Never judge a book by its cover is an oft used expression. This could maybe apply to Austin, Texas band Lord Buffalo and their oddly named album entitled Holus Bolus. The quartet of Daniel Pruitt (vocals/guitar/bass/piano/melodica), Garrett Hellman (guitar/sub-bass/piano/synths), Patrick Patterson (violin) and Yamal Said (drums, percussion) make what is best described as haunting cinematic psych-Americana-post rock
Opening track ‘Holus Bolus’ is in the vein of Swans and their intricate percussive grooves. Menacing and taut, Daniel recalls the dry throat rasp of Fearghal McKee, vocalist of Irish noiseniks Whipping Boy. Scorching guitars duel with thunderous drums and when that creaking violin erupts, I’m fully immersed in this striking music. There’s a distinctly blackened hue to the doom soul instrumental ‘Slow Drug’, like Afghan Whigs really getting down with the devil and a bottle of tequila. Blasts of searing atmospherics swoop and surround you as the desert rock fizzles with intense brooding heat. You can almost smell the sulphur.
In ‘Passing Joy’ every hefty drum wallop lands a thunderous blow to the cranium. There’s a hint of Jim Morrison to the booming vocal delivery from Daniel before the song takes a euphoric turn at the end with blistering solos and whoops and hollers adding to the mix. ‘Malpaisano’ burns slow with an intense flame as Daniel intones with the spirit of Morrison again, when the instrumentation swells in volume it brings a little light and as melodic layers form the track becomes a glorious drone.
‘I Wait On The Door Slab’ whips and cracks with a sneering intensity as strings dig into the snappy groove. The chorus has some vigorous swagger and some luscious instrumentation. Lead track ‘Cracks In The Vermeer’ lured me in by sounding like a more appealing version of Swans, a band I have wanted to like for years but never embraced. The elegant guitars, swooping violins and crisp percussion are equally haunting and intriguing. Closing track ‘Rowing In Eden’ runs like a soundtrack to a western movie. Droning violins set the atmospherics from the start and a host of ghostly noises create an uneasy tension as the song winds to a noisy and violent end.
Whilst Holus Bolus is a very serious and downbeat record, its also a very enjoyable listen. The production is excellent throughout and the instrumentation expertly performed building wondrously atmospheric dynamics. There are some obvious reference points in terms of influence, yet it feels like Lord Buffalo have their own unique sound. Highly recommended.
