Album Review, Best Of 2010 (So Far): Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo

The best way to come across a never-heard-before band is incidentally, giving the moment a "stars are in perfect alignment" feeling that puts this gift of newly found music in your listening rotation that is reserved only for the all-time favorites. You can have that feeling with Avi Buffalo as well. Since this is not only their first album, but that all of the band members are at or under legal drinking age, you can definitely get in on the fandom at the ground floor. The only fans who will have you beat will be their high school friends.

If you have been reading up on Avi Buffalo recently, you have quite possibly heard their sound connected to the Zach Braff-endorsed band The Shins. There is a definite connection to their sweet, hummable tunes paired with a inviting falsetto. However, Avi Buffalo's lyrics manage to dig deeper and employ the edgier, adventurous side of being young. Their songs are about the unsettling nature of relationships not unlike, well, everyone else, but have the youthful exuberance of teenagers who can't restrain themselves. Look no further than the tellingly titled tracks "Summer Cum", "Five Little Sluts" and "Where's Your Dirty Mind".

Yet  there is much more going on here than teenage energy. There is interesting vocal inflections, beautiful boy-girl harmonies and some intricately simple guitar work revealing a confidence most bands search for their entire careers. If anyone is finding their sound too twee, give the guitar solos on "Remember Last Time" and "Jessica" a listen. It is almost an inside joke that such 70's inspired sounds come from band members mostly born in the 90's. All in all, Avi Buffalo's self titled release is definitely the best debut this year. Get on the bandwagon now while there is plenty of room. Three favorite tracks from the album are given below.

Purchase the new Avi Buffalo album here.

Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time


Avi Buffalo - Summer Cum


Avi Buffalo - Truth Sets In