Avi Buffalo Avi Buffalo (Sub Pop)
3/5
By: Stephen Maughan
I've long been a sucker for some sun drenched California indie pop of the kind that has instant appeal, one that can blaze away on the stereo while you are having a picnic with friends, or driving along to the beach. Even if Cromer in Norfolk isn't quite Venice Beach in California, nothing beats a good dose of carefree summer pop to put you in a good mood, and turn your life into a soundtrack to Beverley Hills 90210. The trouble is when the summer ends, the record is put away, and unless you are the Beach Boys, you are forgotten.
A lot has been made by the media press that Avi Buffalo are “just kids” which confuses me. Don't worry. We are not looking at the new Hanson, but a gang of incredibly talented 18 year olds pouring their hearts into their debut.
Well, geez, I can't see why every single 18 year old is not making music, and the fact they’re signed to Sub Pop should prove their talent, but let's be clear, whilst this is a lovely record, we are clearly not looking at the next Brian Wilson here. Lead singer Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg, wrestles with love and predominantly teenage emotions - “Remember when we talked all night, it made you laugh, these things don't have to last” ('Jessica'), meanwhile his band mates let their guitars swoon along, while his girlfriend chirps in here and there, and makes full use of her keyboard. All is going along smoothly, the ice cold lemonade is flowing, the party is in full swing... and then Avigdor starts singing about his girlfriend's lips being like "little pieces of bacon", and a song called ‘Summer Cum’ rears its head. It’s a song that perhaps only an 18 year old could write, with its tale of intoxication, confusion and excitement. It's nice enough, but the lyrics remind of sitting on a school bus, and you wonder if Avi B. are merely trying to shock their parents, or whether they’ve just been out in the sun too long.
Does this mean to say you needn't bother buying the record if you are over 25? No, thank God, for there is a sweetness and a self belief that propels this album above the average release, and Avi Buffalo's enthusiasm for life is contagious. As they sing "I can feel you're on fire because you're drunk and I seem too cool” on the single 'What's In It For', you feel like giving them a high five and hitting the waffle house at the beach for some broken heart pancakes.
The fact is, it's hard not to be carried away with this band, and as a debut you can excuse the faults. A few songs feel like air, so light is their touch, but I wonder how Avi will feel about some of these lyrics in ten years time. Yet the times the guitars are let to wander off slightly too aimlessly doesn't seem to matter, so appealing is their enthusiasm - Avi Buffalo is the sweet kid at school who trips over his shoelaces and always hands his work in late, but damn it, he’s so eager and charismatic the teachers never give him detention (despite their suspicions of what he’s up to behind the bike sheds at lunch being absolutely spot on).
Artists in this article: Avi Buffalo
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment