27. December 2014 By Walter Price 0

Review: Buffalo Summer – ‘Buffalo Summer’

To me, this is a good thing because it means bands that try to play real instruments, sing for real, and make music that touches you, rather than going for smooth-as-glass, digital perfection

By Maria Haskins

The 1970s rock-revival is everywhere these days, and I can’t say that I mind in the slightest. Bands from all over the world are being inspired by the old-school, bluesy, riffy and groovy, hard rocking sounds of bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and others. To me, this is a good thing because it means bands that try to play real instruments, sing for real, and make music that touches you, rather than going for smooth-as-glass, digital perfection.

Buffalo Summer, a band out of Wales, fits nicely into this rock-revival, playing what the band describes as “feel good rock and roll”, mixing up influences from 1970s rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Free, with a bit of soul and blues and a pinch of 1980s flash.

With front-man Andrew Hunt’s vocals giving the tracks some real spark, and the rest of the band showing some serious chops behind him, Buffalo Summer has found a good groove in their music in between classic rock and hard rock. Gareth Hunt is excellent on drums throughout this album, and both Johnny Williams on guitar and Darren King on bass provide some excellent flash on every single track here.

This is a solid album, starting out with rollicking good time rockers “She’s All Natural” and “Down To The River”, and the great bass and guitar work on “Down To The River”. That said, this album really kicks into gear for me with the 4th track, the kicking “A Horse Called Freedom” – this is the tune where the band really lets loose and takes flight with some fabulous good ol’ rock, and it’s a track that really won me over with its hooky chorus and pounding riffage.

After that, the band piles up several great tunes, including the hard-rocking “Rolls On Through” with some excellent guitar- and drum work elevating the tune even further; the absolutely slamming “March Of The Buffalo”; and the hard-driving “Ain’t No Other”. The heavier “Keep On Runnin’” is also one of my favorite tracks here, with some ripping good guitar and tasty bass.

This self-titled album is a definite show of strength for Buffalo Summer. Since the band got together a few years ago, these guys have been working hard to break into the music industry and it has obviously paid off with support slots for acts like Duff McKagan and Skid Row, and now a well-crafted album. Check out this album, and if you’re in Europe, you can catch Buffalo Summer live in Europe this fall and winter when they’re touring with Massive and The Treatment.

Buffalo Summer: official website / Facebook / Twitter

Check out the official video for “Down To The River” right here: