Contrary to popular belief, Boston’s Buffalo Tom never actually broke up — the band became family men (vocalist/guitarist Bill Janovitz also issued two solo efforts), but they were never far away from what brought them together just 20 years ago. After a nine year hiatus, the earnest alt rockers return with Three Easy Pieces, the trio’s seventh album to date, and long-awaited follow up to 1998’s Smitten. All three original members — Janovitz, Chris Colbourn (bass/vocals), and Tom Maginnis (drums) — appear primed to impart their raucous, reliable hooks unto a new generation, and they do a mighty solid job on the lighthearted “September Shirt.” Really, it’s classic Buffalo Tom to the core, with bouncing bass, a snappy almost-alt-country lead guitar line, and Janovitz’s impassioned-meets-off-kilter vocals. Its optimistic drive makes you wonder if it was accidentally left off of the accompanying soundtracks for generation-defining alt rock-era films such as Singles and Reality Bites. Presently ruling rockers a la the Hold Steady ought to bow down to Buffalo Tom for preserving and reviving the sounds of rootsy rock & roll that’s loud, fast, and uncompromising. Three Easy Pieces easy does it via Ammal/New West this week. SAMANTHA PROMISLOFF
Now Hear This:
Buffalo Tom – “September Shirt” DOWNLOAD MP3
On the Web:
Buffalo Tom at MySpace
buffalotom.com
Talk: Will you try on Buffalo Tom’s “September Shirt?”
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