Best of 2025: Grant-Lee Phillips "In the Hour of Dust" (2025)

In the Hour of Dust

udgivet: 5. sep. 2025

format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)

[vurdering: 4 / 5] [4,08]

producer: Grant-Lee Phillips

selskab: Yep Roc - nationalitet: USA

Udvalgte numre: 1. "Little Men" - 2. "Did You Make It Through the Night Okay" - 3. "Closer Tonight" - 4. "Bullies" - 6. "She Knows Me" (4 / 5) - 7. "Someone" - 8. "No Mistaking" - 9. "Dark Ages" - 10. "American Lions"

12. studiealbum fra Grant-Lee Phillips, som udkommer 3½ år efter All That You Can Dream (maj 2022), er skabt i Grant-Lee's velkendte stil, hvilket indebærer en god portion traditionel folk med et gran moderne strejf af country og americana. Når det er sagt, så er alle hans udgivelser alligevel ret unikke i deres udtryk - måske varierer de ikke så voldsomt, som man kan opleve det hos andre kunstnere, men alligevel fremstår de unikke via mere subtile nuancer.

Dette album er ganske enkelt et af hans stærkeste ballade-orienterede udgivelser, og det deler måske nogle af de samme stemninger som 2022-albummet. Der løber en melankolsk enkelhed gennem alle numre – Adam Sobsey fra PopMatters har kaldt albummet for "Lullabies for adults" – men uagtet sangenes langsommelighed, deres indre glød, så fremstår albummet enormt helstøbt og som intet mindre end en kandidat til Grant-Lee's næstbedste til dato.

Jeg har haft albummet på repeat gennem årets sidste måneder, og det er muligvis det album fra 2025, som jeg har lyttet oftest til. Ser vi bort fra Salif Keitas So Kono, så er der ikke andre udgivelser, der har rørt mig som dette. Lige nu anser jeg det for at være 2025's bedste album.

[ Mojo 4 / 5, PopMatters, Uncut 3,5 / 5 stjerner ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "All That You Can Dream" (2022)

All That You Can Dream

udgivet: 20. maj 2022

format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)

[vurdering: 3,5 / 5] [3,60]

producer: Grant-Lee Phillips

selskab: Yep Roc - nationalitet: USA

Udvalgte numre: 3. "Peace Is a Delicate Thing" - 4. "All That You Can Dream" - 5. "Rats in a Barrel" (akustisk live-optræden) - 8. "You Can't Hide" - 9. "My Eyes Have Seen" - 10. "Remember This" - 11. "All by Heart"

11. studiealbum fra Grant-Lee Phillips følger 20 måneder efter Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff (sep. 2020). Phillips har for længe siden taget hånd om sin egen musikalske karriere, herunder udgivelsen af musik på eget selskab, og det er normalt noget, der giver genlyd i musikken fra kunstnere, som arbejder på denne kontrollerede måde. Grant-Lee har også fundet sit eget udtryk, som holder sig tæt til en foretrukken sti, og i tilfældet med denne nyeste udgivelse, føles det næsten som efterfølgeren til hans album 2020 album. Det gør det dog ikke til et ringere album, da det betyder gennemarbejdede kompositioner, hvor 'less is more' i forhold til arrangementer og akkompagnerende musikere - tingene går simpelthen op i en højere enhed som meningsfuld musik. Grant-Lee selv optræder som multi-instrumentalist, hvilket naturligvis gør indspilningsprocessen lettere, og han har slået sig sammen med et par tilbagevendende musikere, som bl.a. tæller Eric Heywood på pedal steel og guitar, Jennifer Condos på bas og Jay Bellerose på trommer - alle spilledede med på Phillips' album fra 2020.

På trods af et begrænset udvalg af instrumenter føles det aldrig uinspirerende eller ensformigt, og det vel sagtens et tegn på håndværk, der beviser hans værd som komponist og arrangør. Mixet og produktionen har desuden præg af live-indspilninger i studiet, hvor man fornemmer tilstedeværelsen af både vokalisten og nærværet ved anslagene guitaren.

