Glen Phillips Shows Trademark Melodic Prowess on ‘Swallowed By the New’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

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His thriving solo career aside, Glen Phillips has been involved in many diverse and dynamic enterprises, chief among them Toad the Wet Sprocket and the super group of sorts, WPA, as well as one-off projects Plover and Remote Tree Children. The constant remains Phillips ability to write and record songs that bear a cheerful sweep and a keen sense of melodic prowess.

Swallowed By the New is merely the latest example of that talent, but for those unawares, it’s also the perfect primer, a collection of tracks that attest to Phillips wonderfully affecting tomes and easy, unhurried demeanor. From the unabashedly sprightly and hook-laden refrain of songs such as “Baptista” and “Amnesty,” to the mellow, McCartney-esque innocence and imagery of ballads like “Leaving Oldtown,” “The Easy Ones” and “Criminal Career,” Phillips makes a sound that not only offers ample appeal but also a quiet but concise delivery. With tunes imbued with a dewy eyed, folk-like sensibility (“Grief and Praise” sounds particularly tempered and timeless in that regard), he creates an aura so lush and lilting that it’s all but impossible not to be swayed simply on the basis of their sweet sentiments.

Part of the appeal comes in the form of the rich instrumental embellishment that producer Paul Bryan adds to the overall mix, a rich layer of orchestration and acoustic accoutrements supplemented by Bryce on bass, veteran drummer Jay Bellarose, guitarist Chris Bruce, Keyboard player Jebin Bruni and a fully fleshed out string section. That reverential quality takes a few turns — with the darker, deliberate “Unwritten” and the imposing “There’s Always More” in particular — but for the most part, the upbeat disposition still manages to stay intact. A love letter to fans and followers, Swallowed by the New is an engaging testament to Phillips’ finesse.