Grant-Lee Phillips first came onto the radar as the frontman for ‘90s alt-rockers Grant Lee Buffalo. But by 2000 he'd ventured down a solo troubadour path. The moody musical landscapes he'd crafted in his band days worked perfectly with his singer/songwriter shift, whether adapted to earthy, acoustic guitar settings full of rootsy resonance or to more modernistic modes adorned with atmospheric electronics. No matter how he clothes his compositions, the West Coast balladeer brings an arresting, idiosyncratic blend of natural imagery and intense emotion to every song.