Buffalo Summer - 'Desolation Blue'

(Silver Lining Music)

‘Desolation Blue’ is the third album from Welsh rockers Buffalo Summer and was recorded in five days! Now normally I’d have alarm bells ringing at that fact because to me it would mean the album will sound rushed with lots of imperfections and be way to raw for my ears that love well-polished productions. This is not the case; you wouldn’t know upon finishing digesting this album that this short time scale happened unless you were told. The band were aiming to add a rawness to their songs, I’m not sure they achieved that, but that’s not in detriment to the songs, I think this is a fantastic album. I’m just not hearing what the band were going for in the mix!

I was expecting a modern blues rock album heavily influenced by seventies classic rock before pressing play and while there are some classic rock influences in the mix this is more of an alternative rock album. A guest appearance from REM’s Peter Buck should be a good hint at the style of Buffalo Summer.

Buffalo Summer are definitely a band at their top of their game and there is some excellent musicianship on display I’m particularly fond of Andrew Hunt’s voice and vocal style. There is some strong song writing and hooks aplenty across the album. If your looking for something fresh and intriguing that incorporates elements of blues and classic rock swagger these guys are for you – but you need to listen with an open mind as these guys veer more into alternative territory.

‘Dark Valentine’ brings those blues rock elements to the forefront and has definitely been crafted using the Gary Moore song writing hand book. It’s song like ‘Last To Know’ with its killer chorus and a stupendous vocal performance from Hunt alongside the U2 meets Killing Joke ‘When You Walk Away’ and the powerful Americanised Indie Rock of ‘The Mirror’ that have the most impact on me

‘Desolation Blue’ is a really strong album and I was very impressed with it especially as the style of music Buffalo Summer create isn’t stereotypical of my listening habits. I was actually surprised at how much I really enjoyed this album given the fact it is not the sort of thing I’d normally pick up. I can see this album appealing to rockers who enjoy indie rock, Stereophonics and Jon Butler Trio, there’s definitely some U2 and Simple Minds in the mix too!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Last To Know'

Review by Woody