"His melodies and voice are made for heartbreak

author: Christie Eliezer

"His melodies and voice are made for heartbreak. Through songs like "Heaven In Your Eyes" and "You'll Never Find", which are part of the searching and healing after his personal tragedies, Philip Foxman has managed on Up Antenna to also reflect the post September 11 mood of his adopted New York, and beyond."

- Christie Eliezer
Australasian bureau chief, Billboard Magazine


Up Antenna is worth celebrating. Combining the pop sensibilities of Crowded House

author: Sarah Bell ( aka wiresparrow)

Acoustic pop-rock has, in recent times, become a rather oversaturated genre. It is extremely difficult for even a talented artist to raise their head and shoulders above the rest of the booming populous to make any kind of impact. Which is why Up Antenna is worth celebrating. Combining the pop sensibilities of Crowded House with observational and self-reflective lyrics, Philip Foxman is a welcome hark-back to the days where the words meant something and the melody remained in your head for days without driving you to distraction.

Born in Sydney but based primarily in New York, Foxman has forged a career spanning from glam-pop to blues-rock and retains the ability to insert a slice of funk into his songs where appropriate. Sleep is awash with groove and cruisey percussion techniques, combined with background vocals to make you melt into your chair. Aside from his iron grasp on the properties of melody, Foxman’s most endearing quality is his instrumental variation and experimentation. The album features bursts of violin, mandolin, samples and harmonica, as well as a variety of keyboard and guitar effects, making for a rich collection of songs which never at any time threatens to relax its grip on the listener’s attention.

Opener You’ll Never Find is reminiscent of Incubus’ Drive, from its strumming pattern through to the turntable scratches separating verse from chorus. Here, Foxman establishes the predominate mood of Up Antenna – a kind of philosophical crawling-out-from-under that toes the line between melancholic and optimistic. In the liner notes, Foxman thanks those who helped him through ‘a very difficult time in [his] life’ and the album maintains a constant tension between darkness and hope which adds to its significance and strength. Perhaps the most poignant track on the album is Until it’s Gone. From its aching lyrics to the gorgeous simplicity of its arrangement, it packs an emotional punch and is certainly among the standout tracks.

When I See You is the perfect example of Philip Foxman’s genre-hopping tendencies. While it is largely driven by acoustic guitar, its backbone of synthesised bass and strings would make Craig Armstrong proud and makes problematic the possibility of assigning Foxman any formal genre category. The variety of the album is impressive without seeming scattered or claustrophobic, a trap that some diverse musicians fall into.

Up Antenna feels at times like a grieving process. It has ups and downs and certainly leaves you with the sense that you’ve just borne witness to somebody’s soul. But while the subject matter of his lyrics is clearly very close to his heart, Foxman always puts the music first. As a result, he has produced an album that is arresting in its impact but, first and foremost, features quality songs. Philip Foxman is the kind of musician you want to see succeed.

"Up Antenna " is a compelling listen to a singer-songwriter who's not afraid to expose in his songs those unspoken emotional scars of our hyped-up, caffeine driven- spiritually seeking society.



Review


Philip Foxman more than delivers on his second solo CD entitled "Up Antenna". Combining classic pop-songwriting with gritty electronic overtones /grooves, driving acoustic and electric guitars, tempered with violins, mandolins. Resulting in a heartfelt sophisticated-pop-sound that brings to mind the likes of David Gray, Richard Ashcroft, Sheryl Crow and shades of current U2.

Foxman's story telling abilities are well showcased here with his socially incisive and poignant lyrics. Sung in an earthy-vulnerable manner, which can't help but capture and involve the listener.

The quixotic blend of violins/mandolins and hip-hop grooves on " Bad Day" guides the listener almost voyeuristically into the life of an Internet dating, medicated, single 30's something women who "just can't get off her love lost self destructive treadmill". While, the moody acoustic guitar driven "Until it's gone " comes across as a dark cynical valentine to life in the naked city. The absorbing and hypnotic strings on "We belong" brings texture and liveliness to this moderately paced song.

