Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
1993
Album Summary
Fuzzy is the debut studio album by American rock band Grant Lee Buffalo, released in 1993 by Slash Records. According to the band's website, "Fuzzy would galvanize the sound of Grant Lee Buffalo, i.e., the acoustic feedback howl of overdriven 12-string guitars, melodic distorto-bass, tribal drum bombast, the old world churn of pump organs and parlor pianos."R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe praised Fuzzy as "the best album of the year hands down".
Wikipedia“Fuzzy” by Grant Lee Buffalo (1993) Never heard of this album or this group. Some innovative instrumentation, but the drums and bass lack the creativity that is evident in guitar and keyboards. Virtually no lead guitar, nearly all acoustic strumming, done competently enough, but it’s monotonous by the end of the album. Melodies are uninspired, necessitated by Lee’s limited vocal range. The lyrics on this album are needlessly opaque. The only interesting cut is the 17-verse “Dixie Drug Store” which tells a coherent story with a not entirely unpredictable twist. But it lacks soul. This entire album barely skims the surface of emotion. We could all pass on this one. 1/5
Meh. This album was alright, but nothing special for me. I would probably listen to it again, but wouldn't recognize the artist as distinctive. I'm not sure if that makes it 2 or 3 stars, but I'll default to 3.
Fuzzy is a perfectly serviceable album, very much of its time with its distinctive early 90s alt.rock vibe and sound. I found it enjoyable enough, but it didn't blow me away.
Didn’t make a big impression. Nothing in the lyrics really grabbed me, most of the singing wasn’t very strong, and the music was fine, but not as interesting as the reviews would have led me to believe.
Nice enough music, don't really get what makes it a "1001" album though. 5/10
I was hoping this would be more than just your standard 90s alt/indie rock. There are occasional glimmers with the ragtime piano on the first and 8th track and some interesting 12-string guitar sounds, but that's about it. Not saying it's bad, but just a bit too safe to stand out.
This was not what I expected. The name made me think it'd be way more country than it was.... In the end it was really solid alternative rock with warm, driving, bounding bass and drums, unreal guitar tones, great piano interludes and an engaging vocal performance. The opener is a belter of an opening track for an album, and leads into a soft spoken tune with chorusey acoustic guitar at the opposite end of the spectrum... It was really good
I really liked this. Interesting sound, sort of alt-country meets Radiohead. Excellent songwriting. 4 stars.
The album name, cover and everything made me think this was going to be another boring country album, and then that first song hit me with Puzzle Plank Galaxy from hell and I'm like "wait, this might actually be good". And good it was. I had no idea "gay melodramatic alt-country music" was a genre, but turns out I'm a fan. Makes me want to put on black mascara and watch my fuckin' carrots grow, pardner.
- distinctive strong sound. kinda sad this is the first time I've come across it. - Like a mature Killers - So glad to have this suggested.
Love almost the entire album! Really clear sound, all of the elements of the music fit perfectly, original topics for the lyrics (at least in many of the songs).
Jupiter and Teardrop is one of the best songs ever. This is such a gem of an album.
Grande Trovador! Album maravilhoso! Amei demais! Melhores músicas: Jupiter and Teardrop, Fuzzy e The Hook
What you get when you order Bruce Springsteen from a 1910 Sears Catalog.
I didn’t expect it but the album has everything I enjoy and will easily become one of my all time favourites. Grungy 90s vocals, folky tunes, Americana and just a right amount of politics make this a perfect combination of 90s alternative. I love it! Also I feel like there’s not a single filler on it - each song has something that draws me further into them. Hard to pick a favourite track!
It took me a bit to warm up, but warm up I did! This was new music and a new band to me (although I realized I'd seen Grant-Lee Phillips as the troubadour on "Gilmore Girls"). I really liked the acoustic alternative sound. I'd be happy to listen to more!
only vaguely had heard of the band. loved the album, right up my alley
Potentially a great album. Need to listen some more though.... fuzzy intro is very some might say!
