Search - Grant-Lee Phillips :: Strangelet

Strangelet
Grant-Lee Phillips
Strangelet
Genres: Country, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Once the vision and voice behind the critically acclaimed alternative band Grant Lee Buffalo, Grant-Lee Phillips is now a five-album solo artist with an unpretentious shtick: sweeping melodies, narrative lyrics, and a trul...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Grant-Lee Phillips
Title: Strangelet
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Zoe Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 3/27/2007
Genres: Country, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Singer-Songwriters, Adult Alternative
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 601143110825, 0711297480627, 071129748062

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Once the vision and voice behind the critically acclaimed alternative band Grant Lee Buffalo, Grant-Lee Phillips is now a five-album solo artist with an unpretentious shtick: sweeping melodies, narrative lyrics, and a truly hypnotic vocal style. After garnering success in both movie and television soundtracks and releasing a cover record of songs from the '80s underground, the Californian has made perhaps his most intimate recording yet. Phillips plays nearly every instrument (including ukulele) on a dozen songs that crisscross between anguish and optimism, discord and salvation, but are crafted with the deftness of a poet and the ingenuity of a composer. Those that rise to the top display the commanding influences of his '70s youth, most notably the folksy "Killing a Dead Man," which recalls Zuma-era Neil Young, the country-blues singalong "Hidden Hand," and "Raise the Spirit," a down-and-dirty ditty that rattles the woofers as only Marc Bolan could. Still at the top of his game, Phillips is never one to allow his prolific initiative to sour--a formula that bodes well for record six, and all of us lucky enough to hear it. --Scott Holter

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CD Reviews

I hope he keeps making albums for 50 years because I'll keep
anonymous | 03/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan since the GLB days of "Fuzzy" but I wasn't too impressed with the so-so "nineteeneighties" covers album. But if it bought Grant some more time to work on this stellar album then all is forgiven.



The intimate, quiet songs are the ones I think Grant does best, but there are some good "rock" songs on this album too. I've read a lot of T. Rex/Mark Bolan comparisons for songs like "Johnny Guitar" and "Raise The Spirit" and they're apt. But even so, they have Grant's own distinctive dream-like sound, which is unlike any other artist recording today.



The arrangements on every song on this album are excellent, and a lot fuller and more textured than on "Virginia Creeper" (no knock on that album by the way). "Fountain Of Youth," "Dream In Color," "Killing A Dead Man" and "Same Blue Devils" all sound like they're simple songs, but have a lot more going on upon closer listen. "Hidden Hand" sounds like it could be early 70s John Lennon to my ear.



Each of Grant's solo albums have had a slightly different flavor to them, and this one would be great for a Saturday night with a few close friends. He's still growing and maturing and these songs are beautiful, personal songs that you feel lucky to get to hear. Pick this up as soon as possible - it's excellent!"
GLP's best solo album
Mactavish | 04/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Grant-Lee's best work since the sad demise of the Buffalo. "Mobilize" had some great songs, but having a real drummer makes "Strangelet" stronger and more band-sounding for a basically solo-created CD.

His recent 80's album was worth one listen. Yes, Grant has the best voice in rock, but that doesn't mean he sings "Love My Way" better than Richard (nicotine foghorn) Butler. I'm not sure he'll ever rock or really unleash his voice like on "Mighty Joe Moon", but a few songs early on are louder and almost rock out. So far, the first 3 cuts are very strong. Then 3 separate songs have a T. Rex/Bryan Ferry glam-dream-pop feeling. 1 or 2 songs sound like "Virginia Creeper" out-takes. Anyway, this CD can appeal to fans from all stages of his career. As much as Coldplay made me hate falsetto voices, Grant is THE master of falsetto, and several octaves below too. Sell your copy of "Ladies Love Oracle", this is the real thing."
Raising the Bar
M. White | Northeast - USA | 09/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Grant Lee's continued excellence, in songwriting as well as in performance, keeps moving him closer to wearing the mantle of America's best singer/songwriter. Although not in possession of a great voice, he is a very powerful interpretive singer. As a result, he always pulls you into his songs. Lyrically, he is always creative and poetic. Musically, he is always fresh and surprising. This is another great CD in an ever-increasing catalog of signifcant work from Grant. Although you can hear the influences of T. Rex (Marc Bolan), Bowie, The Beatles, Neil Young, and even a little bit of "X" all over this CD, it still stands up as a unique piece, truly Grant's own. My personal favorites are "Runaway", "Soft Asylum", "Fountain of Youth", "Chain Lightning", "Johnny Guitar", "Hidden Hand", and "Killing A Dead Man". This wonderful CD is a creative blend of 70's Glam Rock, Country Blues, present day Americana, 70's Southern California Stoner Rock, and present day L.A. Folk/Rock. As I mentioned earlier, the picture painted here is uniquely Grant's. Bravo on raising the bar for all singer/songwriters."