Jeg kan lide det, det er godt. Det er ikke et af hans top 3-album, men det er en samling sange, der emmer af kvalitet og autencitet.

Btw.: Forsiden er et maleri af Grant-Lee Phillips, der tilfældigvis også hobbyen med især landskabsmalerier (dette er en undtagelse).

[ allmusic.com, Uncut, Classic Rock 3,5 / 5, Mojo 4 / 5 stjerner ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff" (2020)

Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff

udgivet: 4. sep. 2020

format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[vurdering: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]

producer: Grant-Lee Phillips

selskab: Yep Roc Records - nationalitet: USA

Udvalgte numre: 1. "Ain't Done Yet" - 2. "Drawing the Head" - 3. "Lowest Low" (live acoustic) - 4. "Leave a Light On" (live akustisk) - 5. "Mourning Dove" - 6. "Sometimes You Wake Up in Charleston" - 7. "Gather Up" - 8. "Straight to the Ground" - 10. "Walking in My Sleep"

10. studiealbum fra Grant-Lee Phillips følger 2½ år efter Widdershins (mar. 2018), som viste os en vred Phillips på vegne af sine medamerikanere møntet på valget af den 45. præsident. Siden da indtraf COVID-19, og her på albummet er Phillips tilbage i sit mere introspektive hjørne med ti sange om livets skrøbelighed og de små ting i hverdagens rutiner. Det er alt-country og singer / songwriter-folkesange mere end noget andet – og lidt af en kontrast til hans album fra 2018, da det følger mere direkte i det spor, der blev lagt med The Narrows (2016).

Uanset hvordan han opbygger et nyt album, sørger han altid for at inkludere en varieret række sange, og her finder man også mere tempofyldte numre, hvilket kun gør det mere appetitvækkende. En sang som "Gather Up" er næsten en Tom Waits-agtig sag, der bibringer lys til mørket, og jeg kan virkelig godt lide hans tilgang, som ikke fremstår inkonsekvent, men blot varieret.

Med albummet beviser Phillips nærmest, at han er ude af stand til at lave et dårligt album. Det er altid yderst originalt og noget, man bør tildele opmærksomhed. Sangene er flydende, i deres kerne ligefremme og målrettede.

Det er... stærkt og fint, og anbefalelsesværdigt!

[ allmusic.com, Uncut 3,5 / 5, Mojo 4 / 5, American Songwriter 4,5 / 5 stjerner ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Widdershins" (2018)

Widdershins

release date: Feb. 23, 2018

format: digital (12 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]

producer: Grant-Lee Phillips

label: Yep Roc Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Walk in Circles" (live) - 5. "Scared Stiff" - 6. "Miss Betsy" - 9. "Totally You Gunslinger" - 10. "History Has Their Number" - 11. "Great Acceleration" (acoustic live)

9th studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips follows two years after The Narrows (Mar. 2016) is much to the usual formula produced by Phillips himself and released on Yep Roc. It's however notably more electrified and rockin' than any other of his solo albums - perhaps out of necessity to balance the strong messages he shouts out - as he says: "it's one of those times where you have to plug the guitar in, and shout to be heard, and raise your voice...". Apparently, Phillips simply felt obliged to speak up against the 2017 nomination as the country's 45th president. And both album title with its reference to 'going backwards' ['widdershins'], be it in terms of moral and progression as a people and a nation, and also echoed in song titles such as "King of Catastrophe", "Totally You Gunslinger", and "History Has Their Number", all dealing with troubled times, wrong directions, gun lovers, and choosing a political 'catastrophe'.

Musically, he has long been tuning into alt. country with equal parts of americana and folk, and with increasingly more acoustic arrangements, but on this he appears to revisit the style of his former band, Grant Lee Buffalo, and its electrifying mix of indie rock and roots rock.

It's really a warm welcome back to a bit of disowned practice of using your platform as an artist to engage yourself with political statements. It sort of reminds me of English Settlement (1982) by XTC, Animals (1977) by Pink Floyd, or the angriest and most classic polical album: What's Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye - a reaction to the US engagement in Vietnam, and now: an artist so compelled by the political discourse that he has to react the only way it makes sense. Phillips is no modern Marvin Gaye, but he also feels urged to show his discontent with the way his country positions itself.

