Grant Lee Buffalo
Fuzzy

THE REVIEW

Released in 1993, "Fuzzy" remains the creative peak of the Grant Lee Buffalo discography. A record inspired by melancholic and dreamy tones, a skillful blend of rock blues tinged with pop. Dreamlike atmospheres contrast with electric bursts in a kaleidoscopic whirlwind of sounds and colors; that come out of the player as soon as you press the play button, in a sound cascade that leaves you speechless.

The album opens with "The Shining Hour", a beautiful and exciting rock song imbued with blues to the core, played with fervor and passion by the band, with Phillips's voice standing out against the sonic wall they create. Quite different is "Jupiter And Teardrop", entirely played on the contrast between vast spaces open to melody and electric moments full of tension, for what remains one of the most moving tracks on the entire CD. "Fuzzy" is a splendid acoustic watercolor, featuring finger-tip played drumming and the leader's falsetto as its strong point. Chilling is the overlap of the voice with the guitar solo at the end of the song. Another successful mix between the most intimate atmospheres and the typically rock attitude of the trio is "Wish You Well", which captures and engages from the first listen. A singer-songwriter attitude is instead the absolute protagonist in the following "The Hook", a clear folk song played with passion and delicacy and again with the voice in the foreground. A voice that transports to dreamlike and dreamy territories, lulling the listener with its crystalline purity. "Soft Wolf Tread" starts quietly before diving into the depths of rock as only Grant Lee Buffalo can do.

"Star n' Stripes" resumes the delicate and melancholic tones so dear to the band, thanks to a simply delightful acoustic guitar played, in this case, with the slide, making the sound even more bluesy. Delicately pop is "Dixie Drug Store", introduced by a beautiful piano and with the returning falsetto taking center stage. As always, Peters' drumming is varied and never overly redundant, fitting well into the trio's sonic framework. "American Snoring" is captivating, bringing the band back to the coordinates of the rock ballad and seeing them perform at their best with a guitar that indulges in the wildest improvisation in a vortex of sounds that captures and never lets go. "Grace" faintly recalls some of the best work by Oasis, reaching stellar levels thanks to a simple yet irresistibly groovy guitar riff and the voice which, as always, stands out for its versatility and expressiveness.

The album concludes beautifully with "You Just Have To Be Crazy", an acoustic melting pot rich in suggestions and emotions, capable of moving even the hardest of hearts. Eleven rare gems that make up one of the most beautiful albums released during the nineties. A worthy testament to the talent and compositional abilities of a band unique in its kind. Three musicians who, with modesty and talent, made us dance, sing, and feel. Absolutely a must-have!