Jubilee
A far cry from the cultish, soft-focus Americana of their first three records,Jubileeis this Los Angeles band's stomp-heavy three-ring circus. "APB" is the telling title of the first track, on which Grant Lee Buffalo plainly state that they are journeying into a more immediately gratifying unknown. The loss of bassist Paul Kimble permeates the sepia-toned guitars and ultra-tight rhythm section with an edge of electric hunger and immediate urgency. It serves singer Grant Lee Phillips and drummer Joey Peters well, from the hazy country psychedelia of "SuperSloMotion" to the open-armed sultriness of "Come to Mama, She Say." Rocking yet ethereal, surreal yet visceral,Jubileecontinues the band's tradition of off-the-beaten-track sounds, only now everyone--including E of the Eels, a harmonica-wielding Robyn Hitchcock, and Michael Stipe--is invited to the party.--Sara Scribner