The result is an album of sheer energy and a bunch of fine tunes. Naturally, the songs are limited to speak of a specific period of time, and in that may contain a thematic limitation but nevertheless, Widdershins is a refreshing boast of energy.

I like it - it's goood!

[ allmusic.com, Record Collector, PopMatters 4 / 5, 👎Mojo 3 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "The Narrows" (2016)

The Narrows

release date: Mar. 18, 2016

format: digital (17 x File, ALAC) (Deluxe Edition)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]

producer: Grant-Lee Phillips

label: Yep Roc Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Tennessee Rain" (officiel video) - 2. "Smoke and Sparks" - 5. "Holy Irons" (live on KEXP) - 6. "Yellow Weeds" - 8. "Rolling Pin" (live solo) - 9. "Taking on Weight in Hot Springs" - 11. "No Mercy in July" - 13. "Find My Way" (4 / 5) - *14 "Tennessee Rain (Acoustic Demo)" - *17. "Find My Way (Acoustic Demo)" - - [ Full live performance on KEXP ]

*Bonus tracks on Deluxe Edition

8th studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips following a little more than 3½ years after Walking in the Green Corn (Aug. 2012) is another collection of alt. country and singer / songwriter songs in predominantly acoustic arrangements.

Stylewise, Phillips stays on the same dusty roads, perhaps with a bit more country folk than usual. A few songs ("Tennessee Rain" and "Rolling Pin") are more folk rock-crafted but the overall impression is an album in the quiet end of the scale, and on these thirteen songs, he's mostly only supported by acoustic guitar, bass, a few piano notes, an occassional fiddle, and percussion. The Deluxe Edition adds another four demo takes to the tracklist. Phillips has been there before, but he still knows how to write and narrate his soothing and lamenting songs. After attempts with other styles and finding the right arrangements, he seems to have found his own blend - sometimes turning up the Americana, the alt. country, the folk rock knobs, this one is like a perfect sequel to Virginia Creeper and Walking in the Green Corn.

The Narrows may not be his best but less will do and it's definitely a solid release.

[ allmusic.com, Mojo, PopMatters, Uncut 4 / 5, Exclaim! 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Walking in the Green Corn" (2012)

Walking in the Green Corn
release date: Aug. 10, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Grant-Lee Phillips and Denise Siegel
label: Magnetic Field Recordings - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Vanishing Song" - 2. "Great Horned Owl" - 3. "Buffalo Hearts" (4 / 5) (live) - 5. "Fools Gold" (4 / 5) (live) - 6. "Silent Arrow" (4 / 5) - 7. "Bound to This World" - 8. "Thunderbird" (4 / 5) (live) - 9. "Black Horses in a Yellow Sky" - 10. "Walking in the Green Corn" (live)

7th studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips following three years after Little Moon (Oct. 2009). This is again a more subdued and laid back Phillips like heard on Virginia Creeper (2004). And it's almost exactly as good as that but may need more time to blossom, at least that's what I experienced. I found it slightly dull at first, but over time I have come to really enjoy it. Aside from being close to his 2004 album - which means mostly acoustic singer / songwriter and alt. folk compositions with Phillips' vocal, acoustic guitar, and only accompanied by violin and / or backing vocals - it's also an album where he takes on a tone that sounds like sung by Michael Stipe and Eddie Vedder combined - at least that's the image I get, and that can't be bad.
Walking in the Green Corn is one of his best solo albums.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Little Moon" (2009)

Little Moon
release date: Oct. 13, 2009
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Paul Bryan
label: Yep Roc Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Good Morning Happiness" (live) - 3. "Little Moon" (live on KEXP) - 6. "Nightbirds" - 7. "Violet" - 8. "Buried Treasure" (live on KEXP)

