Album of the Week

Settlement – MOCT

September 19, 2016

Like a comet across Lake Erie’s vast sky shines Settlement, a new Buffalo-based band composed guitarist/vocalist Dan Moscov, bassist/vocalist Mike Dagonese, and drummer Adam Lilley. The band sounds like Balance and Composure at times fronting lonely, saddening compositions. At other times, Settlement gets heavy like O’Brother, their heavyheartedness clearly demonstrated by clear, dark, beefy instrumentals. This six-song extended play was recorded by freelance audio engineer Ron Hensberry and mixed and mastered by John Angelo. The album starts off with “Preparations.” A passing jet engine’s call and rapid sixteenth notes on the hi hats fill the headphones. Soon, a clean guitar riff embraces the ears in tandem with a rumbly bass. The instruments tell tales on their own without lyrics. An adventure between the ears is maintained as a secondary guitar riff adds to the mix. From there is “Setting Forth,” a rather heavy track that brandishes chugging guitar and distorted bass. On the[...]

Pleistocene – Spear

September 6, 2016

Spear, Pleistocene‘s latest, is a more condensed, focused effort from the group as they slashed out some of the noise that radiated from the sonic orb found between the phones when listening to them. Pleistocene’s latest demonstrates the Rochester-based rockers versatility (especially during the first three songs) and finds an exciting balance between “onto the next!” (See: Dave Grohl) and aloof. This album is of a certain kind where one can start it and let it play from start to finish while you run through your everyday routine. Spears kicks off with “Your New Life”  a gentle surf lick and damn dirty bass. The bass does the song justice as it’s powerhouse spine. “Your New Life” switches between a punk, surf rock version and a blown-out straight-up punk version. The second track “Give Me the Line,” is like something from the Descendents. The tune is very garage punk-esque and features fast vocals with[...]

Safe Search – Hobby

August 29, 2016

Here at buffaBLOG, we love it when a release takes us by surprise. With so much of our time spent keeping tabs on forthcoming releases and projects that *are* on our radar, it is to be expected that some things slip through the cracks. So when something impressive seemingly comes out of nowhere, naturally, we’re excited. Enter Hobby, the sophomore effort from the Rochesterian home-recording project of Brian Buggy, or Safe Search. Specializing in an endearing vein of lo-fi freak folk, the album makes a name for itself with its exceptional diversity among the tracks. A full listen-through highlights a multitude of influence; comparisons to Paul Baribeau, Grizzly Bear, Owen, and Radical Face really only grazes the top layer. Safe Search gathers this influence and takes it a step further, melding acoustic fragility with a captivating electric prominence. “Crows” exemplifies this hybridization at its core, capitalizing on an ebbing electric[...]

Chevron Bloom – EP

August 22, 2016

Buffalo-based indie rock act, Chevron Bloom’s released their debut EP earlier this month. The 4-track EP, aptly titled EP, was recorded in Geneseo, at Temperamental Recordings. In the band’s debut effort, the trio has crafted a tight set of tunes with psychedelic overtones. Each song, though short in nature, still goes through several different shifts throughout its runtime. The EP varies between moments of straight ahead rock and spaced-out meandering. They meld together elements of psychedelic pop, heavy alt. rock and shoegaze, and every transition through styles is seamless. Throughout, the vocals are light and airy, floating overtop of the arrangements, at times like they are barely there. The snare drum is front and center for most of it, sitting comfortably right in the middle of the mix, a consistent and heavy presence through each dynamic shift. In fact, it’s the snare drum that kicks off the record. Opener “Home?” begins[...]

Charmer – Whateverville

August 15, 2016

Charmer (not named after Tigers Jaw’s latest) is a quintet full of charming young men formerly based out Marquette, Michigan. The band did what many bands decide to do, pack all their gear and relocate to the music metropolis of Rochester as a full band. Whateverville is the band’s New York debut as well as a palatable five-song emo record. Whateverville begins with a quote from television comedy Red Oaks: “You still live with your parents and you hang out with your stoner friends and you ride a bike…” Alright. We already get the picture. “Photography Raptor” then blasts into some distorted electric guitar chords. The drum cymbals seem faraway, but the bump of the bass drum is very apparent. Everything seems recorded in a small, tight room. The song has a bouncy tendency when it’s not within the confines of the transitioning parts. The last 30 seconds is breakdown-esque with a shrill lead. “I[...]

