Album Review: It's A King Thing - Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo
Weezer's 'Blue Album' and the subsequent 'Pinkerton' were some of the more influential albums of the 90s, engendering a number of power pop bands until we got to the point where there's hardly anything else than power pop and pop-punk on the front pages without anything ever coming close to the texture and genius of Weezer's early offerings. It's A King Thing, very much takes over from where 'Pinkerton' left off and should certainly fill in the emptiness that left many of us dissatisfied for years. More than half of the albums songs never reach the 3 minute mark, seemingly seeing the band go for a short but fun vibe throughout the album, which works perfectly well for them. “Old Hobbies” and “Baby Tantrum” are minimal up-tempo lite-rock numbers while “Everything Backwards” and “Mush Mouth” show the band's mellower(ish) side with pop sensibilities oozing out every pore.
What they manage is to avoid going from sounding purposely minimalistic to sounding downright lazy. Every song, mindless of the short length and simple hooks, sounds crafted and the result of a good amount of work. Picking a standout track on this album is futile, the album is glided through in thirty minutes and Juno lovers, Weezer mourners, and pop fanboys/fangirls will enjoy the sweet and soft poppiness of what genuinely sounds like the friendliest band in the world.
The only criticism that I feel could ever be pointed their way would be unfavourably comparing them to early Weezer on the level of wittiness. But if you're ready to dive in the geek-rock revival that It's A King Thing is, then this is what you'll be listening to this summer while you play Secret of Monkey Island. Oh, did I mention it's completely free and tagged with the sensational name of 'Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo' which in itself deserves a place in your iTunes?
4/5
'Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo' by It's A King Thing is available now as a free download.
It's A King Thing on MySpace
Official Website
James Berclaz-Lewis