6th studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips is like a combination of the predecessor, Strangelet (from Mar. 2007) - with its more uptempo pop / rock songs - and Virginia Creeper (Feb. 2004) with its focus on primarily acoustic alt. folk. What I don't appreciate that much on the album, is a bold inclusion of brass instruments, which sometimes makes it sound like The Beatles when they were most mainstream.
Having come across a few of his acoustic live versions from the KEXP radio show, they really puts his compositions on a higher level, so the production side of the album, I think, is not doing justice to his material, really, and Little Moon basically falls in the low end of his discography.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Strangelet" (2007)

Strangelet
release date: Mar. 27, 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Grant-Lee Phillips
label: Zoë Records / Cooking Vinyl (reissue) - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Runaway" - 2. "Soft Asylum (No Way Out)" (4 / 5) - 3. "Fountain of Youth" (4 / 5) (live) - 5. "Dream in Color" - 7. "Raise the Spirit" - 9. "Killing a Dead Man" - 11. "Return to Love"

5th solo studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips follows only nine months after Nineteeneighties (Jun. 2006). Here, he's back again with his own material, and this is really not like any of his former solo albums being much lighter but also more uptempo than usual. As much as I enjoy his slow melancholic alt. folk songs, I think, he also shines when he's more energetic and pop-minded, although, it's hard to conclude that it necessarily makes it better. The tracks here are composed more as the music with Grant Lee Buffalo, although, this hasn't much alt. rock to it, but more of a pop / rock and alt. folk sound with nice glimpses of Marc Bolan glam rock about it. Strangelet is a strong album and recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Nineteeneighties" (2006)

Nineteeneighties
release date: Jun. 27, 2006
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,62]
producer: Grant-Lee Phillips
label: Zoë Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 2. "Age of Consent" (New Order) - 3. "The Eternal" (Joy Division) - 7. "Under the Milky Way" (The Church) - 9. "So. Central Rain" (R.E.M.) - 10. "Boys Don't Cry" (The Cure) - 11. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" (The Smiths) (4 / 5)

4th studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips as the follow-up to his so far best album Virginia Creeper (Feb. 2004) is a pure covers album. All tracks are Phillips' heavily altered versions of covers all from the 1980s, as indicated in the title. And it's not only altered music, it's transformed into an acoustic alt. folk and singer / songwriter style regardless the style or genre of the original song.
At first I found it too strange, and rejected it as over-the-hill, possibly because I'm very familiar with the originals, but then his versions definitely have something else to offer. They actually turn out more as new compositions regardless the lyrical and musical sources. When I first began listening to the individual songs as Phillips' own, they seem better 'cause they are no longer lingering in a post-punk period but are flourishing on a new set of terms. I like it - it's really good.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Virginia Creeper" (2004)

Virginia Creeper
release date: Feb. 24, 2004
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Grant-Lee Phillips
label: Zoë Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Mona Lisa" (4 / 5) - 2. "Waking Memory" - 3. "Lily-a-Passion" (4 / 5) - 4. "Dirty Secret" - 5. "Always Friends" - 6. "Calamity Jane" - 7. "Josephine of the Swamps" - 8. "Far End of the Night" - 9. "Susanna Little" (5 / 5) - 10. "Wish I Knew" - 11. "Hickory Wind"

3rd solo album by Grant-Lee Phillips released 2½ years following Mobilize (Aug. 2001) is Phillips back as sole producer on his own songs, which comes out as soft folk rock destilled in a slow and skilful way.
I really love his coolness and 'I don't mind'-attitude. Not only has he written all but one track on the album, he has also put himself in the production seat, and he sings lead vocals, plays the banjo, guitar, and piano. I think, he likes to do things his own way. He makes alternative singer / songwriter indie folk rock in his own narrating way with touches of americana. I also like how he explores different genres from time to time. You never know what kind of music he releases but somehow the albums are always a compound of interesting songs, which in a way is how mature artists often operate, although, not many musicians dare to be that honest and just follow their heart. Although, Mobilize was a mighty fine album Virginia Creeper is easily his so far best solo work proving he does more than well on his own.
Track highlights' are all eleven songs - this is naturally highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, PopMatters, Uncut 4 / 5, Mojo 4,5 / 5 stars ]

