Dig. Sow. Love. Grow.
Alive Natural Sound Records [2012]
Fire Note Says: A warm 70's rock sound has never felt so modern on the excellent fourth long player from the Buffalo Killers!
Album Review:
Right from the opening heavy blues rock on first track "Get It" you know that Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers are back in full force on their fourth long player Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. The trio have quickly returned as this new record launches almost exactly a year from their last release titled 3 [2011]. Fans will not need to worry as the band once again brings their warm 70's vibe to the forefront on Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. with their incredibly catchy dual vocals from brothers Andy and Zachary Gabbard.
So far this may sound very similar to the effort they released last year on 3 but the Buffalo Killers bring a bit more confidence, a bit more structure and a bit more groove to Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. This increased comfort in what they do emerges here track after track. The biggest rocker on the record "Get It" politely lets off the line "I don't need yo bitchin' anymore" while the slower "Farewell" in no way can be considered a ballad as the band adds in a heavy muscular guitar as the song progresses that is intermittently interrupted with a more quiet strumming which plays out perfectly and creates a unique and sophisticated dynamic within the track.
Then there is the second track on the record "Hey Girl" which is easily one of the best songs the band has released to date as it flows flawlessly just below a mid-tempo pace. Lyrically as Gabbard sings "Hey girl, whatcha say? I'm with you all the way" the song quickly engages the listener as everyone in the audience can identify with the message and its seamless instrumentation makes it an album favorite. Vocally the song has the same smooth vibe of Stephen Stills or even Matthew Sweet which wins you over in seconds and I guarantee will have you singing along before its 4 minutes are over.
The rest of Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. follows a very consistent and solid path while it keeps the tempo balanced with swelling hooks, foot tapping moments, strong basslines and memorable vocal interludes. If you are new to the band the Buffalo Killers may not grab you with an initial listen here but make sure you give Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. a proper chance and spin because the record will just sink in. If you are already a fan Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. represents one of the Buffalo Killers best efforts yet and should be the record that gives them the exposure they most certainly deserve!
Key Tracks: "Get It", "Hey Girl", "Farewell"
Bands With Similar Fire:
CSN&Y
My Morning Jacket
The Band
Buffalo Killers: 3 [Fire Note Review 8/2/11]
Buffalo Killers Website
Buffalo Killers Facebook
Alive Natural Sound Records
-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony
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