HIGHWAY 99 REVIEWS
https://www.iggymagazine.com/jess-grant-dynamite-les-faux-prophetes-dans-knight-mare-on-yelm-street
Jess Grant's New Album, Highway 99, Cruises Through Gutsy Rock and Graceful Reflection
By Jeremy Bregman
Sending us into the weekend, and released at the beginning of last month, Highway 99 is the eighteenth (yes!) independently released studio project from Washington-based veteran singer/songwriter Jess Grant. Assembling a ridiculously talented line-up of session players, from Ben Smith (Heart) to Ryan Waters (Prince), Jess delivers ten wonderfully eclectic rock tunes that aim to provoke and amuse. Let's peel back the layers, shall we?
Pivoting between hard-edged classic rock and softer melodic offerings, Highway 99 is a sonic roller-coaster that navigates both social and personal themes. Tracks like Older Women and Good Dog bring the aforementioned gritty energy to proceedings, while the gentle beauty of others like The Towers and Mama's Lullaby showcase a storyteller at heart.
Influenced by Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, and Joan Jett, to mention just a few, Jess Grant, with Highway 99 in hand, weaves eras and genres into a timeless-sounding record.
Other personal favourites included Good Drugs, She's Different, and the album's standout track, Knight Mare on Yelm Street. But, you know my suggestion these days: don't cherry pick -- take the ride from start to finish.
Jess Grant strikes gold with razor-sharp satire on ‘Knight Mare on Yelm Street’
By Finneas Enright
If satire is the sharpest blade in the songwriter’s arsenal, Jess Grant wields his with precision on ‘Knight Mare on Yelm Street’. Anchored in a groove that nods to the grunge-tinted edges of ’90s Pacific Northwest rock, this standout cut from the album ‘Highway 99’ takes dead aim at cult mysticism with a wink and a snarl.
Grant sets his sights on JZ Knight, the infamous Yelm, WA guru who claims to channel a warrior from antiquity. What could’ve been a passing jab turns into a full-on theatrical takedown- equal parts performance art and protest song. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Grant walks us through a hall of fame (or infamy) of spiritual charlatans, namechecking everyone from L. Ron Hubbard to Joseph Smith, and drawing a surreal through-line of modern-day mystics turned moguls.
But make no mistake: behind the biting humour is a sophisticated grasp of both musicality and message. The production, helmed by Eric Lilavois (working out of Seattle’s London Bridge Studio), wraps the satire in tight, punchy instrumentation- blazing electric guitar from Ryan Waters, Ben Smith’s locked-in drumming, and a bassline courtesy of Andy Stoller that keeps things pulsing with steady conviction.
Lines like “You moved to Yelm and you built your pavilion/ You channelled Ramtha, I was one of your minions” flirt with absurdity while staying grounded in real-world critique. It’s comedy, but it cuts. There’s genuine concern in the satire- how power, illusion, and charisma can spiral into influence over elections, over towns, over lives.
What elevates the track further is Grant’s ability to weave biting commentary with playful energy. There’s a theatrical campiness to his delivery, especially in the chorus- “She’s from Tacoma, used to be a dentist’s wife/ She got religion, now she’s living the high life”- but it never slips into caricature. Instead, Grant leans into character, performing the disillusioned devotee with both mock affection and knowing exhaustion.
‘Knight Mare on Yelm Street’ is one of those rare songs that manages to entertain and unsettle in equal measure. It’s not just funny- it’s necessary. In an age where the line between spiritual enlightenment and grift is increasingly hard to see, Jess Grant isn’t afraid to pull back the curtain.
With this track, and indeed all of ‘Highway 99’, Grant proves he’s not just a storyteller- he’s a truth-teller, and one who doesn’t mind dressing the truth in distortion pedals and dark humour.
Jess Grant Skewers Spiritual Hucksters on Ripping New Single “Knight Mare on Yelm Street”
Seattle’s storied London Bridge Studio crackles again this time with the biting wit of Edmonds, WA, songwriter Jess Grant. Culled from his genre-hopping 18th album Highway 99, “Knight Mare on Yelm Street” roars like a ’90s grunge freight train while lampooning self-proclaimed guru JZ Knight, famous for “channeling” a 35,000-year-old warrior named Ramtha.
Powered by Heart drummer Ben Smith, Tracy Chapman bassist Andy Stoller, and guitar fireworks from Prince sideman Ryan Waters, the track surges with distorted riffs and a thumping rhythm section. Producer Eric Lilavois lets the band breathe, capturing a raw, room-shaking energy reminiscent of early Pearl Jam. Grant’s gritty vocal sneer lands every lyrical jab. He name-checks Joseph Smith and L. Ron Hubbard, placing Knight squarely in the pantheon of profitable prophets.
Yet amid the satire, Grant’s songwriting chops shine; a hook-laden chorus embeds itself like a barbed dart, while a blistering solo scorches the bridge. Fans of Joan Jett, Graham Parker, and classic Pacific Northwest rock will feel right at home. “Knight Mare on Yelm Street” proves that sharp guitars and sharper pens still make the best truth serum.
https://www.obscuresound.com/2025/06/jess-grant-highway-99/
By Mike Mineo
Highway 99 is a stirring new album from Edmonds, WA-based artist Jess Grant, who crafts an array of classic-sounding rock that spans from heartland passion to moodier ruminations. Grant, who began writing songs in the ’70s and released his debut album in 1982, continues to show a penchant for high-quality, heartfelt songwriting throughout Highway 99, which represents his 18th independently released studio project.