2004 Favourite releases: 1. Arcade Fire Funeral - 2. The Streets A Grand Don't Come for Free - 3. Grant-Lee Phillips Virginia Creeper

<  show lyrics >

~ ~ ~
"Mona Lisa"

"You're the last of your kind, Mona Lisa
With a wink of your eye,
Ya make it all right
Oh there's more left to life, Mona Lisa
Let me take you along for the ride

Aint nothin' that stays the same
Won't ask it a' you
Just that burgundy smile you wore yesterday
Say ya won't ever lose

I been down, I been worse
Mona Lisa
Came in last, came in first
But it all gathers dirt, Mona Lisa
'Fore ya bathe in the light

Aint nothin' that stays the same
Won't ask it a' you
Just that burgundy smile you wore yesterday
Say ya won't ever lose

Oh ya taught me this much, Mona Lisa
I done set it aside
For when you need the same magic touch
For for when you need remindin'

Aint nothin' that stays the same
Won't ask it a' you
Just that burgundy smile you wore yesterday
Say ya won't ever lose
Just that burgundy smile you wore yesterday
Say ya won't ever lose"

~ ~ ~

"Susanna Little"

"Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own Creek blood
The odyssey of your life

A motherless child, you were torn from your home
By decree of the county affairs
Good Christians, they gave you a lily-white dress
And they shorn back that Indian hair

Told ya 'study your Bible, be silent and still
And take to the ways of the whites'
Nothin' they offered could break down your will
For you ran for the gates one night

Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own Creek blood
Stories that keep you alive

Your daddy, Joe Little, had woes of his own
Drink was much stronger than greed
But some in the city felt native red hands
Were no place to let rest a deed

Oklahoma was rich with the stench of black oil
And the men who came there to drill
In the sun baked clay of Indian lands
There, in the desolate fields

Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own creek blood
Songs that'a keep you alive

Mysterious crimes, oh they swept through the county
Waving the finger of blame
Eyes turned to Joe Little
A couple too many of acres land to his name

No one would have heard the lone shot in the night
They never posted his bail
Big Joey Little, he never walked out
Of Sheriff Stanton's jail

Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own Creek blood
The odyssey of your life

For all of the lives you lived this far
No part of you could have known
The evil hearts of the men who would fetch ya
One night by the side of the road

The moon, it grew dark and the frost would form
Before ya finally were found
Chained to a log in a torn white dress
Shakin wild eyed on the ground

Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own creek blood
Such were the trials of your life...

Yet in the years to come, you took a man
Raised five of your own
And for a spell it was as almost as though
The light of justice had shown

The hand that had written this part but for you
And made it all plenty hard
Gave you a gusher, a well spring of oil
There in your own back yard

So pile them kids in the plush back seat
Ridin shotgun in the Packard to town
With your man, Tom Fisher, one hand on the wheel
The other on your knee now

Sussana Little, Sussana Little
Gone 'fore I ever arrived
Questions that stream through my own Creek blood
The odyssey of your life

:Sussana Little
:Sussana Little"

~ ~ ~

Grant Lee Buffalo "Storm Hymnal: Gems From the Vault of Grant Lee Buffalo" (2001)

Storm Hymnal: Gems From the Vault of Grant Lee Buffalo (compilation)
release date: Oct. 2001
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Paul Fox; Paul Kimble
label: Slash Records - nationality: USA

2 cd compilation album by Grant Lee Buffalo released 2 years after the disbandment. Disc 1 of the album is subtitled "Takes", which is a kind of best of compilation from the band's four studio albums, and disc 2 "Double Takes", is a collection of alternate recordings and rarities. The album basically documents the band's potential. There was an almost too slow acceptance among music lovers when it came to appreciate the qualities of this band. Contemporary critics and other artists praised the band, and the acclaimed position didn't cease to grow, which perhaps explains a need to compile the music. Grant-Lee Philips, who gave name to the band, and who is credited for all its compositions initiated his own solo career with his first studio album Ladies' Love Oracle (2000), but in 2011 and 2012 the band was back together in its original line-up to perform both in the US as well as in Europe. However, there are no plans of recording new material and / or of reestablishing the band. All members seem preoccupied with solo careers but their four studio albums and this fine collection are all worth more than a glance.
[ allmusic.com 3/ 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Mobilize" (2001)

