is similar to the original. Wilson Phillips stepped out of the box per say and gave it their own vibe. The hook is the intro and choir. Besides, Lindsey's version was personal and understandably his voice and lyrics reflected that. The ladies are paying homage (as with every song in this CD)... With the rest... "Monday, Monday" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" have those 60's funk and with the latter combines a groovy Go-go's style-esque and intricate harmony arrangement while the former rocks with Chynna as lead. "Already Gone" personally, I feel is an upgrade of the Eagles classic, and Carnie's verse (voice) is uncanny to Ann Wilson of Heart. "In My Room" has that heavy and dark sound. And Brian praising the ladies will be a classic. That was just the sweetest thing. The harmonic arrangement is to be praised for "Turn, Turn, Turn" and Wendy's great in "California". She's grown so much vocally. And gotta love the chorus in "Old Man". Hey, Linda Rondstadt said that "She loved WP's version of "You're No Good" and it was the best version yet". If it was good for her, then it's good for me. Much respect to Peter Asher, but I personally think that the album did not need the highly polished and modernization of the tracks. The Wilson Phillips signature harmonies and voices (organic) combined with simple acoustics; as heard on the hidden track of "Already Gone" proves this. The album's purpose is to showcase the ladies talent which they very much proudly have, and that they're back!