Phil Campbell never wanted to be a solo artist but a few years ago, EMI insisted and a brilliant debut album called FRESH NEW LIFE was born. It was at a time when industry turbulence reigned, with record companies shedding personal, artists, and costs. As a result there was no promotion and Campbell, with his record, disappeared. A few more years passed before I eventually caught up with him by which time he had formed the band he always wanted, White Buffalo (with Hossi on bass and Evan Jenkins on drums). The three-piece band’s debut album, WAITING TO GO HOME, was wonderful and ended up in our list of the top five albums of the year. I then managed to see the band perform in Manchester play to a large audience who arrived as strangers and left as best mates. It was a stunning performance by three skilled and dedicated rock musicians. The band regularly play well-known London rock venues and have now built a core fan base, while being truly independent in writing, producing and marketing albums on their own label. A few months back, I witnessed a performance by the band in front of an uncharacteristic teenage audience (historically, the band’s fans have been in their early-twenties upwards) who couldn’t believe what they had seen and heard. Chapter three of the band’s story is about to start with the imminent release of their new album, LAST OF THE V8 INTERCEPTORS, a copy of which I received this morning. Without the massive financial support enjoyed by other great bands, White Buffalo have produced 40 minutes of rock bliss.

The album opens with Innocent, and the sound of guitar feedback building to a massive rush of full-on guitar and drums, and then the sucker punch represented by Campbell’s gut-wrenching vocal. There are few rock bands around today that can raise goose bumps, but White Buffalo is one of them. With great lyrics and a wonderful melody thrown in, this song is knockout. Hope Against Hope slows the pace, albeit with pounding drums and supreme guitar riffs intact. The hairs on the back of my neck are fully raised as I listen to the contemplative vocal solo and harmonies, another superb set of lyrics and a devastating melody. I’m also struck by excellent production that provides a vibrant clarity. The song soars to oblivion before scraping guitar strings bring it to a remarkable end. Chasing After Rain is a mesmerising rock ballad where Campbell’s voice expressively and passionately reaches heights most rock vocalists can only dream about. It’s a very beautiful song and leaves me totally convinced of its sentiments. It connects big time. The emotional express train stops again with the haunting beauty of Not Invisible, and another moving Campbell vocal assisted by acutely well-judged guitar riffs. Angel Calls opens with a wonderful solo guitar riff that seems to lift the vocal skywards. I bet you won’t have heard guitar riffs like this - they bury themselves into your being. The trick is repeated on the next track, Absence Of Love, but this time the guitar seems to be singing along with Campbell. It also has a distinct blues flavour, is dominated by improvised instrumentals, and is stunning. Undiscovered slows the pace dramatically while Campbell grabs back the vocal reins in a song with strong pop/folk sensitivities. It’s a gorgeous ballad.

The album closes on two great songs. Living Water has a mesmerising and mysterious revolving instrumental loop from beginning to end (a potential single?), while Mary Celeste has a strong, hypnotic Beatles flavour. So impressed was I with the album’s production quality, I asked the band’s manager, Dave Johnson, for an explanation. This was his response:

“The boys recorded the record all over… primarily the drums were put down in a dingy rehearsal studio, then the other parts were laid on top whilst Phil did the lead vocals in a day in a bedroom! They recorded like a bunch of hillbillie’s pretty much! We figured as long as the recorded signal was good then Matt Howe could work his magic, which is what has happened. Hmmm, as for that Living Water instrumental loop, I guess you mean the combo of a recorder and one of those old hand held keyboards that you blow through, a Melodica I think they’re called… Hossi picked one up second hand for pennies.”

And there you have it! Certainly one of the finest rock albums of the year and following in the grand tradition of DIY Indie operators such as David Gray, Damien Rice and other enlightened acts. White Buffalo have created an extraordinary album complete with lovely changes of pace and mood, and drama by the truckload. For lovers of melodic and passionate rock LAST OF THE V8 INTERCEPTORS is essential listening.

You can buy the album through the White Buffalo website: www.whitebuffalo.co.uk

4.5/5