release date: Jun. 9, 1998
format: cd / vinyl (2 lp)
[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 ]
1998 Favourite releases: 1. Grant Lee Buffalo "Jubilee" - 2. Mark Hollis "Mark Hollis" - 3. Fatboy Slim "You've Come a Long Way, Baby"
