I realised yesterday that for the last week or so, I've been listening exclusively to music that is at least ten years old, or new music by bands I discovered at least ten years ago. This may account for the lack of updates on here. I should mention that my listening has mainly centred around the new Grant Lee Phillips album (and old Grant Lee Buffalo stuff), the new Hope Sandoval album (and old Mazzy Star stuff) and the new Sleeping Years EP (and old Catchers stuff). I seriously need someone to recommend me some new bands that I might like. I can't remember the last time I discovered a really good NEW band.
In any event The Sleeping Years 'Into Sunlight' is single/EP of the week and, for that matter, month. It is out now as a four track single on itunes and out Monday on 7" vinyl. The lead track is probably the most catchy, poppy song that Dale Grundle has put his name too since Catchers' 'Cotton Dress'. Really shimmery, pretty stuff with a flourish of brass at the end that makes it sound grand, its a great song and one deserving of more airplay and attention than it will most likely get.
The b sides are both quiet, slower songs. 'Katherine Cove' is particularly good, sounding dark and mysterious. Sleeping Years' last album 'We're Becoming Islands One By One' was shamefully overlooked in most of last year's 'best album' lists (not mine!), but this single offers hope that their next album is going to be even better.
Showing posts with label grant lee phillips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grant lee phillips. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Grant-Lee Phillips 'Little Moon'
Former Grant Lee Buffalo frontman, Grant-Lee Phillips' solo career had been frustratingly inconsistent thus far. Ten years in and the highlight was still his understated debut solo EP 'Ladies Love Oracle'. From there on he has produced a fairly wide range of styles but whilst each album has had something to recommend it, each has been let down either by poor production, a lack of strong songs or in the case of 2007's 'Strangelet' a lack of any interesting lyrical or musical ideas at all. After last year's nadir, a woefully inessential album of 80s covers, he returns with his fourth solo album of original songs.
'Little Moon' was written and recorded quickly, with a four-piece band and consequently of all Phillips' albums it is the most natural and 'live' sounding. Recent efforts have suffered under the weight of a good deal of studio-trickery and over-production but the sound here is fresh with plenty of room for the songs to breathe. And happily, 'Little Moon' is a fine and diverse collection of songs, by some distance Phillips' best work since the last days of Grant Lee Buffalo.
It is also a very positive and uplifting album. Phillips is enjoying domestic bliss with his wife and recently-born daughter Violet, so this was never likely to be an angst fest, and so it proves. Opener 'Good Morning Happiness' is like a less irritating version of 'Wake Up Boo!', a short, sharp blast to welcome you in. Elsewhere, Phillips varies the pace and feel more than he has in the past and the result is an album that sounds full of ideas. The title track for example is a lovely, drawn out ballad sung beautifully by Phillips in a warm croon over piano and strings, but it is followed by the swagger and stomp of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry' with brass accompaniment.
Elsewhere 'Blind Tom' is a pretty piano ballad about catching songs on the wind, 'One Morning' is an anthemic guitar-led number sounding more like Phillips' old band than anything else here and 'Older Now' is a funny/sad song about ageing delivered in a patient and soothing style that emphasises Phillips' maturity and ease.
I was a fan of Grant Lee Buffalo and have bought every Phillips solo album really wanting to like it, but despite still being an engaging live performer his LPs have always been something of a let down. This however, is excellent. A varied and always interesting collection of memorable songs. Highly recommended. Assured and confident.
'Little Moon' was written and recorded quickly, with a four-piece band and consequently of all Phillips' albums it is the most natural and 'live' sounding. Recent efforts have suffered under the weight of a good deal of studio-trickery and over-production but the sound here is fresh with plenty of room for the songs to breathe. And happily, 'Little Moon' is a fine and diverse collection of songs, by some distance Phillips' best work since the last days of Grant Lee Buffalo.
