THE NEW ALBUM: Now streaming everywhere and available here for free.

Avoiding mediocrity is an age-old omen. Like many creative artists, various forms of it are frequent themes in my music—reflections of a society we see, hear, feel, and experience, and must navigate. Becoming conscious of mediocrity as a teen was frightening knowing I was caught in it. Escaping and eluding it, enduring the voyage, the journey along the way are life’s chapters of the mind. This album is part of that journey.

“The human heart breaks at the thought of a life of mediocrity.” —C.S. Lewis

Special thanks to musician Jonny Polonsky for his amazing talents, and to mixing engineer Ken Sluiter who helps my songs sound better.

“Phil is a musician with a difference.” — Peter Giles, founding member King Crimson and Giles Giles & Fripp.

BEHIND THE SONGS

“How to Break this Heart” Many of my songs just flow out, like this one which one day suddenly appeared in my conscious mind. The hard part was allowing the melody and lyrics to materialize without thinking much. You may notice the Buddy Holly influence.

“Beware Mediocrity” Mediocrity is everywhere—in health and fitness, education and business, even throughout the arts. These feelings led to the writing of this title track, and my idea for the album cover (drawn by Maryna Yakovchuk). More interesting is the song’s persuasive, imploring C.S. Lewis-like character.

“This Mind is All that We Own” Philosophy, psychology, sociology, and other brain bits consistently contribute to my music, bouncing around the creative spectrum from the lucid to intensely passionate. This repeating title echo’s a sacred mantra of individualism, transported by the song’s peaceful promising reality.

“Travelin’ Man” This is the oldest song on the album because it didn’t fit the themes of previous ones. It does here. The song’s narrator can’t keep up with the illusive character running from mediocrity. (Rick Nelson’s 1961 hit was very different but with the same title.)

“Joni (Clinging to Our Love)” This newest song was in my mind early one morning upon awakening, complete with words and music. I quickly got up, grabbed a guitar, and, even before making coffee, worked it all out. The song is for Joni Mitchell, a sort of giving something back. The first album I ever bought was her first one. Thank you, Joni.