Following on the heels of his critically acclaimed CD " West 4th and Charles".
Which fused shades of countrified pop-folk tunes with dark story telling on "Up Antenna" Foxman and his band have stretched out by incorporating atmospheric tones, flourishes of electronica to their acoustic rock, creating a broader more universal sound.

"Up Antenna " is a compelling listen to a singer-songwriter who's not afraid to expose in his songs those unspoken emotional scars of our hyped-up, caffeine driven- spiritually seeking society.

"One of the year's most pleasant surprises. An Australian in New York comes home with a melodic gem."
Jeff Jenkins (Inpress)

Acoustic pop-rock has, in recent times, become a rather oversaturated genre. It is extremely difficult for even a talented artist to raise their head and shoulders above the rest of the booming populous to make any kind of impact. Which is why Up Antenna is worth celebrating. Combining the pop sensibilities of Crowded House with observational and self-reflective lyrics, Philip Foxman is a welcome hark-back to the days where the words meant something and the melody remained in your head for days without driving you to distraction.

Born in Sydney but based primarily in New York, Foxman has forged a career spanning from glam-pop to blues-rock and retains the ability to insert a slice of funk into his songs where appropriate. Sleep is awash with groove and cruisey percussion techniques, combined with background vocals to make you melt into your chair. Aside from his iron grasp on the properties of melody, Foxman’s most endearing quality is his instrumental variation and experimentation. The album features bursts of violin, mandolin, samples and harmonica, as well as a variety of keyboard and guitar effects, making for a rich collection of songs which never at any time threatens to relax its grip on the listener’s attention.

Opener You’ll Never Find is reminiscent of Incubus’ Drive, from its strumming pattern through to the turntable scratches separating verse from chorus. Here, Foxman establishes the predominate mood of Up Antenna – a kind of philosophical crawling-out-from-under that toes the line between melancholic and optimistic. In the liner notes, Foxman thanks those who helped him through ‘a very difficult time in [his] life’ and the album maintains a constant tension between darkness and hope which adds to its significance and strength. Perhaps the most poignant track on the album is Until it’s Gone. From its aching lyrics to the gorgeous simplicity of its arrangement, it packs an emotional punch and is certainly among the standout tracks.

When I See You is the perfect example of Philip Foxman’s genre-hopping tendencies. While it is largely driven by acoustic guitar, its backbone of synthesised bass and strings would make Craig Armstrong proud and makes problematic the possibility of assigning Foxman any formal genre category. The variety of the album is impressive without seeming scattered or claustrophobic, a trap that some diverse musicians fall into.

Up Antenna feels at times like a grieving process. It has ups and downs and certainly leaves you with the sense that you’ve just borne witness to somebody’s soul. But while the subject matter of his lyrics is clearly very close to his heart, Foxman always puts the music first. As a result, he has produced an album that is arresting in its impact but, first and foremost, features quality songs. Philip Foxman is the kind of musician you want to see succeed.

Up Antenna is the solo album Philip Foxman has been threatening for so long

Author: Tony Fletcher

Up Antenna is the solo album Philip Foxman has been threatening for so long – ten songs so delicately crafted from classic melodies and poetic lyrics that, in the finest composer’s tradition, makes his artist anal skills sound deceptively simple. His vocals and guitar accompanied by lilting mandolin, sympathetic strings and a gentle rhythm section, Foxman will have you singing along to ‘Bad Day’ and ‘Arms Around The Sun’ like they’ve been in your lives forever.
Tony Fletcher. Freelance music writer



LYRICS


Arms Around the Sun

She came into my life and turned it all into a paper cup filled it up with tiny flowers.
I smoked my cigarettes and burned the shadows deep into my soul
We stayed up and laughter for hours.
Ahh you put your arms around the sun
Ahh never needed anyone
you put your arms around the sun
And all the pieces let them fall right through the ground
ahh ahh
I saw you dancing in the street between the broken faces smiling no-one ever saw you coming.
Maybe there's nothing else but all that we create inside our hearts I saw that written on a subway.
Ahh you put your arms around the sun
Ahh never needed anyone
you put your arms around the sun
And all the pieces let them fall right through the ground ahh ahh
The Dj's just can't compete with the sound of your voice in the shower. Your life is a one-way street and the love that we share lasts forever.
The love that we share lasts forever.
Ahh you put your arms around the sun  Ahh never needed anyone
you put your arms around the sun and all the pieces let them fall right through the ground ahh ahh
Words and Music. Philip Foxman

