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 ]

BEST OF 1998:Grant Lee Buffalo "Jubilee" (1998)

Jubilee
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"

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 ]