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Review: 'BUFFALO SKINNERS, THE'
'Cease Your Dreaming'   

-  Label: 'Loose Chat Records'
-  Genre: 'Folk' -  Release Date: '15th July 2016'

Our Rating:
The Buffalo Skinners are a UK quintet whose home town is Scarborough but who are now sharing a small terraced house at the back of a fish and chip shop in Sheffield, England.

Despite their origins, they have more in common with US roots music than British folk. In complaining about working for the man at Sam's Chop House they are being (under)paid in dollars not pounds.

They are long way from the Delta Blues but that doesn't stop them singing about them. With all this faux authenticity, listeners should be warned that we are edging perilously close to Mumford & Son territory

Their foot stomping sound draws upon 60's rock & roll, folk, country, blues, soul ..... you name it, they're influenced by it!

Cease Your Dreaming is their third album and comprises 13 songs about love, death, work, travel, religion; all of life is here but, since these are young guys, not even the weightier of these topics are examined in any great depth.

With the call and response vocals, skiffle beats and lively fiddle playing, it's no surprise to learn that the band started off busking on street corners in York. The emphasis is on making an immediate impact.

The looseness and ramshackle quality of their sound is all part of the appeal, or lack of, depending on your point of view.

The communal elements of this socially orientated music extends to writing credits with all but the drummer contributing songs.

In essence, this is 'wherever I lay my hat', good time party music. This represents both the strength and limitations of the band.

It means that a happy go lucky tune like If You Don't Love Me, Somebody Else Will sounds more convincing than the tearful Goodbye To My First Love.

Having four front men makes for a down to earth sound but the energy doesn't really come across in the lacklustre recording. They probably sound better live.

The Buffalo Skinners' website
  author: Martin Raybould

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BUFFALO SKINNERS, THE - Cease Your Dreaming