Release
date: October
12th
2018. Label: Stickman
Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Longing
To Be The Mountain –
Tracklisting
1.Morning
Song 09:49
2.Sun
Shivers 03:29
3.Cosmonaut
03:57
4.Quickening
04:19
5.Longing
To Be The Mountain 10:22
6.Eye
Of The Storm 09:53
Members
Sean
McVay - Guitar & Lead Vocals
Dan
Reynolds - Bass & Lights
Scott
Donaldson - Drums & Vocals
Review
King
Buffalo new album is my first exposure to the band and I didn’t
know what to fully expect. As their debut album sort of passed me by.
However this album is a masterful blend of Psych Rock, Stoner Metal,
Post-Rock and Ambient Spaced Out Sounds. The band have the easy-going
nature and attitude of All Them Witches which is merged with the
heavy progressive sounds of Elder.
Opening
track – Morning Song - starts rather peaceful with a semi acoustic
rock atmosphere and sweet natured vocals to match. Though King
Buffalo change musical style for the final moments as heavy
Stoner/Space Rock riffs appear and King Buffalo fully embrace their
HEAVY ROCK sound.
The
opening track is a good indication of how the entire album plays out.
Though King Buffalo add a few surprises along the way. Perhaps the
album relies to heavily on the more softer style of music the band
use for their main DNA of their overall sound. However the band make
this work to their advantage with the band impressing with their wide
range of different musical genres.
Second
song – Sun Shivers is a more upbeat and straightforward
Space/Stoner Rock song that is more direct than the opening song.
Perhaps down to the short running time of the song which means the
band has less time to play around with. As the song only lasts for a
few moments compared to the 10 minute plus running time of the
opening song. This son does contain some of the heaviest riffs on
the album and it’s quite a joyful experience listening to King
Buffalo change the tone of the whole album.
The
next two songs – Cosmonaut and Quickening – are the other shorter
songs held on the album but King Buffalo apply a more experimental
vibe to these songs. As the songs have moments of trippy Americana
sounds that is offset by an almost gloomy atmospheric vibe.
The
final two songs – Longing To Be The Mountain and Eye Of The Storm
offer 20 minutes of King Buffalo embracing their heavier outlook on
life with the band playing a louder Stoner Rock/Metal progressive
style of music. The title track – Longing To Be The Mountain – is
the standout song on the album as King Buffalo play a wild range of
different emotions and you can feel that through the heartfelt lyrics
and vocals.
You
may feel that this album is really heavy enough from your very first
listen and that’s understandable. However, trust me when I say King
Buffalo don’t skimp on the heavier riffs. As they’re
strategically placed within the album so you will encounter a more
well-rounded listening experience.
The
production is excellent an allows King Buffalo to create an epic
sound all of their own. The overall feel of the album is crisp, fresh
and contains a powerful dynamic approach that you don’t really hear
much these days.
Overall,
Longing To Be The Mountain is an album that allows you to immerse
yourself with King Buffalo’s trippy and spaced out world. The band
have excelled themselves with this album and I’m hoping the band
build upon this huge sounding album on future releases.
Words
by Steve Howe
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