Very pleasant. Very interesting. Beautiful voice. Nice compositions. Just tired me a wee bit towards the end. 7/10
I qquite enjoyed this album. I was initially sceptical but am now a convert
Kein Begriff von diesem Grant Lee Buffalo gehabt; kommt schmissig und locker aus der Umkleide, spielt ein geradlinigen Ball, mit viel Druck und wenig Spirenzchen. Ein schönes Spiel, robust aber immer sauber. Class of 93 wusste noch, worauf es ankam. Das Album wirkt auf mich zudem wie die Blaupause zum Stilgepräge, wonach Jonathan Franzen die Figur des Richard Katz („Freedom“) zusammenbaute. Irgendwie altbacken, grobschrötig und doch mit der psychologischen Sensibilität eines Kindes jener Zeit beschlagen. Handwerklich sehr gut, teils virtuos, ironiefreie Haltung, persönlich, und ja sorry fürs Wort: glaubwürdig. Crafty 3.8
Alternative rock with a great sense of melody. A catchy album which is also a relevant indie rock effort.
Música country / pop con toques Folk. Entona bien. Tiene un toque British pop.
Ended up enjoying this album far more than I expected. Had never heard of Grant Lee Buffalo, but may start listening to his music regularly.
Nice! Enjoyable rock and Americana. Better than The Band? Not sure. Favorite was Dixie Drug Store.
Solid album. I like the vocals. This is one of those 90s alternative bands that flew under the radar. Quite a nice find.
Best way to describe it is Robyn Hitchcock meets Neil Young and Mazzy Star
Some really nice moments and slick transitions. A lot of tolerable repetition between those.
Had "Mighty Joe Moon" back in the day but never really listened to any of their other albums. Like their sound. Sort of like Jangle Pop with a little more punch.
I had never heard of this band before and I am really digging this record. I'm surprised I'm connecting with it so much as I usually don't with this kind of rock but it's a great indie/alt album.
Meilleur album de cowboys qu'on ait eu jusqu'à présent Prefs: The Shining Hour, Fuzzy, Dixie Drug Store, America Snoring, Grace Moins pref: Stars'n'Stripes
Really good, classic of the genre and if it's good enough for Michael Stipe, its' good enough for me. "America Snoring" is standout track to me, but love the overall feel and mood of the record. My total sweet spot -- both in style and timing -- early ;90s but I didn't give them enough time back in the day. I almost certainly would have seen them open for someone but can't recall. They deserved more recognition for sure.
Hørte ikke godr nok efter. Men umiddelbart kunne det godt være udemærket. Men skal lyttes igen Mellem 3 og 4
Olipa kiva yllätys, tykkään. Varsinkin alkupuoli erittäin jees ja pari oikein kaunista biisiä. Vähän kuin jenkkiversio Kentistä, eli konstailematonta ysärin alt rockia. Loppupuoli oli vähän meh ja meni ehkä välillä turhaksi indiekikkailuksi. Sanoisin silti tasan 3.5/5 ja pyöristellään taas ylöspäin.
Early 90s raw rock. This would equal the early indie scene while grunge was pushing hair metal to the side.
4.0 - Any of these songs would’ve been absolutely PERFECT as filler for a mix CD you gave to your crush back in ’93. It’s actually a solid record - very in the middle of a lot of different sounds from that era. "Jupiter And Teardrop" is a terrific archetypal 90s acoustic/electric love ballad. I like the way "Stars N' Stripes" trails off moodily at the end. "Dixie Drug Store" tells a fun story - very rom-comesque. "America Snoring" and "Grace" showcase some generic political coffeehouse musings. Lots of heart, lots of charm.
This has always been a band I've had in the back of my head as something I should listen to and like. Here I am listening to them and liking. Enjoyably dramatic 90s rock. Vocals stand out, for sure. Gives me Jeff Buckley vibes? I'll probably go back to not listening to them, but thinking, "Ya know...I oughta."
This was an unexpected gem, a high quality, well assembled collection of alt country songs, perfect for a road trip or quiet nights in the evening. Really enjoyable.
Debut album from the Los Angeles trio. Some describe their music as a type of alt-country; I would put them firmly in the rock category. Their best songs tend to have soaring guitars and vocals building towards guitar solos in an almost epic and anthem-like style. And, there is no doubt Grant Lee Phillips has a great rock voice. I'd say they do the soft-loud-soft-loud dynamic but different than Emo or The Smashing Pumpkins. I read a comparison to Neil Young which I see especially with the mid-song guitar solos and the subjects he covers: environment, abortion, racial issues and broken dreams. There a number of very good songs on this album. "Jupiter and Teardrop" is good example of the soaring guitar and vocals towards guitar solos. "Wising You Well" is very dramatic and builds which this band seems well apt to excel at. "America Snoring" is a commentary of the USA circa 1993 and maybe the centerpiece of the album commenting on abortion and race riots in LA. This is the first Grant Lee Buffalo album I've dug into; well, I've been missing out. A definite keeper and makes me want check out their other albums, most of which appear to be worth doing.
