Wilson Phillips Albums Ranked
Wilson Phillips first appeared in 1990 flaunting a harmony-rich sound that helped send three singles from their first album — “Hold On,” “Release Me,” and “You’re in Love” — to the top of the Billboard charts. Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson, and Chynna Phillips comprised the vocal trio, whose sudden success was matched by an equally impressive pedigree. The two Wilson sisters had grown up in California with their father, Beach Boy bandleader Brian Wilson, and often made appearances on his albums throughout their childhood. Chynna’s parents, meanwhile, were John and Michelle Phillips (of seminal folk-rock band the Mamas & the Papas). Despite growing up alongside such icons, the girls first pursued separate careers in acting and modeling, only turning to music when Chynna (having been influenced by Band Aid and Farm Aid) suggested they make a charity record with other children of famous musicians. The project fell through, but it also brought the three girls together again, forming Wilson Phillips in the process. Here are all of Wilson Phillips albums ranked.
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5. Christmas in Harmony
“Christmas In Harmony is a Christmas release that works. It combines several original compositions with a group of lighter secular tunesand a few traditional hymns to create a nice mix. Their famous harmonies are still present, providing the foundation for their music. They wisely brought back producer Glen Ballard, who had worked with them during their most popular period.”
4. Dedicated
“This tribute to the Wilson Phillips famous parents is simply a labor of love. The song selection and renditions captures the essence of their famous parent’s most revered hits. Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Chynna Phillips and a very pleasant surprise…Owen Elliot Kugel (Mama Cass Elliot’s daughter) on the CD title Dedicated to the One I Love, will make you smile and hope for more in perhaps a sequel. Owen’s vocals are vibrant and you can hear the vocal resemblance to her famous Mom. The entire CD is filled with the perfect blend of Beach Boys and Mamas & Papas hits. The song Good Vibrations is sung in an amazing a cappella.”
3. Shadows and Light
“This album is considered by many a “Flop” but upon listening to it, it jars away from the lighter side of their debut, it delves more into a serious and dark tone in this album. The album as a whole to many might need a few listens but to me on my first listen, this album was great. Sure, it is not like it’s superior but it has many personal lyrics in each song that it almost relates to a part of your life you might have gone through.”
2. California
“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. “
1. Wilson Phillips
“Sugary, commercial pop/rock isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and in fact can be fairly enjoyable in the right hands. But Wilson Phillips are much too sweet for their own good. This debut album — which amazingly went five-times platinum during the early 1990s — is about as lightweight and sophomoric as it gets. Chynna Phillips’ weak singing on such homogenized, mundane fluff as “Impulsive,” “The Dream Is Still Alive,” and the chart-topping “Hold On” isn’t even remotely convincing. Compared to Phillips’ saccharine performances on “You’re in Love” (another major hit) and “A Reason to Believe,” even Tiffany and Debbie Gibson’s debut albums have some bite.”