It is also a very positive and uplifting album. Phillips is enjoying domestic bliss with his wife and recently-born daughter Violet, so this was never likely to be an angst fest, and so it proves. Opener 'Good Morning Happiness' is like a less irritating version of 'Wake Up Boo!', a short, sharp blast to welcome you in. Elsewhere, Phillips varies the pace and feel more than he has in the past and the result is an album that sounds full of ideas. The title track for example is a lovely, drawn out ballad sung beautifully by Phillips in a warm croon over piano and strings, but it is followed by the swagger and stomp of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry' with brass accompaniment.
Elsewhere 'Blind Tom' is a pretty piano ballad about catching songs on the wind, 'One Morning' is an anthemic guitar-led number sounding more like Phillips' old band than anything else here and 'Older Now' is a funny/sad song about ageing delivered in a patient and soothing style that emphasises Phillips' maturity and ease.
I was a fan of Grant Lee Buffalo and have bought every Phillips solo album really wanting to like it, but despite still being an engaging live performer his LPs have always been something of a let down. This however, is excellent. A varied and always interesting collection of memorable songs. Highly recommended. Assured and confident.
Friday, 21 August 2009
new Grant Lee Phillips record
Since Grant Lee Buffalo split, frontman Grant Lee Phillips has released a string of every more disappointing solo albums, each sounding further and further away from matching the euphoria and poignancy of a Grant Lee Buffalo record. 2007's 'Strangelet' was a collection of entirely pleasant...and entirely bland pop/rock guitar songs. Totally inessential and really disappointing.
You started to wonder if the fire still burned for Grant. Well, it seems it does. In October, Grant will release 'Little Moon' on Cooking Vinyl and you can listen to it now here: http://www.reverbnation.com/grantleephillips
On first listen, it is a fine collection of songs recorded with a full band and containing the same diversity and experimentation as the best of GLB. It has fiery rockers, such as the immense 'Good Morning Happiness', heart-felt ballads such as 'Older Now' which was written about Grant becoming a father at 44 and the sort of quirky, exhuberant, slightly glam numbers that Grant used to make, in the shape of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry'.
In short, the record is a blast. It sounds like it was fun to record and it is great to listen to. Mark this one in your diary, out in October! Nice one Grant.
You started to wonder if the fire still burned for Grant. Well, it seems it does. In October, Grant will release 'Little Moon' on Cooking Vinyl and you can listen to it now here: http://www.reverbnation.com/grantleephillips
On first listen, it is a fine collection of songs recorded with a full band and containing the same diversity and experimentation as the best of GLB. It has fiery rockers, such as the immense 'Good Morning Happiness', heart-felt ballads such as 'Older Now' which was written about Grant becoming a father at 44 and the sort of quirky, exhuberant, slightly glam numbers that Grant used to make, in the shape of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry'.
In short, the record is a blast. It sounds like it was fun to record and it is great to listen to. Mark this one in your diary, out in October! Nice one Grant.
Monday, 16 July 2007
Grant Lee Buffalo
The re-issue of the first and third Grant Lee Buffalo albums, has given me a chance to look back on this band.
When I first heard Fuzzy (9.3) I thought it was one of the best albums I had ever heard. It got quite a lot of attention at the time too and there was a lot of talk about it's 'cinematic' sound. The mix of acoustic and electric guitars and Grant's style of vocals which made him sound like he was narrating a state of the nation address made the record sound unique. It still sounds great now and has aged really well, the mix of angry political songs and touching balladry is just as appropriate as it ever was.
Their second album, which strangely has not been included in the re-issue series, Mighty Joe Moon (9.6) was even better but got less attention from critics. It is a kind of concept album about the state of the USA at the time (1994) with topics such as the Waco siege and the death of Kurt Cobain. It is also a beautiful, heartfelt album and the sound of a band at the top of their game. It is timeless and if you have never heard this record, you should go out and buy it now. 'Mockingbirds' remains one of TracksandGigs' favourite songs of all time.
