Touch The BUffalo - ​Bodhicitta

Touch The Buffalo

​Bodhicitta
DO IT: 2024

TOP ALBUM

By ​Dino DiMuro
​

Touch The Buffalo is an indie rock band from Arlington, Virginia who are releasing a four-song debut EP titled ​Bodhicitta. 

Starting in 2016 with just a ukulele and some original songs, they’re transitioned from singer-songwriters into a rock band with a unique sound. Interestingly they’ve retained much of their ukulele sound within most of these songs, which makes me question why they call themselves grunge at all. I wish I had a list of member names, but I can tell you they’re a four-piece group featuring guitar, six string bass, keys and drums. Sometimes they add ukulele or half-scale electric guitar to the mix.

“This City’s Burning” opens the EP with all guns blazing. Thick slabs of electric guitar with chords that harmonize nicely with each other, an insistent drum beat and plaintive, Sebadoh-like vocals. There’s sounds here that were probably made by taming feedback into a tuned wail, which is quite a feat. For a grunge band there’s at least twice as much going on as you’d expect, including a classic dueling lead guitar section in the middle. 

“In Six Heads About It” features the first appearance of ukulele as a lead instrument, and though the fuzz guitars and keys soon follow, there’s always room for that classic tinkling uke sound. The lead vocals have a Hozier quality. Again I’m surprised and gratified that a grunge band has taken so much time “orchestrating” their songs and arrangements. 

“The Carpenter and the Nurse” begins even further afield from grunge, featuring a lovely acoustic piano with echo’d guitar counter-melodies. The vocals feel truly vulnerable and the bass adds a perfect counterpoint. The guitars and even the piano get more assertive and powerful as the song moves along and by the end it’s a full-fledged rock tune but still with a melancholy edge. 

“Hope’s Song” concludes the album with the most intimate opening yet, starting with just ukulele and voice, then filled in with lovely chiming guitar chords and magical synth washes. This is an amazing example of Dreampop-Rock (I just made that up) with a meticulous arrangement, incredible mixing and a warm, welcoming sound. If the guys had submitted this track on its own I’d have given it a 4!

Wonderful new avenues of pop rock with just a taste of grunge. A quite promising new act!

touchthebuffalo.com

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