Tel Aviv band Buffalos is something to put under your radar.
This five piece band, who released their eponymous album last year, has received fantastic reviews and their debut was the star of all sorts of ‘best of 2009’ lists in Israel.
They produce mixture of country-blues-grunge-theatrical elements, which, if pushed to it, I’d describe it as the meeting place of Calexico, Tom Waits, Queens Of The Stone Age and Nick Cave.
Drummer Ran and vocalist/lead guitarist Omer have been playing together for almost 15 years in past bands like Lady Macbeth and Jet Sam, while Dan (bass) and Eyal (guitar) are adding depths and colors respectively, to form a tight, top form band.
This group is lead by female vocalist Sivan ‘Bella’ , who’s easily one of the most amazing voices I’ve heard in recent years. She’s powerful, yet gentle not tempestuous. She’s dramatic and provides a fantastic delivery to her strong lyrics, yet keeps away from cliche pathos and over-drama.
They had already recorded a brilliant cover of Dresden Dolls‘ Missed Me, a regular number in their shows while today they’ve uploaded a new video from their latest tour in Europe, where they redefine the term ‘classic’, as they explore the pop elements of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walking and have them buffaloed.
Their 2009 album is available for a free download, only for the price of an email address, and I encourage you to check them out. As time flies, I’m sure, they will get their chance on the biggest indie stages, and you’d be begging for a backstage pass. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Buffalos’ take on Amanda Palmer’s song
The writer of this post was the bass player in the band, but it doesn’t make him a liar.
