King Buffalo
Longing to Be the MountainIt makes sense that power-trio King Buffalo’s sophomore LP, Longing to Be the Mountain, is bonded by three forces: flow, space, and, of course, heaviness.
The pace on LTBTM is much like the smooth cadence and perpetual hypnotic groove of hip-hop star NAS—it’s deliberate, powerful, and always bobbing forward like the Iron Fleet in Game of Thrones.
Space is much more prevalent than on King Buffalo’s 2016 debut, Orion. Bookend bloomers “Morning Song” and “Eye of the Storm” exude the group’s blossoming confidence (and patience)—aided with the complementary vision of fellow psych-blues warrior, producer Ben McLeod of All Them Witches (who also plays acoustic guitar on the album)—providing air for suspense, tension, and crescendoing releases.
With the added breathing room, the explosive parts build and powerfully bust through like a blues-tinged, psychedelic, kraut-rock-powered tsunami best felt in the doubled solos of “Quickening” and the thunder-cracking climax of the title track.
Must-hear tracks: “Morning Song” and “Quickening”
