Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Some albums announce themselves with a whimper, the cry of a terrified mouse confronted with the agonising choice of seeing a million traps before him or the faithful household cat stalking him from behind. Others roar as you would expect a majestic lion would on the Serengeti, full of deep meaning and warning those not to come too near him lest they get hurt in the process. Buffalo Summer’s self-titled 2011 release goes beyond the imagery of a the imposing king of beasts in its sweat and power of hard work as it stampedes and crushes all who stand foolishly in its wake.
Kicking off the album with the daunting She’s All Natural, the foursome rip at the body of rock with tooth and claw, energising, not destroying the genre as they go. The heat, passion and excitement they generate via the lyrics and music is not just wild but consistent, there is no let-up in the ferocity, even on some of the more supposed gentle numbers such as Down To The River, the hum of electricity is infectious making the listener think of the steam that comes out of an animal’s flaring nostrils as it prepares to attack.
Andrew Hunt’s great vocals do the album incredible justice but Buffalo Summer don’t just rely on one man to carry their message across on great tracks such as A Horse Called Freedom, March Of The Buffalo and Typhoid Mary, without the group collective, the herd mentality of survival that comes through their music, Buffalo Summer would just be another also ran. Together they are a strong hardy breed and the combination of the aforementioned Andrew Hunt, the powering guitar of Jonny Williams, the heartbeat pounding drums of Gareth Hunt and the subtle prowling bass of Darren King all make this an album of incredible music, real rock for real times, music with attitude and balls.
If the band’s follow up, whenever that should be released is even on par with this one, then the good work will still surely be looked at favourably, you can’t turn your back on a beast in full flight.
Ian D. Hall