Buffalo Killers – 3 (2011, Alive Records)
Typically, you’ll find features on this blog about established artists with a solid following. The fact the people have an interest in an artist or a band is exactly why I post to this blog - hip you to what you want to know, right? So as not to miss out on that rare limited edition chocolate swirl vinyl that will get gobbled up the instant it hits the street or, given the current trend for pre-orders, sold out before its even pressed! That’s why you’re here, right?
Well, this is a feature unlike any other I’ve dished out. I feel duty-bound to throw something new at you because it needs sayin’, it’s these bearded, denim-clad souls that call themselves the Buffalo Killers. They kill all right. They’re a rock trio from Cincinnati, Ohio but they lay down some hazy, fuzzed out bits of psychedelic sunshine that spill straight from the hills of Southern California circa 1972. The band consists of brothers, Zach and Andy Gabbard, and drummer, Joey Sebaali.
I just slapped their third long player, a purple polyvinyl disc aptly titled “3”, onto my turntable and it instantly takes me for a ride - a ride with Crazy Horse and The James Gang, Buffalo Springfield and Canned Heat - back to a time when I lay perched on my elbows on the living room floor of my childhood home, LP collection scattered about the room and dreaming, devouring every word, every note. This album takes you back to that place (if you're old enough to have experienced your teenage years during vinyl's heyday).
I just slapped their third long player, a purple polyvinyl disc aptly titled “3”, onto my turntable and it instantly takes me for a ride - a ride with Crazy Horse and The James Gang, Buffalo Springfield and Canned Heat - back to a time when I lay perched on my elbows on the living room floor of my childhood home, LP collection scattered about the room and dreaming, devouring every word, every note. This album takes you back to that place (if you're old enough to have experienced your teenage years during vinyl's heyday).
Whether it’s the Big Star inspired opener “Huma Bird” or the James Gang sound-alike “Circle Day” the infectious rhythms will have your cranium bouncing in time with the beat. And when the tempo drops a notch or two, the slow burn of songs like “Spend My Last breath” and “All Turn To Cloud” will have you longing for a Bic lighter to hoist in the air and a few friends to throw your arms around.
“Take Your Place”, with its slow acoustic slide work and sing-along harmonies, would make a fitting campfire performance. It will also have you wondering if that's Axl Rose providing background vocals and harmonies. It's not, I checked. “Move On”, with the remarkable James Leg on keys and the splendid Brian Olive on Sax, may have well been recorded at Big Pink because it would fit seamlessly alongside any tune by The Band.
“Take Your Place”, with its slow acoustic slide work and sing-along harmonies, would make a fitting campfire performance. It will also have you wondering if that's Axl Rose providing background vocals and harmonies. It's not, I checked. “Move On”, with the remarkable James Leg on keys and the splendid Brian Olive on Sax, may have well been recorded at Big Pink because it would fit seamlessly alongside any tune by The Band.
There are no riffs to speak of here just catchy hooks and sublime melodies. These hairy retro-rockers cling to their denim roots like they depend on it. That’s a good thing. And as much as I use comparisons to bands like Big Star, James Gang, Buffalo Springfield, and others, they have their own distinctive sound that imparts fresh interpretations of some time-honored styles.
Notes: Limited edition purple or blue vinyl, generic white paper inner sleeve, no liner notes or lyric inserts.
Recorded and Mixed by Mike Montgomery @Candyland, Cincinnati, OH
Recorded and Mixed by Mike Montgomery @Candyland, Cincinnati, OH
Produced by Buffalo Killers
All songs written by Gabbard Brothers
Art Illustration by Joshua Marc Levy
Additional Musicians: Kelley Deal - Vocals, James Leg - Keys, Brian Olive - Sax, Ryan Wells - Banjo, Sven Kahns - Lapsteel
Purchase Link: http://www.alive-totalenergy.com/x/?page_id=666
Tracks:
1. Huma Bird
2. Circle Day
3. Mountain Sally
4. Spend My Last Breath
5. Lily of the Valley
6. Jon Jacob
7. All Turn to Cloud
8. Take Your Place
9. Time Was Shaping
10. Move on
11. Everyone Knows It But You
12. Could Never Be
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