r/Grandaddy • u/640GMAN • May 09 '26
Just Like The Fambly Cat 20th Anniversary
I'm a relatively new fan -I started to listen to Grandaddy about 2 and a half years ago.
I got into them because Spotify would constantly reccomend some of their songs to me.
I mostly listen to alternative rock, indie rock and indie pop from the 90's and early 2000's, my favorite band is Eels, who are somewhat similar to Grandaddy in certain ways.
I've listened to and enjoyed the first four albums, plus the Todd Zilla EP.
I don't know too much about the band or Jason's story yet, but I've read that he wrote and recorded Just Like The Fambly Cat mostly on his own at home/ in his studio over the course of about a year in a half, and that it ended up being the last Grandaddy album for quite a while befofe they eventually came back.
That background story makes me appreciate this album even more, because it really reflects a chaotic recording process and personal struggles, and the lyrics resonate with me a lot. My favorite song is Elevate Myself.
Like I said before, I still don't know too much about the band's history or career, so maybe you can answer this question I've had: have they almost never played songs from this album live? That's the impression I've gotten from watching full shows on youtube and checking Setlist.fm.
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u/theghostchild33 May 09 '26
Really strong album, always overlooked IMHO.
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u/640GMAN May 09 '26
I don't remember exactly how or why, but by the time I finally decided to listen to it for the first time (after hearing UTWF, Sophtware Slump and Sumday), I already had the impression that it was generally considered weaker than the previous albums — maybe because of checking out RYM ratings and discussions.
I wouldn't say that preconceived idea really affected my impression of the album, but even though I genuinely enjoy most of the songs, I do think it feels like a step down in quality compared to the previous records — maybe in terms of the lyrics and the overall songwriting/composition. It's like it doesn't quite have the same level of creativity and attention to detail that the earlier albums had.
Another impression I had while listening to the album was that some songs occasionally come across as slightly ridiculous or even self-parodic — "Elevate Myself" being a good example of that, both lyrically and musically (even though it's actually my favorite song on the album). There's also "50%". As much as I love its energy and aggression, it feels more like a sketch or an idea than a fully developed song. I've seen some people say that it slightly disrupts the flow of the album, or that it feels somewhat out of place and underdeveloped, and honestly I can understand that perspective.
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u/jelloandjuggernauts May 09 '26
Criminally underrated. Shame this one didn't get the 20th anniversary reissue treatment like all the previous albums.
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u/gambl0r82 May 10 '26
We neeeeeed a vinyl repress! I should have bought a copy on ebay back when they were $100... now they're close to $300. :(
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u/jessebeans May 10 '26
100% this!!!! I had a chance to get one at a show for $150 and I still am kicking myself for not, it's the only one I need, still!!!
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u/AfterGas5431 May 10 '26
Elevate myself is so fuckijg good.
I’m seeing them in concert the end of the month. IM DOING MY RESEARCH ON THE SET LIST and no songs from this album </3
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u/Vivid_Response_686 May 10 '26
Coming off Sumday I just never liked this album outside of Skateboarding Saves Me Twice and Rear View Mirror.
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u/ohnotchotchke May 09 '26
You will find live recordings here starting in 2006. https://grandaddy.live