Grant-Lee Phillips – In the Hour of Dust
There was a time in the mid-to-late 1970s when I wasn’t as into the punk scene as I was with new wave & alternative roots-type music. I was gravitating towards singer-songwriters heavy on melodies. I liked Squeeze, some Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Robyn Hitchcock, Russ Tolman, & then some wonderfully tuneful 1990s bands followed — like Grant-Lee Buffalo. And that brings me to this artist, Grant-Lee Phillips, who was the founder of that unit. Out of Stockton, CA, Grant-Lee is a multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter who found the right notes to create compelling music.
I didn’t realize I’d tapped into Mr. Phillips earlier when I acquired LPs by the band Shiva Burlesque. It seems these gatherings always produced music that had an ear-tugging effect. The lyrics were interesting, the music was arranged with care, & the vocals had anxiety, aggression & authority that the punk bands overindulged in. Too much salt in the soup. Mr. Phillips (vocals/acoustic, electric & Baritone guitars/keys/piano/bass), while not Lennon-McCartney, or as sweet & mainstream as Difford-Tilbrook, was never as angry as Graham Parker.
Songs on this collection were self-produced in Nashville for In the Hour of Dust (Drops Sept 5/Yep Roc Records/46:44) & harken back to that earlier era of melody, clever lyrics & stories. “Little Men,” “Closer Tonight,” & “Bullies.” Immediately appealing. This 11-track album is pensive & cruises through with some nostalgic tints with “Stories We Tell.” It could’ve been where The Beatles may have gone in 2025.
Phillips usually keeps his repertoire even keel. No bombastic take-offs or weird Syd Barrett tendencies. “She Knows Me” comes across with the depth of expression often found in songs by Chris Rea. Grant’s voice isn’t a powerful singer like Jim Morrison (The Doors), folky like John Prine, or roughhewn in spots like Bob Mould. He has material that projects in an original, achingly beautiful sense. He doesn’t sing in melancholy tones that would tread into the gardens of Nick Drake & John Martyn.
Grant-Lee Phillips has an effective signature sound. It’s not rooted heavily in the blues, rock n’ roll, or even folk. It’s a balladeer, troubadour, singer-songwriter with tributaries that may even reach out as far as Hoagy Carmichael. Bottomline: Impressive album with good pensive continuity & pacing.
Highlights – “Little Men,” “Closer Tonight,” “Bullies,” “Stories We Tell,” “She Knows Me,” “No Mistaking,” “Dark Ages,” “American Lions,” & “Last Corner of the Earth.”
Musicians – Jay Bellerose (drums/percussion), Jennifer Condos (bass), & Patrick Warren (grand & upright pianos/keys).
B&W image courtesy of Denise Siegel-Phillips. A 12pp stitched lyric insert included. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.grantleephillips.com/
