The Charting of New Territories, Flashback To 1986

In the vast world of Contemporary Music, there is a great movement of people who are so-called groundbreakers, those who make new stylings in music. They are often cut from a different cloth than the mainstream genres, creating genres of their own. One of the greatest things in contemporary music is composing new sounds, and being one of a kind. Unfortunately, there are those who would glorify a musician for being different and creative, when in truth, all they are being is the former. They may sound unusual, and their lyrics may have a weird twist, but it doesn't make them better than anyone else, just diffferent. Thankfully, not all ground-breaking artists are mediocre, and Sam Phillips happens to be one of those gems that you don't see often.
She has been producing creative works of musical art for some 20 odd years, and has been nominated for a grammy for best rock album of the year, among other things. She holds to her own, and has been an inspiration for many in the music world. but to truly see her at her most creative, you have to turn back with me to the year 1986, when the only Sam Phillips in music was the creator of Sun records, the individual who found Elvis Presley. These were the days when this talented artist was known by her proper name, Leslie. It was in this time that she released her album, 'The Turning'. It ruffled the feathers of the Christian Contemporary Music world, and it was a step away from traditionalism in several ways.
1) She produced it lightly enough for it to earn an 'acoustic' rating across the board from music reviewers. In this time, the most popular band sported blazing electric guitars and booming drums, U2. She also managed to somehow avoid the cheesy 80's synth sound, that was all too popular at the time. This album definitely charted new territory.
2) It left the happy cliches of that era of Christian Music way behind, and delved into real lyrical feelings, instead of glorified 'Let's all be happy!' songs common to that time. With lines such as:

I am so afraid if I keep hoping
That there will come a day when my heart is open
that you will walk away
Like you were never there

Lyrics like these would have been critisized in the Christian community for not being positive enough, and would have been given no heed. It is the same now as it was then, with everyone ignoring their fears, and letting them fester in their hearts instead. Some people are wise enough to look inside themselves, and are more able to speak honestly.
3) She provided Christian music with the maybe the most ingenious moments of Christian music up to that time. From the offbeat drums on 'The Turning', to the quirky guitar track on 'Libera Me', to the tribal sounding 'Carry You', this album was overflowing with creativity, moisturizing the dry well of thoughtfulness in gospel music at that time.
Unfortunately, the masses generally never follow the unusual and thought-provoking pieces of art, but would rather be entertained by catchy hooks, and singable choruses. In doing so, much great art is passed by, and things that should be said are left in the dark. Thankfully, we have the Leslie Phillips of the world, to give us some color for the greyness of common trends. Overall, an excellent album. Now, by song:
'River Of Love'
Maybe my favorite on the album, a piercingly honest song about the detrament of sin, and the effects of the fall on all of our lives. It conveys the need for love in a dying world, and also, more tellingly, the grief of seeing the hopelessness. It combines that message with a single guitar, and her vocal track, to provide for a very intimate setting in which it is obvious that the artist means it, and is not just singing it. An excellent starter.
'Love Is Not Lost'
An anthem for the cause of love. A call for people to not loose heart in each other, for the good things that we can redeem in love to be glorified. I love the harmonies in this song, it caught my attention from the start, even though this is one of the more blatantly 80's sounding songs on the album.
'The Turning'
A warning song, of sorts. It's the cry of need, with Phillips asking to be spared from a 'turning'. Knowing that hearts will grow cold, she pleads for her soul to be spared. Very interesting drums on this track, and nice intense feel altogether.
'Libera Me'
My other favorite song on the album. It's probably the closest thing to a radio single she had on the album. Complete with a catchy beat, a irresistable guitar track, and excellent lyrics (not to mention, catchy chorus, with a clever wording), it is definitely the most accomplished song on the album in terms of artistic form and technical structure (from a mainstream pop point of view). A thuroughly enjoyable song.
'Carry You'
A very simple song, with only two lines and the chorus, sung repeatedly. But it comes across as an interesting song partially for its facinating production. Being consistent with the acoustic, basic percussion or guitar stylings, she plays off of world music.Tribal drums are what drive the song, not intensely, but introspectively, if I could put it that way. The provide a backdrop to her full-sounding vocals, to give an interesting tune. Very well done.
'Beating Heart'
Probably my least favorite song in terms of melody line combined with lyrics, but still a great effort. The lyrics are actually some of the best on the album, but I just didn't feel the song coming together with the flow of the album. It talks about time running out, before things can be put in their place, and the panic of a lost chance. To say more positively, the music does give an intense feel, but the melody line just didn't seem right to me. But still worth a listen, if just for the thought-provoking lyrics.
'Expectations'
Talking to an individual who is to high strung, and over expectant, she tells this person to 'loosen the pressure you choked me with, I can't breathe'. An interesting song, especially musically, with another intruiging percussion pattern. Good lyrics make this a great song.
An excellent example of a post-middle, pre-ending song, with worrisome music, and a drum pattern that yet again, demonstrates her great ability to intertwine melody, lyrics, and rhythm, to provide artistic harmony. This song reminds me slightly of 'Beating Heart', with a sense of loss being center to the thoughts in the song. In this instance, she grieves over the fact that she has been living in a false, superficial religion, rather than accepting it at the level that God was offering it to her. It is a telling song for many, and has an excellent message for living by relationship with God, not by a cold set of religious rules. Very convicting.
'Answers Don't Come Easy'
The answer to the previous song. Now she is resigned to the fact that not all things come with ease, and she is content to wait on the Lord. She conveys a sense of living by grace, and not panicking over false ideas. The music in this song helps to slow things down, kind of put the brakes on, to provide a segway into the next and last song. Very nice.
'God Is Watching You'
An interesting exercise in chorus lyrics, providing for an almost Psalm 136 feeling to it, with original and unique lyrics and thoughts. Here she goes back to the basic sound, as yet again, she goes back to vocals and a guitar. Here we hear for the first time in the album vocal tracks other than her own, in a small choir sort of sound. The Lyrics are nothing incredible, but provide that profundity that only simplicity brings. A sound ending to a work of art, to be remembered for a long time to come.

A couple of years ago, CCM compiled it's list of the greatest albums in Christian music. 'The Turning' landed at number eight. A well deserved spot by a well done album, here's what CCM's Chris Willman had to say about it:
'Some view Leslie/Sam as a turncoat, but her impact on fellow artists was incalculable. If "honesty" is now such a buzzword in the Christian music community that it's almost a cliché, we can trace the emphasis on that quality largely back to one particular Turning point.'
I have no reason to disagree. With honesty like this, the world would be a better place. I hope that many will take cues from Leslie Phillips, to see that honesty is more important than fame, any day. Overall, an excellent pick.