KING BUFFALO ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE ALBUM "LONGING TO BE THE MOUNTAIN"; FIRST SINGLE STREAMING VIA POPMATTERS; NORTH AMERICAN TOURING BEGINS IN AUGUST
"Like a psychedelic sunrise, King Buffalo stretches their music in every direction. Let it wash over you!"
–Kyle Shutt, The Sword
"[King Buffalo] summon elements of the psychedelic and the progressive and the intersection of the two as heard in the music of Pink Floyd."
–PopMatters
King Buffalo announces the October 12th release of its second full-length album, Longing to Be the Mountain.
Stream "Sun Shivers," the first single off Longing to Be the Mountain, here:
https://www.popmatters.com/king-buffalo-sun-shivers-2591780809.html
From Rochester, New York, King Buffalo is the trio of vocalist/guitarist Sean McVay, bassist Dan Reynolds, and drummer Scott Donaldson. Since forming in 2013, the self-proclaimed "heavy blues" band has made its name via debut album Orion, follow-up EP Repeater, and tours with the likes of The Sword and All Them Witches.
Psych-rock authority The Obelisk has been tracking King Buffalo's ascent since the start, pegging them as a band destined for greatness. The site's review of the Repeater EP proclaimed: "Repeater finds them brimming with confidence... Their songwriting here hits a new level of craftsmanship that only raises one’s hopes even after such an impressive debut long-player. The question isn’t so much whether King Buffalo are prepared for their next step as it is whether their audience is ready to realize the special moment playing out in front of them."
Sophomore album Longing to Be the Mountain is an enthralling piece of work that sees King Buffalo fulfill its promise. In six songs, clocking in at 42 minutes, the band cements the style initiated on previous releases. Sure to delight fans of psych, stoner, and krautrock, Longing to Be the Mountain is timeless rock music, greater than any one genre.
Donaldson's clean, sturdy drumming and Reynolds' hypnotic basslines lock into grooves that propel the songs, traveling from cool, spacious zones into all-out explosive finalés. Frontman McVay mesmerizes with a haunting vocal style that commands full attention despite its sedated tone – early Pink Floyd is a reference point. Within each song, he showcases a palette of vivid guitar playing, from jangly rhythms to ripping solos.
Some songs make their point in 4 minutes or less, others sprawl out above the 10-minute mark. In either case, there is no fat to trim. King Buffalo moves with purpose. Reynolds names British Invasion bands like The Animals as an influence on him during the making of Longing to Be the Mountain, noting how he came to respect simplicity – "just playing the right notes in the right places." With the three members in sync, songs progress steadily and fluidly, from world-weary lulls into squalls of transcendence.
King Buffalo's music and lyrics are in harmony, both painting pictures of traveling, questing, evolving. Of the lyrics, McVay says, "The album is about searching for meaning. It's a story about finding one's place in an increasingly turbulent and chaotic world." We, the listeners, are lucky to witness King Buffalo's journey as they cruise onward and upward, leaving behind an amazing soundtrack as they go.
Longing to Be the Mountain was produced by All Them Witches guitarist Ben McLeod. It was recorded at Main Street Armory in Rochester by Grant Husselman, mixed by Sean McVay, and mastered by Bernie Matthews. Acoustic guitar throughout the album was played by McLeod. The artwork was created by Adrian Dexter. The album will be released on vinyl and CD, and digitally.
King Buffalo embarks on a North American tour in August, including a stop at Psycho Las Vegas and numerous Canadian dates. More touring will follow in the fall.
Tracklist:
1) Morning Song
2) Sun Shivers
3) Cosmonaut
4) Quickening
5) Longing to Be the Mountain
6) Eye of the Storm
Lineup:
Sean McVay - vocals, guitar, synth
Dan Reynolds - bass, synth
Scott Donaldson - drums
Discography:
Longing to Be the Mountain (self-released in North America, Stickman Records in Europe, 2018)
Repeater EP (Stickman Records, 2018)
Orion (self-released, 2016)
Electric Ladyland Redux compilation (Magnetic Eye Records, 2015)
Split w/ Le Betre (STB Records, 2015)
Demo (2013)
kingbuffalo.com
facebook.com/kingbuffaloband
instagram.com/kingbuffaloband
twitter.com/kingbuffaloband
kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com
Photo of King Buffalo, by Mike Turzanski
No comments:
Post a Comment