Rochester’s King Buffalo have spent a good portion of the last couple years on the road and they’re back with a sprawling new collection they’ve dubbed Longing to be the Mountain that showcases the willful growth they’ve undertaken. Really. You know I loved Orion (review here). Still do, in fact. Longing to be the Mountain, in its performance and in the writing of the material itself is absolutely on a different plane of achievement. It’s a top-ten kind of album, and it distinguishes King Buffalo‘s mode of expression as having become all the more their own. I’m dead serious. It’ll be the kind of review that I’ll end with “recommended,” and you know I don’t break that one out often.

They’re streaming a new single now to give a taste, and you can check it out at the bottom of this post. Longing to be the Mountain was produced by Ben McLeod of All Them Witches and features cover art by Adrian Dexter, also known for his work with Elder. The appearance of neither is a coincidence, since King Buffalo have toured extensively with both groups.

And speaking of touring, they’re on the road this month to Psycho Las Vegas, as the PR wire informs:

KING BUFFALO announces sophomore album “Longing to Be the Mountain”; first single streaming; North American touring begins this month

King Buffalo announces the October 12th release of its second full-length album, Longing to Be the Mountain.

From Rochester, New York, King Buffalo is the trio of vocalist/guitarist Sean McVay, bassist Dan Reynolds, and drummer Scott Donaldson. Since forming in 2013, the self-proclaimed “heavy blues” band has made its name via debut album Orion, follow-up EP Repeater, and tours with the likes of The Sword and All Them Witches.

Sophomore album Longing to Be the Mountain is an enthralling piece of work that sees King Buffalo fulfill its promise. In six songs, clocking in at 42 minutes, the band cements the style initiated on previous releases. Sure to delight fans of psych, stoner, and krautrock, Longing to Be the Mountain is timeless rock music, greater than any one genre.

Donaldson’s clean, sturdy drumming and Reynolds’ hypnotic basslines lock into grooves that propel the songs, traveling from cool, spacious zones into all-out explosive finalés. Frontman McVay mesmerizes with a haunting vocal style that commands full attention despite its sedated tone – early Pink Floyd is a reference point. Within each song, he showcases a palette of vivid guitar playing, from jangly rhythms to ripping solos.

Some songs make their point in 4 minutes or less, others sprawl out above the 10-minute mark. In either case, there is no fat to trim. King Buffalo moves with purpose. Reynolds names British Invasion bands like The Animals as an influence on him during the making of Longing to Be the Mountain, noting how he came to respect simplicity – “just playing the right notes in the right places.” With the three members in sync, songs progress steadily and fluidly, from world-weary lulls into squalls of transcendence.

King Buffalo’s music and lyrics are in harmony, both painting pictures of traveling, questing, evolving. Of the lyrics, McVay says, “The album is about searching for meaning. It’s a story about finding one’s place in an increasingly turbulent and chaotic world.” We, the listeners, are lucky to witness King Buffalo’s journey as they cruise onward and upward, leaving behind an amazing soundtrack as they go.

Longing to Be the Mountain was produced by All Them Witches guitarist Ben McLeod. It was recorded at Main Street Armory in Rochester by Grant Husselman, mixed by Sean McVay, and mastered by Bernie Matthews. Acoustic guitar throughout the album was played by McLeod. The artwork was created by Adrian Dexter. The album will be released on vinyl and CD, and digitally.

King Buffalo embarks on a North American tour in August, including a stop at Psycho Las Vegas and numerous Canadian dates. More touring will follow in the fall.

King Buffalo on tour:

Aug 15 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

Aug 16 – Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room

Aug 17 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall

Aug 18 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater

Aug 19 – Las Vegas, NV @ Psycho Las Vegas

Aug 21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge

Aug 22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Five Star Bar

Aug 24 – San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside

Aug 25 – Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver

Aug 27 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Loading Dock

Aug 28 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder

Aug 29 – Spokane, WA @ The Pin

Aug 30 – Portland, OR @ High Water Mark

Aug 31 – Seattle, WA @ Highline

Sep 1 – Vancouver, BC @ Astoria

Sep 2 – Kamloops, BC @ Grind House Cafe

Sep 4 – Calgary, AB @ Palomino Smokehouse

Sep 5 – Edmonton, AB @ Bohemia

Sep 6 – Saskatoon, SK @ Capitol Music Club

Sep 7 – Regina, SK @ Cloud 9

Sep 8 – Winnipeg, MB @ The Handsome Daughter

Sep 9 – Fargo, ND @ Aquarium

Sep 11 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Sep 12 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

Sep 13 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme

Sep 15 – Toronto, ON @ Bovine Sex Club

Tracklist:

1) Morning Song

2) Sun Shivers

3) Cosmonaut

4) Quickening

5) Longing to Be the Mountain

6) Eye of the Storm

Lineup:

Sean McVay – vocals, guitar, synth

Dan Reynolds – bass, synth

Scott Donaldson – drums

Discography:

Longing to Be the Mountain (self-released, 2018)

Repeater EP (Stickman Records, 2018)

Orion (self-released, 2016)

Electric Ladyland Redux compilation (Magnetic Eye Records, 2015)

Split w/ Le Betre (STB Records, 2015)

Demo (2013)

kingbuffalo.com

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kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com