Amongst the album’s many standouts, “The Tower” is particularly magnetic for its fusing of twangy guitars and stately piano. The organ-laden “everybody has to take the stairs,” takes strong hold, as does the depictions of a more desolate city setting where nothing’s open — poignant in the context of the track’s inspiration, which Grant notes was “inspired by the time I spent in downtown Seattle during the pandemic.”
Elsewhere, “Good Dog” exudes a more rousing rock spirit. “Come back, and don’t run away,” a vocal beckoning lets out within a range of scorching Americana guitar tones and harmonica touches. A fantastic ode to a dearly departed “good dog” stands as a sturdy highlight, balancing emotional heaviness with rockin’ charisma. “Mrs. Whistle” is another ode to someone beloved — in this case, Grant’s wife. “She’s the one who keeps me out of trouble,” a multi-layered vocal hook emanates amidst harmonious guitar pulses, showcasing a clear adoration for someone who keeps one grounded and loved.
A more biting, raucously production with hints of grunge in its ardent rock production, “Knight Mare on Yelm Street” also immerses in its memorable melodic drive and critique of religious/spiritual exploitation. As Grant describes: “JZ Knight has been “channeling Ramtha” since 1987. Doonesbury spoofed her in the 90s, and everyone living near Yelm WA (near the state capitol of Olympia) knows of her Ramtha School of Enlightenment,” he says. “This song is about her and her place in a long lineage of spiritual hucksters.” Listeners of Highway 99 can anticipate an array of strong songwriting with a variety of themes — from societal commentary to odes to family.
https://rockthepigeon.com/2025/06/15/good-drugs-vs-bad-drugs-jess-grant-breaks-it-down-on-new-track/
Jess Grant is out with a new album called Highway 99, and one of the stand-out tracks is “Good Drugs.” This song immediately caught my attention with its clever, tongue-in-cheek lyric: “If you’re gonna do drugs, only do the good drugs, never do the bad ones, even if they’re fun.” It does raise the question, what counts as a good drug, and what counts as a bad one? Which ones make the cut and which ones need to be cut out?
Grant breaks it down simply: “If you need a needle, if you need a spoon, if it’s gonna leave you dead too soon, it’s a bad drug.” He points to mushrooms,“fungi” as an example of one of the “good drugs,” the ones that might expand your mind rather than wreck your body. (Please proceed with caution though because mushrooms do not react well with every body chemistry.) “It’s a good drug when you wake up somewhere that you know.” The lyric is both sobering and dryly funny, giving the track a unique mix of vulnerability and grit.
Musically, “Good Drugs” leans into a classic rock sound, driven by ballad-style piano chords that shine brightly across the track. There’s a melancholic edge to Grant’s vocal delivery, you can really hear the ache in his voice as he reflects on the damage drugs and alcohol have caused in his own life, and in the lives of people he loves. It’s honest and heavy, but there’s also care woven into it.
“This song explores the ambiguity of the word DRUG. I’ve lost friends from overdoses, I’ve gotten physical relief from pharmaceuticals, and I’ve had glimpses of the Divine on mushrooms. Ambiguity is the space where songwriters excel.” – Jess Grant
What I appreciate most is that this song doesn’t preach total abstinence. Instead, it takes a harm reduction approach, acknowledging that full sobriety isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The song doesn’t shame people and isn’t highly critical of the behaviors of others. The message is more about knowing your limits, choosing wisely, and taking care of yourself. That nuance adds a lot of weight. The song instead focuses on self-care and self-respect and it focuses mostly on safety.
Grant’s years of songwriting shows with his talent throughout this record. His experience gives Highway 99 a grounded, lived-in sound that still manages to stay fresh and relevant even while pulling from more classic sounds.
https://theindependentspirits.com/jess-grant-highway-99/
Jess Grant’s latest single, “Highway 99,” is a masterclass in storytelling and sonic craftsmanship. Recorded at Seattle’s iconic London Bridge Studio, the track features top-tier session musicians, including Ben Smith (Heart) on drums and Andy Stoller (Ann Wilson) on bass, delivering a rich, textured sound that complements Grant’s evocative lyrics.
The song paints a vivid portrait of the Pacific Northwest, weaving in imagery of roadside motels and the storied stretch of Highway 99 itself. Grant’s vocals, both warm and weathered, guide listeners through a landscape that feels both familiar and freshly observed. I find that “Highway 99” doesn’t just play it transports. It’s a standout track that showcases Grant’s ability to blend Americana roots with contemporary sensibilities, making it a must-listen for fans of narrative-driven music.
PAST ALBUMS
THE TASTIEST COMBO
“Goes straight for the jugular…unflinching honesty…all done with a musicality and personal touch that keeps the listener engaged.”
Casey Neil 2021
LANDLINE
“Seattle alt-country singer-songwriter Jess Grant has crafted a four-minute song packed with high energy, catchy and sassy melodies, and romance.”
Dan’s Tunes 2020
SUGARCANE MUTINY
“Tarantino-like stories…smart songwriting, stringent catchy melodies and a dose of twang.”
The Weekly Volcano 2008
THE WASHINGTON WALTZ
“A wealth of fresh original ideas...one outrageous or innovative idea after another.”
Victory Music Review 2003