Bad Day

Thirty five years old and everything's inside these walls
on 86th and Lex a doorman on the 15th floor.
She plays the singles game the internet there's something wrong
They're fighting to commit hey your better off on your own
She'll wet her finger tonight and leaves it all behind
And she says
All I know is I'll never have a bad day
a tiny pill and keep on living my way
All I know I'll never have a bad day
play it safe and keep on living my way
Ahh nnna ahh nnna ahh
Too much time alone l watching all those TV shows
Carrie can't get laid she writes the story as she goes
He calls her late at night
she can't say no, it's an empty fight
All I know is I'll never have a bad day
a tiny pill and keep on living my way
All I know I'll never have a bad day
play it safe and keep on living my way
Ahh nnna ahh nnna ahh
Bridge
All she got is time
All she got is lies
The days they pass you by
under the liquid neon sky
All I know is I'll never have a bad day
a tiny pill and keep on living my way
All I know I'll never have a bad day
play it safe and keep on living my way
Ahh nnna ahh nnna ahh
Words and music Philip Foxman

Heaven in your eyes

I'm gonna figure it out for myself
How to break down the wall reach the heaven sent
There's an echo in my heart
You're blood runs through my veins
I'm a child in side your arms
It's no good without you near me
I can't stand up I lost the feeling
It's no good I saw
Heaven in your eyes
Maybe I let you go too soon
I remember the words you said to me inside that room
And when my time comes
You'll be waiting
Angel voices in the distance fading
it's no good I saw heaven in your eyes
You said life is a dream
a bitter sweet symphony
and next time around
you'll be dancing on water
dress like a clown
The cities streets are cold and lonely
without you here somebody to hold me
I guess I'll wait until I see you
payrespects until I'm near you
it's no good I saw heaven in your eyes
Heaven in your eyes
Word and Music Philip Foxman

Leave all behind

She covers my soul and I'm lost in the silence yeah yeah  I keep raging inside it's an act of defiance
No illusions no more chains I can go forever and feels insane  There's no where to turn I follow the voices yeah
Here we are standing naked in the rain I gotta leave this all behind
Try to save my state of mind It feels so weird falling
in and out of time Leave this all behind
I pray for a day when there's no more confusion I can't live with regret or go through the motions
It feels like a fire and I hold it Inside I gotta leave this all behind
Try to save my state of mind It feels so weird falling
Going in and out of time I gotta leave this all behind

Words: Philip Foxman
Music: Greg Di Benedetto

Living Hell

You can't see the damage that you've done to me I'm hanging by a shred of who I was.
The center of the universe was in your arms now it feels strange, was all just a game.
I woke up and the morning sun is in your eyes the nightmares and the sirens disappeared
All your clothes are scattered high across my room and the love stains are inside my veins
At times like these you know it feels like a living hell that I'm living.
At times like these you know it feels like a living, feels like a living hell.
The city lights they cover up your tattooed lives  The final exit signs are who you are
and if I only knew how far I would fall In these badlands and without gods hands.
Maybe I should have known
At times like these you know it feels like a living hell that I'm living.
At times like these you know it feels like a living, feels like a living hell.

All the world is changing around us.
You know I feel so stupid I couldn't understand yeah, yeah
Now it feels strange, was all just a game
At times like these you know it feels like a living hell that I'm living.
At times like these you know it feels like a living, feels like a living hell.
Words and Music. Philip Foxman

Sleep
 Sleep close your eyes and sleep  don't try and conquer all the monsters in your head they keep coming back again
And they turn the innocent Into twisted little men
Sleep close your eyes and sleep Just let the memories leave you for a while
They can't hurt you here tonight  dream of pretty things  like islands in the stream
Ooh ohh
Feel the rain on your head touch the leaves as they fall
Kiss he hair say a pray  all we've got is what's here
Sleep close your eyes and sleep
Sleep close your eyes and sleep

