Grant-Lee Phillips Virginia Creeper
Released: February 24, 2004 Origination Year: 2004 Time: 48:08 Tracks: 11 Produced by: Grant-Lee Phillips Style: Studio Format: CD Enhancement: None Website: www.grantleephillips.com

The folk scene has become many things over the decades. With Woody Guthrie’s Americana Dustbowl style to Bob Dylan’s NYC/Greenwich Village approach, from Springsteen’s Jersey hybrid of rock and folk and Steve Forbert’s honest crafting and finally onto the 90s/00s brand of rocked up folk from Jeff Buckley and John Mayer, Folk/Rock has been an important aspect of music.

It has a unique ability to convey socio-political thought outside the realm of harshness that exudes from straight rock. Its musical overtones are more palatable to a larger group of people than any one genre of rock can be. As often as folk/rock provides forums, however, it is unfair to state that that is all it is capable of doing. It can apply the same intensities to romanticism and to expression of emotion. Mix all this up with a twist of country and Americana is born.

Grant-Lee Phillips, who has humble beginnings in the genre, created an endearing band known as Grant Lee Buffalo. Their capacity for excellent music is well received and revered. With Grant-Lee Phillips, this foray into the depths of singular folk rock is a welcome project.

Phillips’ approach to the romantic side of folk/rock is well met with the opening track, “Mona Lisa.” In this heart-melting tune run through with a mournful violin and acoustical guitar, the song reveals a story of triumph and sadness in the same moment. It’s a sense of having held and having been deprived and always knowing that moment would arrive. The triumph is in the having held.

In “Waking Memory”, the soft evocations of mourning are still there. The story is slightly changed but the mood is still there. And there’s a comfort in this country-flavoured song that’s strengthened by the same acceptance that weaves throughout the album’s songs.

“Always Friends” is a song of deeper relationships that extend from casual acquaintances, like Dylan’s “I’ll Remember You”, where a singular meeting can be so full of impact as to be forever remembered.

The bonus of a cover of a Gram Parsons song, “Hickory Wind”, becomes a Nashville-infused song that benefits from Phillips’ delivery and melancholy. It is definitely in keeping with the passion of Parsons.

The spirit of Virginia Creeper is full of tight corners of sadness as if it were a southern mansion constructed on failed hope. But light does seep into his mansion because, lyrically, this album is anchored in acceptance of loss, making the loss become more of a value than the original situation.

Whether dealing with time, life, or relationships, Grant-Lee Phillips’ latest album is one of haunting beauty and deep thought. With the accompanying sounds of the soul, the album comes to life in ways that only a few can accomplish.

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