If they were ever going to make it big, MJM would have been the time, but it never happened. Grant Lee Buffalo were in many ways a band out of time. It would be interesting to see how they would have done now, at a time when a band like Arcade Fire have made it so big on the back of word of mouth. Their next album Copperopolis (8.7) veered into more traditional alt.rock territory, moving away from the cinematic sound. It still had some wonderful moments but was a sign that GLB could not quite keep to the amazing standards they had set themselves. After that, the end was in sight. Paul Kimble left and the final album Jubilee (7.9) was made under strict record company instructions to find a radio-friendly hit single. They found several candidates including the catchy 'Truly Truly' but typically radio was not interested and the group disbanded.
Grant Lee Phillips' solo career has been patchy. After a beautiful acoustic EP Ladies Love Oracle (8.8), the first album proper Mobilize (7.5) suffered from the lack of a band, Grant played all the instruments himself and there was a synthetic sound to the record that didn't suit his voice. The critically acclaimed Virginia Creeper was a step into alt.country territory and it delighed fans of that genre but it had no edge or passion, to these ears anyway, hence (4.5).
The latest LP Strangelet (8.0) is a very nice album indeed. The passion and anger of the past are gone but the songs remain strong and the album is extremely listenable.
Incidentally, Tracksandgigs saw Grant Lee Phillips play live at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2002 and a wonderful show it was too. Grant is a fine performer and always puts on a good show whether solo or with a band......which is why TracksandGigs is so disappointed that Grant's Dingwalls show in August sold out before I managed to get a ticket!
When I first heard Fuzzy (9.3) I thought it was one of the best albums I had ever heard. It got quite a lot of attention at the time too and there was a lot of talk about it's 'cinematic' sound. The mix of acoustic and electric guitars and Grant's style of vocals which made him sound like he was narrating a state of the nation address made the record sound unique. It still sounds great now and has aged really well, the mix of angry political songs and touching balladry is just as appropriate as it ever was.
Their second album, which strangely has not been included in the re-issue series, Mighty Joe Moon (9.6) was even better but got less attention from critics. It is a kind of concept album about the state of the USA at the time (1994) with topics such as the Waco siege and the death of Kurt Cobain. It is also a beautiful, heartfelt album and the sound of a band at the top of their game. It is timeless and if you have never heard this record, you should go out and buy it now. 'Mockingbirds' remains one of TracksandGigs' favourite songs of all time.
If they were ever going to make it big, MJM would have been the time, but it never happened. Grant Lee Buffalo were in many ways a band out of time. It would be interesting to see how they would have done now, at a time when a band like Arcade Fire have made it so big on the back of word of mouth. Their next album Copperopolis (8.7) veered into more traditional alt.rock territory, moving away from the cinematic sound. It still had some wonderful moments but was a sign that GLB could not quite keep to the amazing standards they had set themselves. After that, the end was in sight. Paul Kimble left and the final album Jubilee (7.9) was made under strict record company instructions to find a radio-friendly hit single. They found several candidates including the catchy 'Truly Truly' but typically radio was not interested and the group disbanded.
Grant Lee Phillips' solo career has been patchy. After a beautiful acoustic EP Ladies Love Oracle (8.8), the first album proper Mobilize (7.5) suffered from the lack of a band, Grant played all the instruments himself and there was a synthetic sound to the record that didn't suit his voice. The critically acclaimed Virginia Creeper was a step into alt.country territory and it delighed fans of that genre but it had no edge or passion, to these ears anyway, hence (4.5).
The latest LP Strangelet (8.0) is a very nice album indeed. The passion and anger of the past are gone but the songs remain strong and the album is extremely listenable.
Incidentally, Tracksandgigs saw Grant Lee Phillips play live at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2002 and a wonderful show it was too. Grant is a fine performer and always puts on a good show whether solo or with a band......which is why TracksandGigs is so disappointed that Grant's Dingwalls show in August sold out before I managed to get a ticket!
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