Words Philip Foxman


Until it's gone

It doesn't feel like much at first
You go thru the motions and it kinda hurts
After a while it's just like before
Until it's gone
You meet an old friend on a subway train
Wearing a suit that you couldn't afford
He can't quite remember those glory days
Until it's gone
Until it's gone
Tried to believe you can live like a Rock Star
without the emotional scars
You can't pick'em like you used to
Everything's falling apart
Try medication read all the books
Watch TV more than you should
After a while it's just like before
Until it's gone
You wake up alone in a cluttered room
The phone hasn't rung for a couple of days
You thought it would be different
but it's still the same
Until it's gone
Until it's gone
Words and Music Philip Foxman

We Belong

I sit on a cloud and watch the sun
It's so far away
I know in my heart that you're the one
I'm losing sleep just thinking out loud
where did we go wrong
Followed the signs and still were lost

I'm trying to find my way back home
There in you arms were we belong
I'm trying to find my way back home
There's nowhere else I feel so strong

I was running for miles inside my head
jaded and torn
Here in my complicated world
How does it feel to be so free
under the stars
You felt the connect from the start

I'm trying to find my way back home
There in you arms were we belong
I'm trying to find my way back home
There's nowhere else I feel so strong

And if this is all there ever is I need you to know
Inside my excuses I hide my fears they won't let go

The shape of things they never change I walk these alone again
It's all gone it's all gone away
I watch the shadows hit the wall I never thought I'd want it all
But it's all gone it's all gone away

We belong we belong
We belong we belong


When I see you

Baby was crying there in your arms
you made a deal without me and stole away in the dark
I spent my life guessing just who you are
face in the mirror, shadows and the stars
When I see you I know what I'm gonna say
no illusions or games I need to play
When I see you I know what I'm gonna say
How did you get through those days
And just walk away.

I found a number, I heard a voice, maybe I'm crazy but I have no choice
When I see you I know what I'm gonna say
Those invisible scars they never fade
When I see you I Know what I'm gonna say
How did you get through those days
And just walk away
I'm getting closer only minutes away
the clouds are like rivers waiting to break
When I see you I know what I'm gonna say
Those invisible scars they never fade
When I see you I Know what I'm gonna say
How did you get through those days
And just walk away
Words and Music Philip Foxman

You'll Never Find

All my friends are looking at me
like there's something wrong with my face
Why did I let you in so far and gave you so much faith
All I know, is what I feel and what I feel is called betrayal
You can lie you can change it around manipulate and fail
You'll never find. You'll never find
Somebody who loves you like I do

I was blind stupid and dumb but I wanted to believe
We could get through all the stuff and come out with something real
Now I'm standing with my head in my hands and it's heavy and confused
You still wanna be close to me
With him right next to you
You'll never find. You'll never find
Somebody who loves you like I do, Like I do

How can we breath the same air make love and you still don't care
You were digging me a hole. You stole my heart and soul

I'm gonna smile gonna walk the walk
just to get me through
Lonely days and lonely nights till I find someone new
And I will
You'll never find. You'll never find
Somebody who loves you like I do, Like I do

CREDITS

 Credits
 
PHILIP FOXMAN : Acoustic Guitar & Vocals BRAD TOLINSKI: Violins, Mandolins. ERAN WESTWOOD:Drum programming, Keyboards & Samples
GREG DI BENEDETTO:Electric Guitars, noises,Acoustic Guitar *6. MARK SIDGWICK Bass Guitar & backing vocals

Additional musicians
 
brad shepard hamonica #2 skip ward bass #6 eva schampart percussion kristen boyce, cassandra eager,eva schampart backing vocals 
frank picarazzi string arrangements #6

All songs written by Philip foxman except * 5 leave it all behind by greg dibenedetto and philip foxman * 4. sleep by eran westwood and philip foxman

recorded and engineered sub-sun studios; nyc. eran westwood yo studios. n.y.c. bryan lurie, longshanks studio, n.y.c.

additional engineers daniel nash, josh wermut

mixed arcadia studios syd. australia. hamish gordon axis studios n.y.c steve rossitervelvet studios ,syd, australia, adrian grigorieff

mastered by william bowden at king willy sound

cover photo's by prudence upton, inside shot by tony mott

design & layout by artstatedesign.com