Very pleasant alt-country. Clear influence on Father John Misty. Will listen again.
Fuzzy is an accurate descriptor of this album. It is warm in the cold. A big heavy blanket. Maybe a tad too heavy though.
Warm and appropriately "fuzzy" Americana rock. Nothing here blew my mind or anything, but it was a very solid listen I see myself coming back to.
What a gem — such a solid alt-rock album with a mix of styles on it. I’ve listened to it twice through on long-ish drives and really enjoyed it. It’s great highway music. He’s a great singer too. He sounds like Father John Misty on a few tracks. The opening notes of “Jupiter and Teardrop” sound so much like David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” It has to be a direct reference / deliberate fake-out. I got a kick out of that. My favorite songs so far: “The Shining Hour,” “Jupiter and Teardrop,” “Fuzzy,” “Stars n’ Stripes,” “Dixie Drug Store”
90s nostalgia trip, loved it then, still got it now. Fuzzy is a great groove.
I liked this! As someone else on this site noted, some of it is a bit like an acoustic Pixies, some more folky. I think it might need a few listens to get the hang of it, but there’s lots here to like.
This is gorgeous. Lush, wild, romantic, gothic. More than a whiff of the Buckley's about it.
7,6 Nice sounding instrumentals Bit slow in the middle, but makes up for it at the end
Too expressive for a convenient background listening. But still good energetic performance. A discovery to me…29 years later finally.
You know what, quite enjoyable. Almost bland on first listen but had some high points on the second. Something I'll listen to again just to be sure. Soft rock rhythm, upbeat. It sounds as if the album was very influential on noughties US indie and UK musicians such as badly drawn boy, iamkloot and the like. Perfectly nice.
I feel like I may have heard Grant Lee Buffalo a handful of times as a teenager and blown it off. I was mightily impressed to hear it with a more mature outlook. The vocals were slightly reminiscent of Bowie and I think it is a very rich and unapologetic album that stands pretty tall. I gave it two listens, because I am always intrigued with artists that I truly hear for the first time and genuinely like! This sounds authentic and technically pleasing.
Whoa, really liked this one! It's rock, feels like it's got a tinge of Americana to it, but the melodies and vocal performances are just so full of life and excitement, it's such a nice departure from what we've had lately. It's weird, I can't really point to any one thing that's fantastic on here, but it's all just done really well. Very crisp and engaging instrumentals, great vocals, just really good stuff. I'm always leery of artists I've never even heard of appearing on a list like this, but damn, this was worth the inclusion for sure. Favorite tracks: The Shining Hour, Wish You Well, The Hook, Dixie Drug Store, America Snoring. Album art: Just a guy, low-res guy even. Not at all suggestive of how good the music is, extremely unassuming. I can't say I like this cover, but I like what it's hiding. 4.5/5
This is the kind of stuff I came here for... bands I really should know, but don't. I liked this quite a bit. Sounds very 90's when listening to it for the first time now, but there were some really beautiful melodies and just all around good songs here.
This got a lot of buzz when it was first released, and I do believe it was high up on my list of best of 1993. Looking back, it deserved its slot on that list. Very good songs, lots of Americana influences and great vocals by Grant Lee Phillips helped carve out a niche at a time of grunge dominance. A lot of highlights, but Soft Wolf Tread and Dixie Drug Store stand out.
I liked it. Early alt country. A sign of what would take over ten years later with Wilco and Ryan Adams making their way into the mainstream. A little one note, but there are some stand out tracks - Dixie Drug Store in particular.
Why is this marked as Country and that's all? There's a lot more going on here than that. This was pretty good otherwise. The starting songs were easily the best of the album, with some more good songs peppered throughout, but still pretty solid, was expecting to dislike this more than I did, though. It has this feeling of "meh" resonating from it.
It took a few iterations through the album before it took a hold, but i like the overall style and tone. Certainly very 80's/90's alternative... a good balance of interesting lyrics and instrumentation. Songs like Fuzzy and The Hook are really strong, but there's lots of treats along the way.