omehow true fame has managed to elude Grant Lee Phillips in the 11 years he has been releasing albums. Sure, he has a devoted fan base, been able to make a living at making music and has a recurring role on television's Gilmore Girls ; but I can't help but think there could have been more. His albums have been so consistent that he could easily sustain the attention of fans if he only had one hit song to win them over. His latest album, Virginia Creeper, continues that trend.

Phillips first began releasing music with his band, Grant Lee Buffalo, in 1993. That band produced melodic rock/amplified folk that won them many admirers. With his first solo release in 2001, Mobilize, Phillips decided to add electronic blips and beeps as an integral part of his backing band. The experiment weakened the emotion of those songs. Virginia Creeper indicates Phillips may have realized this problem. For the album, Phillips rounded up all the talented friends he has made in the business to back him with a countrified sound that give the songs much more weight. The problem is that while the music is strong, there is little to make it stand out.

The album starts out with the strongest track, ?Mona Lisa,? but by the third track, it is obvious that the songs are not going to change. They are really just a vessel for the lyrics; the music is an afterthought as Phillips presents several characters, treating many of the songs as portraits. The presentation does not make for a very accessible album, but it is rewarding for those who want to sit down with the lyrics and pay close attention. On first listen I thought the album was strong, but once I thought about it, I realized that none of these songs would make me urgently put the album on in a month because I just have to hear it again. It is destined to be pleasant background music, a destiny where the lyrics don't matter.

If Phillips had somehow hit it big with a song off of Mobilize or even one off one of the Grant Lee Buffalo albums, legions of fans would be purchasing Virginia Creeper and be quite satisfied with their purchase. But as it stands, Phillips' devoted fans will be purchasing it and loving it. Lucky for Phillips, there are enough of those fans that he can keep making music.