Customer Reviews

Buzz

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Christian rockers Guardian seemed to weather the 90's alternative/grunge revolution better than most of the peers. Sure they had to modify their sound a bit, but the results - including 1995's Buzz - were impressive.

With Buzz, Guardian actually sounds like they were less influenced by Pearl Jam and Nirvana than they were bands like King's X and maybe Mr. Big. It fits the general alternative rock sound, at least in the guitar tone, but Buzz isn't an album that's going to leave you depressed and crying in your flannel shirt. It doesn't hurt that there is some fantastic guitar work here, not to mention Jamie Rowe's always incredible vocals. I miss some of the hooks and melodies of previous Guardian albums, but hey, it was the mid 90's and the album still works, only in a totally different way.

The lyrics seem a little more overtly Christian than on previous albums, but not so much that it should turn anyone off. I have to give Guardian credit for never turning their albums into a Sunday school lesson.

It's not as powerful as Miracle Mile or Fire and Love, but Buzz is still a more than worthy addition to the Guardian catalog. Obviously it will appeal more to Christian rock fans, but anyone into the King's X/Galactic Cowboys brand of rock should definitely check out Buzz.

This was an underrated album that got overlooked by their big hit earlier in 1995 with "See You In Heaven". Not saying that was a bad thing, but this was a pretty good album produced by Christian Rock Legend Steve Taylor. It's not unplugged like "See You In Heaven", but it's not quite "Fire and Love" neither. However, it still can rock. Some of the songs of interest for me: "This Old Man", "Lion's Den" "Are You Going To Keep Your Word?" and "Them Nails". I read about the review for this in CCM magazine, and they compared this with Aerosmith. I would say not quite, but it's still worth a listen to as "Are You Going To Keep Your Word" is about staying faithful in marriage after all what God brought together will not be destroyed, "Lion's Den" is a rocking good tune about the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den, and "Them Nails" talks about how every time we sin we cause Jesus to feel like he has to be crucified again and again. We who are mature Christians have to remember that Jesus died for our sins once and for all, but our world is not perfect, and so we have to remember 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins then Jesus is able to forgive us our sins. There was no sampling on this because they didn't offer it, so I will say I used to have this on cassette, so now I will have to get this on cd, and enjoy again.

While I must admit that I prefer Guardians Hard Rockin' style displayed on "Fire and love",as well as "The Miracle Mile" to this type of music,if you're going to reach out to new untapped audiences,then this is the way to go. There are some good hooks and melodies to be heard,as Guardian prove once again to be a tight unit.If you are into alternative,grunge,or whatever they call it this week,give this one a try,....it kind of grows on you,

Guardian's best AND one of Christian Music's best 10 albums of all-time. This is a VERY heavy and somewhat dark album (for top 40 Christian radio). Actually, each of the first 4 songs on this album spent time at #1 on the Christian charts. Too bad this band hasn't released anything in almost 10 years (other than BEST OF). Tony Palacios is one of the best and believe me I'm familiar with them all. This is the type of album you would want to get into the hands of a wayward soul. It looks at the hard issues in life through a clear lens, not the typical rose-colored disconnect we're used to in the Christian music scene.

i've been in the christian music scene for awhile now and these guys are defenitly one of the best.I have a christian album collection (and all of guardians cds) and there all awesome. If anyone from the band ever reads this i'd love to talk to you via the interent. later and god speed.

All joking aside, this really is a terrific collection of songs. As you listen through this CD, you can feel Guardian pulling away from its pop-metal sound and venturing into a harder alternative genre. However, there is plenty enough edge here to satisfy most intense hard-rock fans.

Once again, the guitar work of Tony Palacios leads the band from one great song to the next. Tony probably is humble enough not to make a noise about himself, but he could shred with the best (Joe Satriani (sp?), Steve Vai, etc.). The rhythm section of David Bach and Karl Ney remains solid. You will never complain about the bass guitar work nor the drumming. Of course, Jamie Rowe's talented vocals simply helps glue all of it together to make Guardian one of the best kept secrets (why a secret!) in rock-n-roll.

Using Steve Taylor as the producer is a stroke of genius. He is a gifted humorist (check out the lyrics where he contributed) and a dynamite producer. All 13 songs are gems, but the ones I like the most include: "Lead The Way"; "The Lions Den"; "One Thing Left To Do"; "Even It Out"; and "Lift Me Up".

Christ-centered themes and lyrics are throughout the CD. Some songs are more overtly Godly than others, but the lyrics guide the listener through the goodness of being under God's will or through the despair of traveling in darker circles ("Psychedelic Runaway" for example).

If you do not yet have this CD yet, then get it soon. You will not regret it!

Absolutely incredible album from these guys. After the "unplugged" sound of "Swing..." I thought we might have lost them, but they came back in spades here. "Hand of the Father" is an incredible song...well, actually, almost ALL of them are. You won't be disappointed!

I know it's pretty cheezy to give your favorite albums 5 out of 5 stars...but I honestly can't avoid it. After nailing the arena rock, hard rock, and acoustic rock genres, Guardian redefines themselves with this dark, moody, alternative-esque album. Don't let "alternative" scare you. There is more here than just power chords. Tony Palacios' guitar work is nothing short of amazing. The guy can SHRED! The entire band is outstanding on this disc, and I urge any fan of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, or even OLD Guardian to give it a chance. Steve Taylor's production is top notch, and his contribution in the lyrical department is a breath of fresh air in a world full of lyrical cliques.

Yes, it's a Christian album...but it's an honest album. The life of a Christian isn't all roses as made very clear by songs like "State of Mine", "Hand of the Father", and "Psychadelic Runaway". I can't say enough about this album. ...

Great music! Lions Den and State of Mine will knock your socks off!

Despues de tres de sus mejores discos, Guardian regresa con un sonido más moderno, En mi opinion es el tercer mejor disco de guardian. Mis rolas preferidas son "This old man" y "State of mine"