Mobilize

release date: Aug. 14, 2001
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Carmen Rizzo, Grant-Lee Phillips
label: Zoë Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "See America" (4 / 5) (live) - 2. "Humankind" - 3. "Loves a Mystery" - 4. "Sadness Soot" (4 / 5) - 6. "Spring Released" - 7. "Lazily Drowning" - 8. "Like a Lover" (4 / 5) - 9. "Mobilize" - 10. "Beautiful Dreamers" - 11. "Sleepless Lake"

2nd studio album by Grant-Lee Phillips following one year after Ladies' Love Oracle is a more diverse bunch of tracks with use of more varied instrumentation compared to his more subtle and introvert acoustic debut. Although, it appears more diverse, and more up-tempo with the alt-country element, the songs are the result of only Grant-Lee's own writings and instrumental performance. At the point when the band Gran Lee Buffalo was reduced to a duo they found guest artists to fill in where former band associate Paul Kimble played a leading role, and when Phillips made his solo debut, it was likewise with the assistance of other musicians, however, on this he plays and programs it all to almost perfection. The result is still an album for the few, for people who seek and listen, but it's also a fine accomplishment that may be recognized at some point in its own right.
The album easily betters the debut but should not be compared with albums by Grant Lee Buffalo as this is not the type of indie rock the band stood for but instead it shows us what a gifted songwriter Phillips is. My only negative critique is that some of the tracks are too stereotypically The Beatles-and-Beach Boys'-harmonically-sounding.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Grant-Lee Phillips "Ladies' Love Oracle" (2000)

Ladies' Love Oracle [debut]
release date: May 1, 2000
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Grant-Lee Phillips
label: Cooking Vinyl - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "You're a Pony" - 2. "Heavenly" - 3. "Squint" - 4. "Don't Look Down" - 5. "Flamin' Shoe" - 7. "Lonesome Serenade" - 9. "St. Expedite" - *10. "Snow Flakes"
*[Bonus track on Cooking Vinyl issue]

Studio solo debut by Grant-Lee Phillips (aka Bryan Grant Phillips), former lead vocalist of Grant Lee Buffalo, who disbanded in early '99 after four critically acclaimed albums and their swan song album Jubilee (Jun. 1998). On this his first solo release, Grant-Lee is only producer, just as he preferably would continue on future solo issues. The album is predominantly acoustic in an alt-country and americana folk rock-style with focus on the narrative, thus making it a singer / songwriter album. Originally, the album was released by the small independent label, Rounder Records as an online issue only. I have really come to enjoy the music by Grant-Lee but it has taken me several years, and my general perspective on his music is that it may require a certain amount of exposure and repetitive listens to fully appreciate it.
My initial thoughts of this was a somewhat bleak and anonymous album, but it's really much more than that. It just needs maturing. Today, I find that all the songs on the album are more than just fine and on a high level, although, the album lacks obvious hits, and also reflects too little variation.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Best of 1998:Grant Lee Buffalo "Jubilee" (1998)

Jubilee
release date: Jun. 9, 1998
format: cd / 2 lp vinyl (2023 RE) ('clear vinyl')

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,18]
producer: Paul Fox
label: Slash Records - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "APB" (4 / 5) - 2. "Seconds" - 3. "Change Your Tune" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Testimony" (4 / 5) - 5. "Truly, Truly" (4 / 5) - 6. "SuperSloMotion" - 7. "Fine How'd Ya Do" - 10. "Everybody Needs a Little Sanctuary" (4 / 5) - 12. "Crooked Dice" - 13. "Jubilee" - 14. "The Shallow End" (4 / 5)

