What Are You Listening To?

[Ruby]

GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS - The Narrows (released 18 March 2016)

This is Grant-Lee Phillips' first album since moving to Nashville from California. He’s right at home investigating his history which is a theme that runs through his other releases, reflecting, and singing it out, but not in an aggressive, angst ridden or blame-laying way; it’s more of a retrospective documentary affair (or at least that’s how it feels to me). This is a highly intelligent singer/songwriter and musician who has consistently produced quality work right through from the Grant-Lee Buffalo days, and who has undoubtedly paid his troubadour dues. Apparently, he’s a great entertainer and has a knack for making people laugh; unfortunately, it seems his multiple talents are largely under-appreciated.

On this release, he once again faithfully pursues his own ideals and steadfastly follows an obvious vision, paying homage to his personal roots and to the greater landscape through which his life has been woven. Using a thoroughly contemporary medium and style, he has produced a comfortable, competent, earthy and assured album of the mostly Americana and alternative folk persuasion. There’s also a large dollop of country making an appearance (purists will disagree, I’m sure), which usually isn’t my thang – gonna have to have myself another spin or two to see whether or not it all takes root. That said, whether or not I will fully embrace this particular album is purely down to a question of my own taste, not a critique of the value of the work, and I will continue to make an effort to hear anything new he releases because I find both the character, and his music, compelling and unique; nothing less than a joy in this world full of mashup and beatz clones! Go Grant- Lee!

The immediate standout, for its lyric content, subject matter and sound is “Cry, Cry”. Phillips is of Cree ancestry on his mother’s side and both Blackfoot and Cherokee paternally, and he is a direct descendant of those who walked the Trail of Tears, which is what is referenced in this song.

[video=youtube;_Ju3isMwv4s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ju3isMwv4s[/video]