Northern Spies – Autumn Chapter

August 8, 2016

Rochester-based indie rockers Northern Spies, a project featuring members of several other prominent Rochester bands, have been on the circuit for a few years now. Last year’s Nothing But Static EP wasn’t quite what the effort’s title suggested. The EP, with an armful of power pop hooks, soft spoken vocal harmonies, and a tinge of roots rock influence got the ball rolling for the 4 piece, and earned them some well-deserved local buzz. Fast forward to 2016, and we have the Spies’ debut full(ish) length, Autumn Chapter, out now via Dadstache Records. Everything we loved about the first EP is all here, the band having polished their sonic formula into something inherently unique for this day and age. Northern Spies’ sprawling list of influences knows no bounds. Harnessing the jangly charm of 60’s power pop bands like The Byrds and Donovan, the Spies use harmony to their advantage, sparking a[...]

Brat’ya – Call Me

August 1, 2016

Lovers of layered vintage synths, naked emotion, and neon soundscapes will find much joy on our Album Of The Week, Brat’ya’s debut five song EP Call Me. The brainchild of Buffalo by way of  Azerbaijani electronica artist Alek Ogadzhanov, Brat’ya combines the electronic majesty of M83 and Miami Horror with the plaintive indie rock vocals of Death Cab For Cutie (but not The Postal Service) to tremendous effect, creating music that sounds sweet in the ear and resonates in your soul, making Call Me the complete package. “Be Someone” gets Call Me off to a strong start, stripping the electronic layers back to a slow burning, throbbing heartbeat under prayerful lyrics that speak to these… interesting times. Sure, sentiments like “let go of fear, give into love” and “I just want to say free your heart” never go out of fashion, but during this summer, after those two political conventions, they feel[...]

Jon Lewis – Out of Lunch

July 18, 2016

Named by 585 Magazine as an “Artist to Follow” in 2016, Jon Lewis fronts a John Ralston-like musical style begging for local, perhaps even statewide attention. Lewis partakes in a practiced indie rock act from Rochester coming at us as both a solo performer and as a full band. This time around, Lewis (guitar and lead vocals) and his band – Dave Drago (vocals and bass), Shawn Brogan (guitar), and Jacob Walsh (drums) – gift us a delicate EP entitled Out to Lunch. The six-song release is chock-full of solid alternative folk compositions, lush mixes, a general warm but lost feel. “Everyone Wants to Know,” Song 1, opens the release with tremolo guitar and soft group vocals. “Left his job, left for dead – no one heard what he said,” tells Lewis of the song’s protagonist. One should wonder if Lewis is cooing about his own endeavors. This tune is relatively simple.[...]

Aaron & the Burrs – A Burr for All Seasons (and Other Tunes)

July 12, 2016

Named after one of the most controversial historical Americans (the Vice President under Thomas Jefferson who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel and allegedly sided with the Confederates after allegedly evading the law in the unexplored Western Frontier), Aaron & the Burrs stage a coup aimed at reclaiming Buffalo a stake in surf rock for listeners to enjoy  when visiting Lake Erie. Released June 23, A Burr for All Seasons (and Other Tunes) marks Aaron & the Burrs’ third LP. At under sixteen minutes, this vocal-less quickie keeps you entertained with its repetitious beach-y vibes. “Reprise,” the starting track, is a sixteen-second saga with a delightful guitar lick. The song explodes into existence with a fast snare drum roll, and before you know it, reverb from various instruments sees you out. “The Winter Solstice” blazes a trail like Dick Dale and the Deltones’ “Miserlou.” There is a mysterious shade accompanying the song.[...]

Scope & Figure – Gardiner Park

June 27, 2016

Brimming with new life is Scope & Figure, touring in support of their latest release, Gardiner Park. Tour dates can been seen on their Facebook page, hyperlinked above. Originally formed in 2013, the band spent their time playing shows, sifting through a multitude of members, and putting out numerous EPs and singles with which to dazzle their fans. Gardiner Park is their first full-length LP. The album demonstrates the band’s learned versatility and instrumental expertise. Track 1, “First & Last” is a low rumble pushed forward by modest synth and guitar, and prominent vocals delivered by frontman Thomas Varner. A distorted lead meshes seamlessly with falsetto ohs. Again, the low rumble of the drums and bass keeps the song swaying before mere whispers see the listeners out. “Sophia” is the next song. A clean guitar riff entertains the right ear before the rest of the band jumps in to support it.[...]

