Buffalo Road - "Wandering Soul"

Album review by Danny Alexander

This is a remarkable debut for a number of reasons. First, Buffalo Road's early 70s blues-based sound seems far less derivative than other contemporary bands (particularly those with Crow[e]s in the name) whose influences always dwarf their own voices. Ironically, the freshness of this sound may stem from its 3rd generation quality-further removed from the source and sounding all the more individual for it.

More importantly, each song on Wandering Soul features a bold melody and a warmth of tone that makes it immediately accessible and, often, deeply resonant. Top those rare qualities with that particular explosive jam nothing manages better than a tight three-piece, and you have a great listen, particularly among local releases.

And yet, Buffalo Road's strengths also highlight its weaknesses. Singer Clint Miller sells these songs with convincing passion, but he also has a tendency to quaver, lose breath and go flat-qualities that may work for some vocalists but tend to undercut the effect of this band's powerful sound. The lyrics, too, are conceptually ambitious, but generally abstract and not particularly memorable.

In the end, Wandering Soul is a more than promising beginning. This sounds like a terrific live band with a lot of heart, and if it ever gets what it wants to say out, the way it needs to say it . . . watch out!

--Danny Alexander
danny@thezone.org