Grant-Lee Phillips with Jarrod Dickenson

Many singer/songwriters are considered either strong vocalists who can also write or gifted composers who can sing a bit. Grant-Lee Phillips is an exception, a tunesmith with an impressive command of both lyrics and melody who also possesses an instrument full of expressive character. Phillips’ voice has a smoky, insinuating texture paired with a honeyed smoothness, and his music is concise and graceful, matching the thoughtful romanticism of his verses. Phillips initially earned a reputation as the leader of the group Grant Lee Buffalo, who broke through with their debut album, 1993’s Fuzzy, which documented their blend of impressionistic folk and alternative rock. After going solo, Phillips worked in a style that recalled Grant Lee Buffalo but with simpler, acoustic arrangements and an atmospheric but more intimate tone, with 2001’s Mobilize, 2009’s Little Moon, and 2022’s All That You Can Dream as standouts. His new album, All That You Can Dream is wonderfully understated chamber-folk shaped by his weary yet graceful voice and insightful songs. Intensely personal and thoroughly relatable at once, the album avoids grand gestures in documenting a time of relentless change.