Dreambeaches – Habits

June 5, 2016

I’ll cut to the chase: These guys are good. Let’s just say I listened to them a few times for fun. Dreambeaches is a colorful quartet that’s barely a year old. Habits’ cover art does them justice, as does their Facebook promo photo take on fruit salad. This extended play is one that takes you on a trip. The music is unique, serene, and psychedelic. You’ll find yourself indulging in the bass-heavy, rhythmically-inclined songs. RIYL The Shins, Snowmine, Foals, and (at times) Tame Impala. Habits, the four-piece’s debut release, begins with “Tiny Spirits.” The track starts off with chirping birds. The band follows suit with some chirping of their own. “I’m tired of looking at life through a window,” is sung as the band plays in melodic and rhythmic symmetry. A wet-sounding deep synth keeps the band grounded through the ongoing tumult. Next, “Habits,” is decidedly beach pop. The catchy composition forces your[...]

Secret Pizza – Nothing Needs to Happen

May 29, 2016

Rochester’s Secret Pizza doesn’t sound cheesy like their name might imply. Instead, they embody badassitude, something the sweet, old lady with sunglasses on the black and white cover of SP’s upcoming release, Nothing Needs to Happen, carries. Nothing Needs to Happen is the group’s first proper LP, wrangling in tracks from previously released EPs and sessions, and man does it hit home. The albums starts of with “Where do we go from here?” a roaring, feedback-filled swarm of music. “No, I’m not that steady,” sings Phil Shaw, admitting to a feeling many know well. The song continues by raveling you into a fuzzy blanket of guitars, keeping you awake with a kickass bassline. “Where do we go from here?” is answered by, “Anywhere!” The screams and fighting of the instruments turn the listener into a well-understood pile of mush. “Oh my my,” is hushed at first, at least before Secret Pizza[...]

The Nigh – Fluorescent Sun

May 16, 2016

The Nigh is secretly sneaking into your midnight streams, already too close for comfort, of course. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, The Nigh does our music scene certain justice with their dark release, Fluorescent Sun. The LP as a whole is grey, bleak, and watery. The cover art depicts a “white hole” rather than black, prompting the onlooker/listener to wonder if, sarcastically, that bright something was something always to be out of reach. “…” ushers the wondering wanderer from that thought to a blissfully black fifty-second track that ends in an exciting synth flourish. Quieted, “I’ll Go Missing” kicks in. It’s a spacious, slightly funky track. The vocals bounce between each headphone. “We could run away just long enough to say I’d go missing,” is the lyrical lick of the song. It’s delivered as if the singer’s ready to run. The chorus is a solid mix of distorted guitar, ringing[...]

Wylie Something – untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?

May 2, 2016

The latest offering from Wylie Something is a compilation called untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?, presumably a take on Kendrick Lamar’s untitled/unmastered. Wylie Something is the moniker for Buffalo-native turned Philadelphia-based college student, Jacob Smolinski. If you have been exposed to Smolinski’s other works (The Cascos, or most recently Local Onlys), then you know the musician is keen to writing features catchy and danceable indie rock. Released through local label Steak & Cake Records, it consists of songs he wrote over the past few years but didn’t know what to do with, assembled and mastered by producer Brandon Schila. Schila’s work extends beyond the production. He lends a hand on the compositions as well, taking on the role of bassist and drummer. Also present are backing vocals from Maggie Maloney. These contributions help round out the songs and bring Wylie’s tunes to life. Virtually every song is tight and compact, with[...]

The Slums – SORRY

April 25, 2016

SORRY marks The Slums’ first LP release since their inception, and as the band themselves suggested, please blare it from your speakers. This heavyhearted giant is here to apologize for something, or is maybe just stuck in a desperate, depressing downward spiral. Regardless, brutalizing your instruments, screaming your sorrows, and creating nasty, anger-driven material is one way to either get things out of your system or get who/what is causing you pain away from you. Like really far away from you. The Slums have blessed us with a relatable hard rock album, taking pages from Brand New’s and Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band’s books. “Gospel Part I” is the first song on this black album. The LP opener bursts into livelihood after a quiet, overdriven guitar riff. My initial thought when hearing this track was, “… it sounds broken.” That idea was immediately backed by the lyrics, “I’m punctured[...]