4th and final studio album by Grant Lee Buffalo following Copperopolis (1996). The style is very much the same recognizable alt. rock and indie rock, although this is, in my opinion, the band's best and most pop / rock-styled release with a bunch of great and original songs. This is also the least alt-country, country rock, and least americana-styled release of its 4 albums. Bassist, keyboardist, and the band's usual producer Paul Kimble had left the band in '97 and he's replaced by Dan Rothchild on bass, Rami Jaffee on organ, and Jon Brion on keyboards for the studio recordings only 'cause the band is by now just a duo, consisting of Grant-Lee Philips and drummer, Joey Peters. Many guest artists (vocalists and instrumentalists) feature on several of the songs. Most notable are Andrew Williams (additional vocals on tracks #5 and #9), Robyn Hitchcock (additional vocals and harmonica on track #11, and additional vocals on #14), and Michael Stipe (additional vocals on track #10).
All the band's albums had been very well-received by the music press in general but the band basically failed to attract customers remaining a cult band that never experienced huge popularity in its lifetime. In early 1999 Phillips and Peters split and pursued solo careers. Singer and songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips (who had written all songs for the band) initiated his fine solo career, but this album is simply the best pop / rock release of 1998 - and too few know of its existence.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Edit 2023:

The double vinyl issue is a mighty fine pressing.

1998 Favourite releases: 1. Grant Lee Buffalo "Jubilee" - 2. Mark Hollis "Mark Hollis" - 3. Fatboy Slim "You've Come a Long Way, Baby"

Grant Lee Buffalo "Copperopolis" (1996)

Copperopolis
release date: Jun. 4, 1996
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Paul Kimble
label: Slash Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Homespun" - 3. "Arousing Thunder" (4 / 5) - 9. "Two and Two" - 10. "Better for Us" - 12. "Comes to Blows" - 13. "The Only Way Down"

3rd studio album by Grant Lee Buffalo following Mighty Joe Moon (1994), once again produced by bassist and keyboardist Paul Kimble is also his last with the band as he would leave in '97. The style isn't that far from the '94 album but perhaps feels more like a combination of the first two studio albums, but it also lacks really great compositions.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Grant Lee Buffalo "Mighty Joe Moon" (1994)

Mighty Joe Moon
release date: Sep. 20, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Paul Kimble
label: Slash Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Lone Star Song" (4 / 5) - 2. "Mockingbirds" - 4. "Sing Along" - 5. "Mighty Joe Moon" - 8. "Drag" - 11. "Honey Don't Think"
[ full album ]

2nd studio album by Grant Lee Buffalo released 1½ year after Fuzzy (1993). The style is basically the same as on the fine debut from '93, although, this seems somewhat more melodic but also slightly more alt. rock-styled as contrary to more folk-based compositions on the predecessor. I find that the album is interesting but also without obvious great tracks, and it simply seems more murky without being boring.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Grant Lee Buffalo "Fuzzy" (1993)

Fuzzy [debut]
release date: Feb. 23, 1993
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,63]
producer: Paul Kimble
label: Slash Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "The Shining Hour" - 2. "Jupiter and Teardrop" (4 / 5) - 3. "Fuzzy" - 5. "The Hook" - 7. "Stars 'n' Stripes" - 9. "America Snoring" - 11. "You Just Have to Be Crazy"

Studio debut album by the Los Angeles trio Grant Lee Buffalo consisting of Grant-Lee Phillips on lead vocals and guitar, Paul Kimble on bass and keyboards, and with Joey Peters on drums. The band has become known as an artists' favourite band - many have lauded the music and style of the band but they never has been a great public magnet. Lead vocalist of R.E.M., Michael Stipe called the album best of the year, and also music critics on both sides of the Atlantic praised the album. Stylistically, the band plays an alt. rock with focus on folk rock and americana, and has been linked with the music of John Stewart and Neil Young. I recall, being introduced to Fuzzy by a friend of mine back when it was released, but I didn't rate it as high as I would later on. I think, my initial rejection of the music had much to do with my own fascination for dream pop and grunge rock at the time, and this is far from that. Today, I really enjoy it, and I think my rating has gone from 2,5 to 3,5 in the span of 20 years.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, NME, Q Magazine 4 / 5 stars ]