Grant-Lee Phillips is frequently called one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation. He first found fame with several critically-acclaimed albums as frontman for the group Grant Lee Buffalo.
With so much talent, his recent choice to release a collection of covers might seem a bit unusual. A few tracks into nineteeneighties, however, it is easy to hear that Phillips approaches these songs with as much love, insight, and enthusiasm as if he had written them himself.
And, essentially, that is what this album is: Phillips assembling the ultimate mixed tape from 20s, but sung with his own voice.
The album covers-by and large-lesser known tracks from legendary bands. With the exception of The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry," tracks like R.E.M.'s "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" or Nick Cave's "City of Refuge" probably will not immediately spring to mind as defining tracks of the decade that featured Madonna and Cyndi Lauper.
Nevertheless, Phillips interpretation shows why these songs have remained on the mind of musical connoisseurs. Every track is stripped down to its bare bones, featuring acoustic guitar and the singer's rich, haunting voice.
In many cases, including The Cure cover, the tempo has been slowed down significantly. The result is a series of introspective, reverential tributes to a group of musicians who obviously contributed to Phillips' own musical identity.
If the album has a downside, it is that a handful of tracks are slightly too faithful to the originals. The Cave cover, for example, retains an arrangement close to the original, which unfortunately makes the listener aware that Cave's dark baritone voice is missing.
Overall, though, Phillips has created a fun, nostalgic study of his musical predecessors. Through sensitivity and a wealth of musical craftsmanship, he reminds listeners that there was more to this infamous decade than bad hair and skinny ties.
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