Wilson Phillips California Lyrics

It took 10 years and more tummy-tuck coverage than the average fan might have wanted, but Wilson Phillips is back, its taut three-part harmonies intact. Concept album California couldn't have been a difficult record to make--the daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson (Carnie and Wendy) and the Mamas and the Papas' John and Michelle Phillips (Chynna) grew up on these canyon-deep, left coast-leaning hits. Surprisingly, though, it's not their parents' songs--"Monday Monday" and "In My Room" among them--that Wilson Phillips make soar. Instead, they stomp off with the Eagles' "Already Gone" (covered twice here, once as a hidden track) and opener "You're No Good," the Linda Ronstadt classic, skewing the songs in their favor, making what was once rich and earthy seem pop-sweet. The sun-drenched perkiness pervading these tracks may be standard Wilson Phillips, but credit legendary producer Peter Asher with maintaining a sandcastle-smooth sound throughout. --Tammy La Gorce