Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Backhand Deals

Now the most common and most widespread UK bird of prey, the Buzzard is ubiquitous with power, predation… and ‘70s glam rock? Cardiff rockers Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard lean on nostalgia and the swelling emotions therein to deliver debut album proper, ‘Backhand Deals’, bursting with intentional bombast and flirtatious sarcasm. Kicking off with ‘New Age Millennial Magic’, the Buzzards dive straight in. It’s socio-political commentary drenched in sardonicism, and bursting at the seams with electric fervour. Vocalist Tom Rees imparts his wisdom with humour: “Like a poor old cow has to graze all day, just to stay alive but ends up slaughtered anyway, it’s tragic.” ‘Crescent Man vs Demolition Dan’ is the common man’s anthem, complete with stabbing guitars, jubilant singalong-ability and finished with indulgent duel guitar solos and exuberant harmonies. Drummer Ethan Hurst is both talented and entertaining, always keeping his sticks up, prepared for the gleeful attack of ‘Demolition Song’, the bouncing thud of ‘A Passionate Life’ or the salacious sway of ‘On The Kill Again’ at any one time. Tom levels up from enthralling vocalist to playful narrator, lending his thoughts about the wiles and woe of modern life, like the critical ‘Conformity’s the function of celebrity” in ’Good Day’. His lyrics are sharp and biting, but the pace of each track never gives you quite enough time to digest it. Each track is succinct, with only the slow dance number ‘Yourself’ breaching the five minute mark. A masterclass in reinventing ‘70s rock for a ‘20s audience, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard are a captivating oddity.