Mobilize

Grant-Lee Phillips | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B00005LCFW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Aussie edition of the ex-Grant Lee Buffalo frontman's critically acclaimed 2001 solo album. Includes the single, 'Spring Released' & two exclusive (hidden) bonus tracks, 'Hugo's Theme' & 'Sunday Best'. 14 tracks. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully private work, October 23, 2001

By 

Clay Hathorn (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mobilize (Audio CD)

Grant-Lee Phillips's 'Mobilize' continues his career as a tremendously talented and multifaceted musician constantly on the cusp of either artistic achievement or commercial acceptance. It is a work that is both sparse and lush, more so than the last three Grant Lee Buffalo records. Gone are the anthemic signatory rockers (such as Lone Star Song) balanced with the acoustic balladry that characterized GLB albums. Instead, 'Mobilize' is painted with a consistent pallet of guitar or piano songs that are (often) backed with some trippy electronics and that rise with Phillips's soaring vocals. At times I'm convinced Grant-Lee is among the best singers in rock.

As one of a few indie-alt rockers in the 1990s writing songs about issues larger than self-absorbed angst, Phillips, who took on homegrown fanaticism in earlier work, deserves an ear in light of the turbulent turn the world took on September 11, 2001. As if on cue, the grand themes of See American, Humankind and Mobilize alone make this one of the year's more relevant albums.

Yet Phillips often looks inward for his influences, and there are some lovely tunes about love and life here.

Bottom line on 'Mobilize'? Probably too subtle for the indie/rocker crowd, too inventive for commercial success and no real 'break out' songs for further recognition than he garnered with Grant Lee Buffalo. It is, however, the kind of beautifully private record perhaps best enjoyed best alone.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only 500 times over..., November 7, 2002

By 

Erica "e-kitty" (Illinois - United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mobilize (Audio CD)

I first heard Grant-Lee when he was part of Grant-Lee Buffalo. A friend made me a tape of "Mighty Joe Moon" about six years ago. I hadn't really thought about Grant-Lee until I saw the Exile Follies tour with Kristen Hersh, Grant-Lee and John Doe. I was so impressed with Grant-Lee that I had to hear more. I downloaded parts of songs from this album and listened to them over and over. I had to buy the album. So I bought it a week ago and have been listening to nothing else but this since. It's on most of the day at work and then on in the car for four or five songs at a time. I truly love this cd, it's a good thing that it's not on tape or the tape would be worn out already.

There is something really catchy about the songs that make you want to listen to them over and over. They also get stuck in your head and you just have to listen to them! "Spring Released," "Sadness Soot" and "Beautiful Dreamers" are the main ones that I keep singing over and over in my head. "See America" has a wonderful romantic sound to it that makes you want to take a road trip. I thought the lyrics seemed really cool at first, then I read the lyrics in the liner notes and realized that they are even cooler than they sound, they are quite poetic.

If you've never heard Grant-Lee, I've learned that you're missing out. He's definitely up there with my faves - PJ Harvey, Kristen Hersh, Tori and Liz Phair. I will definitely be adding more Grant-Lee Phillips to my collection as I can afford it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another subime album from our best singer/songwriter, September 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mobilize (Audio CD)

R.E.M. fans like myself that were spoiled by the perfect record called "Automatic For the People" and continue to be disappointed by subsequent efforts should find Grant-Lee Philips and rejoice! He is that rare artist who puts out a perfect album ("Mighty Joe Moon") and then doesn't disappoint with the follow-ups. Did "Copperopolis" fall a little short due to its musical consistency? Were there two or three tracks on "Jubilee" that weren't up to the others? Was "Ladies Love Oracle" missing the glorious production found on all GLB records? Yeah, sure. But they are all such fantastic records - so outrageously wonderful that you just don't care to get academic. Well, drop the textbooks - "Mobilize" is a knockout from beginning to end - a worthy companion to "Mighty Joe Moon" and my only reluctance to put them at the same level is my seven years of loving the older record. Give it time. "Mobilize" is its equal. The only thing that puzzles me is why radio stations are not playing "Beautiful Dreamers". Grant has never written a song that sounds as good on a car radio with the top down - not his aspiration, to be sure, but darn if it doesn't have that 'crossover potential". Weird, huh?