Review: Jack Grace's 'Everything Thing I Say is a Lie'

After nearly two decades in the business, singer-songwriter Jack Grace decided it was time for a comeback. Spending more time on the road than off can be draining, especially in an era so unappreciative of independent artists. Grace’s latest album, Everything I Say is a Lie, has been in the works since 2014 and will finally be released on April 28. An inspired combination of Americana and bluegrass — and a healthy dose of satire — make this an unforgettable record.

In many ways, Jack Grace sounds like a much less gaudy version of Father John Misty (also known as Josh Tillman). That sort of cynical storyteller style, when combined with gentle acoustic melodies, is so subtle on some tracks that it almost goes unnoticed. Some songs, however, are more direct in their attempt at snarky humor. “Kanye West (I Hear That You’re the Best),” will probably be too wry for mainstream tastes, especially since it pokes fun at some of pop culture’s most iconic figures. The lyrics almost read like a pretentious hipster’s incoherent Twitter rant, but in a slightly less obnoxious way.

Jack Grace claims to have little control over what he writes, comparing these songs to “a feisty dog on a leash, pulling [him] wherever they want to go.” Most of the songs on this record, however, seem far less spontaneous than Grace may perceive. “I Like You” is supposedly about the simple feeling of enjoying one’s company, completely devoid of romantic emotion. It’s a nice sentiment, but when the song opens with the line “No one likes everyone, people can be so much fun,” the cynicism feels forced and tired.  

Everything I Say is a Lie is certainly a unique album that will appeal to a niche crowd. The closing track, “So We Run,” and “Bad Wind Blowing” (which features the lovely Norah Jones) are the record’s most impressive. Instead of relying on the hit-or-miss humor of the rest of the album, these are simple folk songs that tell stories. That is, after all, the purpose of a singer-songwriter.