Avi Buffalo - more then congratulations

Reading the Last.fm list of similar artists to Avi Buffalo I was dismayed to see that MGMT did not make the catalogue. Avi’s space rock vocals and catchy melodies are arguably the best thing since MGMT’s 2008 Oracular Spectacular. One could go as far to say that Congratulations was the missed MGMT follow up and Avi’s self titled debut was the cut we were all waiting for; hell, even the CD jackets have similar abstract surfer motifs. Yet, one shouldn’t go too far with that opinion as the girl at the record store boasted Congratulations was not only as good as MGMT’s first album, but “waaay’ better”.

Whether you agree with the record store employee or not is of no consequence to Avi Buffalo. The California natives manage to capture the feel of the golden state with their sweet laidback sound that drives a mature energy not expected from kids born in the 90’s. Where the Irish band the Thrills sang about Big-Sur with a tourist vibe, Avi sounds seasoned like Mordecai Richler in all his early satirical novels. Signed with Sub-Pop I’m convinced they must know somebody that knows somebody, because it’s nearly impossible to get a major label deal that young and only after playing a handful of shows in Long Beach. If you haven’t heard this gem yet, check out What’s in it for? and tell me you’re not itching to take a road trip down Highway 1.