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BUFFALO CROWS
"Primitive Grind"
(Buffalo Rising Music; 2014)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
The name of this website is Rough Edge, and there's a reason for that: we like our music to have a rough edge. And there are few better examples of "rough edge" than the Buffalo Crows' CD, "Primitive Grind."
"Primitive Grind" starts with the spiraling, guitar-driven "Kingdom Come," and it's a perfect introduction for what's to come. Driving, perfectly muddy rhythms backed with a constant lead guitar back and a gruff-voiced singer, whose guttural tone is more bourbon-based than death metal ragged. It's followed by the distorted harmonica intro to "Bastard Blues" and, for the most part, the rest of the CD is, thankfully, more of the same. Rough, raw and bloody honest hunks of rock'n'roll. There's a strong blues influence here that gives the music emotional depth and a open wound rawness that allows the music to exist in its purest form.
I did say that's what most of the tracks here are like, but there there are a couple of exceptions: "Dune Messiah" is a weird, eerie mess that brings to mind (for whatever reason) the David Lynch film version of the classic Frank Herbert universe. And "Walk Through the Fire" which sounds a little like the late Pete Steele of Type O Negative.
This is a very unique, very entertaining CD from start to finish and I'm happy to have become acquainted with the Buffalo Crows music. And I think those who enjoy their music with a "rough edge" will be happy as well.
End note: I learned a few things searching for artwork to include in this review: 1) The band is from Australia; 2) They have been compared to Crazy Horse (a comparison I can agree with); 3) "Dune Messiah" is a cover of a song by the Australian rock band Buffalo.
Buffalo Crows: RL Crowfoot - vocals, guitar; Joe Barton - lead guitar; Rev Russ Redford - harmonica; Rob Wilson - bass; Phantom Limb - drums.
For more information, check out https://plus.google.com/+BuffaloCrows.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2015 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
