Grant Lee Buffalo – Copperopolis
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Posted On July 1, 1996
I took me six or seven listens to get there, but there is plenty to recommend about Grant Lee Buffalo’s third album. More melodic but much less rocking than its predecessors, Copperopolis finds the band digging deep and taking some chances in its best moments. But the listener has to dig a bit, too — unlike their last remarkable release Mighty Joe Moon, this one doesn’t reach out with the wallop of “Lone Star Song” or the irresistible hook of “Mockingbirds”.
Songwriter Grant Lee Phillips is still exploring some of his favorite themes here — America in transition, emotional upheaval, identity and outsiders. But he doesn’t beat you over the head with it. It’s all a little vague and pastoral, and the sound is lush and more beautiful than ever.
Some of the songs are downright gorgeous, “Arousing Thunder” and the finale “The Only Way Down” in particular. “Crackdown” is the catchiest song you’re apt to hear about a militia standoff. And the centerpiece of the record, “Bethlehem Steel”, explores the fading blue-collar dream with unusual sympathy and dignity. Without a hint of preachiness, the song builds to a remarkable emotional and musical crescendo. It is stunning and arguably worth the entry fee by itself. Unfortunately, it’s followed by a morose number “All That I Have”. Similarly, the terrific mid-tempo opener “Homespun” is followed by the somewhat tedious “The Bridge”. Such pacing prevents the record from ever really taking off.
But the sounds on Copperopolis are rich and ambitious, and the compositions are strong. GLB’s virtuoso power-trio lineup is augmented here with pedal steel, strings, keyboards and horns, all tastefully and with good results.
A part of me admires an band that resists the temptation to play into the “new rock radio” formula and puts out something this intricate and unabashedly beautiful. At its best, it recalls Roxy Music and Abbey Road. But given this band’s versatility — live, Phillips, drummer Joey Peters and bassist Paul Kimble can be remarkably ferocious and tuneful at the same time — I’m still left hoping for a little more muscle.
