Search - Buffalo Daughter :: New Rock

Designer Drone Quaalude Post-Rock?

mooghead | Seattle, WA United States | 06/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having purchased this on a whim, I must say that I do find it a refreshing soundtrack to keep in the background while I engage in a variety of household activities. That said, I think this is the point of Post-Rock: Keep it minimal, interesting and explore only so much foreground. I would argue that this latest offering from Buffalo Daughter will seem much like Martin Denny-esqe exotica from the 50's in 20 yrs or so: information-age (Bachelor/ette) music to whir and hum to the veneer that covers our bland, design-driven existence."

BD is the money yo!

Peter Panagakos | Philadelphia, PA | 10/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If U dig weird analog synths mixed with all sorts of funky noise
check it out.They are amazing live 2"

Rock, all new!

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 10/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be hard to find a more fitting title for Buffalo Daughter's third album than "New Rock," except maybe "Highly Original Mind-Blowing Rock." Bulky as the second option is, it perfectly describes the outstanding electro-rock that this Japanese trio churns out, in their most polished release to date.



The title track is a wild mix of riffs, keyboards and solid beats, a guitar-and-drum rhythm that is overlaid with strangely distant vocals. The more typical rock approach continues through songs like the strange "Super Blooper" and more downbeat "Jellyfish Blues." "Socks Drugs and Rock'n'Roll" is probably the most fun of these. There's also a couple of extra songs: "Daisy," a lovely little pop song, and a longer version of "Jellyfish Blues." The longer version isn't too much better, but it is an interesting listen.



But no way have Buffalo Daughter abandoned their older sound. "R&B (Rhythm and Basement)" is a pure slice of bizarro electro-rock, and one that gets more addictive every time you listen. On the other hand, "Great Five Lakes" is a series of corkscrewing sounds over an indie riff. Aural collages like "No Tokyo" are crazy quilts of ... well, they defy description.



Buffalo Daughter blithely uses all sorts of music -- techno, a bit of blues, rock, electronica, and sound sampling that rivals the Avalanches. Yet it's the most original sort of music you can find. The only downside is that none of the songs sound like they were created by the same band. But on the other hand, there is absolutely zero monotony. Zip. Zilch.



Motoko "Sugar" Yoshinaga plays a slightly insane guitar, and Yukimo Ohno has some solid bass and keyboards. MoOog Yamamoto works his turntable/synth magic as well, and there's some guest musicians who play drums, violin, and who knows what. The result is a tangle of sounds, riffs and blips -- all mashed together. And somehow, that tangle is more fun than any of them taken alone.



One of the best things is how effortless the little sound samples are -- frogs? Toilets? Airports? Subways? TVs? Birds? Commercials? Yes, they fit in. And the lyrics are fun as well -- in case you're wondering, a "Silver Turkey" is an 18-wheeler. The vocals are strangely distant and detached -- they slip in and out of your awareness, sounding almost robotic at times.



Buffalo Daughter's music is wild and mad, and we like it that way. And third album "New Rock" is a delirious DJ's dream come true. Highly recommended."