Buffalo - Only Want You for Your Body. 1974 Australia

A friend recently pointed out that one of Buffalo's third album influencers was none other than Terrible Ted Nugent. They've moved on from the Sabbath inspired Volcanic Rock album and upped the pace, while maintaining a certain lascivious standard as on 'I'm a Skirt Lifter, Not a Shirt Raiser', 'I'm Coming On', and 'Kings Cross Ladies'. Great guitar leads that would make Detroit's buffalo hunter proud (hey, wait a minute...). Seriously, every stoner band worth its bong has tried to emulate Dave Tice's voice. Do not even claim to be a fan of said scene without at least paying homage to the originator. And the track 'What's Going On' predates British Steel era Judas Priest by six years.

Sadly, Buffalo would slide way downhill from here. Boogie rock was the all the rage downunda, and Buffalo succumbed. Gotta make a livin', I can understand that.

Ownership: CD: 2005 Aztec. Six panel digipak with liner notes. Includes two relevant bonus tracks.

5/27/12 (review / new entry); 1/22/24

Buffalo - Volcanic Rock. 1973 Australia

Buffalo's second album Volcanic Rock takes out the boogie rock and blues of the first album Dead Forever and leaves a damn good heavy rock album in its wake. I'd have to say it's one of the finest in the "slow burn" style, perhaps what could be considered Proto-Stoner. The album slowly turns over, making sure the marinate penetrates the meat. Pulverizing rhythms and omnipresent acid blues guitar solos define this mature hard rock work. And then we come to part 2 of the monumental final track, subtitled 'Shylock', a song which has to be considered amongst the all time great riffs in rock history. One has to think that Black Sabbath may have known this record (especially considering they toured with them in Australia during this period), as three years later they themselves released the monumental 'Symptoms of the Universe', which is remarkably similar. Absolutely essential 70s hard rock album, and Buffalo's best IMO.

Ownership: LP: 1973 Vertigo. Gatefold with poster. Swirl label. Online acquisition (2019).

CD: 2005 Aztec. Six panel digipak with extensive liner notes. They've included two live tracks (10 minutes), both of which could be considered their signature songs: 'Sunrise' and 'Shylock'.

6/3/07; 5/4/12 (new entry)