If she is very, very lucky, the first album by Papa John Phillips's other singing daughter will be remembered as a camp classic, the ultimate document of the 1990s' veneration of supermodel/hellions. Backed by bland, anony... more »mous alternawhatever, with the occasional piano ballad thrown in, she spends the entire disc attempting to emote like Alanis--exactly like Alanis. It doesn't work: Bijou's vocal tone is even thinner than she is, and though every song but the one she wrote at 13 has been buffed up by tune doctors, the lyrics stumble from one howler to another ("You joker, you soaker / She's sleeping with your chauffeur"). A collaboration with Luscious Jackson's Jill Cunniff has a sweet, sunny vibe, but there's not much else but novelty value to recommend this. --Douglas Wolk« less
If she is very, very lucky, the first album by Papa John Phillips's other singing daughter will be remembered as a camp classic, the ultimate document of the 1990s' veneration of supermodel/hellions. Backed by bland, anonymous alternawhatever, with the occasional piano ballad thrown in, she spends the entire disc attempting to emote like Alanis--exactly like Alanis. It doesn't work: Bijou's vocal tone is even thinner than she is, and though every song but the one she wrote at 13 has been buffed up by tune doctors, the lyrics stumble from one howler to another ("You joker, you soaker / She's sleeping with your chauffeur"). A collaboration with Luscious Jackson's Jill Cunniff has a sweet, sunny vibe, but there's not much else but novelty value to recommend this. --Douglas Wolk
"Many people simply won't buy this record because of Bijou's sordid past as a New York club kid, and that is a shame because this is a really, really, good album. All of the songs are instantly catchy, textured, and poignant. The lyrics are some of the only words from a teenager that I can truly relate to. The songs aren't really about experiences, but more about feelings, philosophy, and observation. I wouldn't call this record "angry," but maybe cynical. At 18, Bijou really felt she knew everything about the world around her, and that shows in her writing. In the song, "Just Look Around," Bijou sings; "You can't be anything to anyone, just look around, and you won't find anyone who is anything, anyhow." Bijou also gets a little sarcastic in "Little Dipper," a song about her growing up with a drug addicted parent. She sings; "I could watch you all night long, drinking booze til the break of dawn/If I practice really hard, I could be an alcolholic and take my pain with dignity/Don't you think that's brave of me?/Warm memories of visits to my mothers...." Bijou proves there is a whimsical side to her, with "Mermaid and the Earthman," a love song that seems to be about a mermaid changing her earthman into a merman for her, but it is really a metaphor for the compromises and struggles people endure for a relationship. The music on this album changes with every track. Every song is completly different in composition. Some songs are more guitair driven, like "Hawaii" and "Breakfast." Others are more drum and synth overlaid, like "Polite," and "Just Look Around." Some songs are very punk influenced, like "I Own You," and "I Never Shot the President." But then there are others that are more folk or country inspired, like "I Am a Mountain," and "So Tired." There are no weak spots on this album. It is honest, thought provoking, melodic, and interesting."
!!Bijou!!
04/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Who ever that was needs to grow a brain. Bijou Phillips is a fine young talent and not only can she sing and write deep, meaningful, story-telling songs, but she brings rock music to a new level. I emplore you to take another look at the quaintly articulate, adorable Bijou."
Bijou is going to make it
05/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this cd. She has a great voice and the songs are so full of meaning. She's going to continue to improve and she will be the next big thing"
Overdone
05/13/1999
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The other person is right this record is weak but, it still might sell. Their are too many loops on the songs and it just seems to weigh down a slim song anyhow. And it sounds a lot like Natalie Imbuglia(I hope I spelled that right)"
A great new kind of music
05/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this cd is really great! i love the way that bijou can say things that sometimes you would only hear a group like korn say, and make it sound more meaningfull. she brings the rock sound and the pop sound together in surprising harmony.This is the kind of cd that makes you want to just crank up the volume and sing as loud as you can!This is a great cd and i would reccomend it to anyone! happy listening! ~Sunny"