Buzzard Lope are a trio (although a 5 piece on the album) from Bedford, Birmingham and Brazil who we are told "bonded over long drives round Europe in the rain, crammed in an old estate car with just their manager, keyboard, drum kit and double bass to keep them sane".
The Band actually sound like they are next best thing out of Brooklyn on their debut album which is out on 18th November and is called 'Pyrrhic Victories'.
Like The National producing an album of slow smoky beer stained ballads this album hits that spot straight away. The opening song starts with a ‘Devotchka’ like accordion before Roger Illingworth’s vocals start their brooding drive through the eleven songs on the album. As Bryan Ferry said once, “Always start a record with something up”
Second song on the record, ‘Walk don’t Run’ is a slow song that entices the listener into a dreamy state of concentration which, continues through 'Blue Arsed Fly' and the title track ‘Pyrric Victories’.
The album is well paced, there are changes in style and lyrics are always interesting. Gill Sandell (of Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo) provides the accordion, and Oberheim and the band recorded, mixed, produced and mastered the album themselves, which is a band taking full control it seems. Very brave but in this case very successful for a debut album.
So when you first play this record, grab a whisky, a fireside armchair and sit back and let it sweep over you.
Pete
9/11
TRACKLISTING:
1. Peak of Evolution
2. Walk Don't Run
3. Blue Arsed Fly
4. Pyrrhic Victories
5. Girls in the Straw
6. The Dry Eyes of E H Gombrich
7. East by East
8. Jugged Hare
9. Continuum
10. Fag Ash Crow
11. Blue Bow
LINE UP:
Roger Illingworth – vocals, piano
Adam Jarvis – double bass
Raphael Saib – drums
Gill Sandell – accordian, Oberheim
Pete Thompson – guitar
LIVE DATES: Thu 21st Nov @ Servant Jazz Quarters, London (Album Launch Party)
ALBUM PURCHASE LINK HERE.