urygodo fallenna jassan

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Dimple Belousson

unread,

Aug 3, 2024, 8:15:53 PM8/3/24

to councastlibi

Review: Buffalo Tom - Three Easy Pieces (2007)

Buffalo Tom is a band that has been around since the late 80s, but never achieved the mainstream success of some of their peers. Their sound is a mix of alternative rock, indie rock and power pop, with influences from HÃsker DÃ, The Replacements and Dinosaur Jr. Their eighth album, Three Easy Pieces, was released in 2007 after a nine-year hiatus, and it shows that they still have the knack for writing catchy and heartfelt songs.

The album opens with "Bad Phone Call", a mid-tempo rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the record. The song is about a failed relationship and the frustration of not being able to communicate. The chorus is catchy and the guitar solo is tasteful. The title track, "Three Easy Pieces", is a more upbeat and optimistic song, with a jangly guitar riff and a sing-along chorus. The song is about finding happiness in simple things and not giving up on love.

The album has a good balance of songs sung by the two main vocalists, Bill Janovitz and Chris Colbourn. Janovitz has a more raspy and emotional voice, while Colbourn has a smoother and softer voice. Some of the highlights of Janovitz's songs are "You'll Never Catch Him", a beautiful ballad about letting go of someone who doesn't love you back; "Bottom Of The Rain", a catchy pop song with a sunny melody and a melancholic lyric; and "Hearts Of Palm", a slow-burning epic with a soaring chorus and a string arrangement.

Some of the highlights of Colbourn's songs are "Lost Downtown", a rocking song with a driving bass line and a catchy hook; "Good Girl", a sweet acoustic song with backing vocals by Chris Toppin and Hilken Mancini; and "CC And Callas", a tribute to the artists C.C. DeVille and Maria Callas, with references to their songs and lives.

The album closes with "Thrown", a six-minute instrumental that showcases the band's musicianship and versatility. The song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar, then builds up with electric guitars, drums, bass, keyboards and pedal steel guitar. The song has a cinematic feel and a sense of closure.

Three Easy Pieces is an album that proves that Buffalo Tom is still relevant and creative after more than two decades of making music. The album is full of memorable melodies, honest lyrics and solid performances. It is an album that deserves more attention and appreciation from music fans.

The album also received positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the band's comeback and their consistent quality. AllMusic gave the album four stars out of five, calling it "an impressive return to form" and noting that "Buffalo Tom can turn down the tempos without sacrificing the power or drama of their music". PopMatters also rated the album eight out of ten, saying that "Three Easy Pieces is a reminder that Buffalo Tom are one of the great American rock bands of the past 20 years". The A.V. Club gave the album a B+, writing that "Buffalo Tom sounds as vital as ever on Three Easy Pieces, an album that doesn't reinvent the band's sound so much as refine it".

The album also features some guest appearances from other musicians, such as Clint Conley of Mission of Burma, who provides backing vocals on "Renovating"; Tim Obetz, who plays pedal steel guitar on "Thrown"; and Chris Toppin and Hilken Mancini of Fuzzy, who sing backup on "Good Girl". The album was produced by the band themselves and mixed by Tom Polce, who also worked with them on Smitten. The album was released by New West Records in the US and by Sonic Rendezvous in Europe.

Three Easy Pieces is an album that shows that Buffalo Tom are still capable of making great music after a long hiatus. It is an album that appeals to both old and new fans of the band, and it is an album that deserves more recognition and appreciation. It is an album that proves that Buffalo Tom are not just three easy pieces, but a whole greater than the sum of its parts.