Lord Buffalo, a quartet comprising Daniel Pruitt (guitar, bass, piano, vocals, melodica), Garrett Hellman (guitar, sub-bass, piano, synths), Patrick Patterson (violin), and Yamal Said (drums, percussion) are an Austin, Texas based heavy psychedelic-Americana band who release their latest album `Holus Bolus` this month which takes its name from an antiquated term meaning “all at once.”
We are introduced to the album with title track `Holus Bolus` which has a thumping drum beat and languid guitar riffs before emotionally charged baritone vocals join and guide us along. The track becomes fairy intense and edgy as it evolves but the narrator almost guides us through any perceived danger. The number kind of fades with reverb into `Slow Drug` with a hypnotic pulse running through its veins and skewered tones that paint a deserted industrial or dystopian outlook. There`s some interesting rhythmic drumming and extended guitar riffs scattered throughout.
An almost tribal beat leads us into `Passing Joy` with vocals that sound as if they emit from a preacher who has much knowledge to share. A composition that has a quite mesmerising texture where the vocals, riffs, and rhythm meld together towards the conclusion. I couldn`t find a translation for `Malpaisano` but malpais equates to badland an area as being extremely rough and difficult to traverse and unusable for crops. The number itself depicts a feeling of an arid, barren, desert like impoverished landscape. The vocals and lyrical content had the poetic touch of the Lizard King about them.
The wonderfully titled `I Wait On The Door Slab` has a tapped drum rim cadence along with violin tones and vocals that are quite compelling and magnetic and really draw you into this song`s depths and layers. As the piece evolves, we have guitar chords joining and the arrangement appears to increase in intensity both musically and audibly as it climaxes and fades. I initially thought that `Cracks In The Vermeer` may refer to “from the sea” or “from the lake” or even a painting by the Baroque Dutch artist but as lake is mentioned in the lyrics, we can assume that it is the former. The tune itself is a powerful slow burn with some psychedelic tinges and moods. The final sixty seconds has a throaty chant like vibe.
The definitive number `Rowing In Eden` opens with solitary atmospheric almost cinematic tones and jagged violin loops and is another absorbing, enthralling and spellbinding listen.
I really enjoyed `Holus Bolus` and found it utterly enchanting, alluring and captivating. At times, musically it could have been the soundtrack for either an Ennio Morricone or David Lynch epic, but Lord Buffalo have nigh on ploughed a sonically unique path for themselves. A direction that I would encourage you to take.
Rating 9/10
