Customer Reviews

Positive Friction

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Take a little bit of Nashville, mix it with Kingston, New Orleans and San Francisco, then add a sprinkling of an upbeat 80's sound. What do you get? Donna the Buffalo - the world's greatest band! This 4th cd of theirs is a real winner. It has a slightly less produced sound than their other cd's, presenting the band in a way that is closer to what you'll hear at their live shows. The songwriting by both Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear is outstanding, as is usual with these artists. And as those who love this band have come to expect, the musicianship on the cd is excellent. Musically, two things stand out that make this cd different from the band's previous releases: Tara plays little or no accordion here, which lessens the Zydeco influence on the band's sound; and Jeb plays pedal steel guitar on several songs, something which he's done a little of on previous work but which is really highlighted here. The cd opens with "No place like the right time",a lilting country style song by Tara that shows off her beautiful voice. Next comes "Movin' On" by Jeb, an up-tempo and sort of hard-edged number with a strong beat and engagingly nihilistic lyrics. Next is "Yonder", by Tara, a song that seems to offer her reflections on the wisdom of yearning for things. The fourth cut is a candidate for the best one on the cd, in my opinion: it's "Riddle of the Universe" by Jeb. This song is one of those that highlights his pedal-steel playing, and it has one of my favorite lyrics ever: 'Let's build a fortress of happiness by the river with all of the happiness that we can find'. There is a light-hearted feel to this song that reminds me of some of The Band's work. I love it! Next we get a Tara song called "Front Porch". One of the best things about this band is the way they blend many different styles of music together. This song brings out the best of their reggae side; believe it or not, I compare its feeling to the best of Marley's work. Following this are two songs that really go together: "In another World" and "Revolution". I can't say enough good things about these songs. "In another World" shows Jeb at his metaphysical best as a lyricist, and it's persistent beat provides a great background for some extended instrumental jams. "Revolution" is one of those simple but powerful songs that just works. It has a calypso feel to it, and the question it raises about the revolution is a powerful one: "could it be the seeds are growing inside of you?" Great stuff, mind-blowing really. What follows this is a very strong Tara song, "Family Picture". This is a straight-ahead rock song with a compelling beat. After this comes the title track, really a gem. If any song off of this album gets Donna the Buffalo more exposure it will be this one. "Positive Friction" has a rhythm that reminds me of some African music, with a heavy accent placed on the first beat of each measure. And once again Jeb comes through with fantastic lyrics, very positive indeed: "Positive friction, under the upper-crust/What does all this Hollywood really have to do with us?/True grit, timeless love, there's no reason to pretend/Let's get together and become natural once again." This is one of those timeless gems that just makes you want to get up and dance. After this comes "Man of Constant Sorrow", a traditional country tune sung by Jim Miller, the band's second guitarist (and Tara's husband). Jim has a great singing voice and acquits himself quite admirably here. The song is a great example of how the feeling of reggae colors a lot of what this band is about - even in a country setting. Track 11 is "I wish you love", a song by Tara that the band released on years ago on a self-produced tape. It's nice to hear the updated version of this song. It has a very light, almost calliope-like feeling to it. Then we get "Arrows Pointing Sideways", another upbeat Jeb song that is both highly danceable and filled with great lyrical observations. I always get the feeling with Jeb's lyrics that the guy is seriously keyed in to the absurdity of our life here on earth but is eager and willing to make light of it all anyway. This song seems to be about how nothing is really clear to us, the mixed signals we get from life being just like "arrows pointing sideways". It hopefully raises the refrain, "maybe things will be better next time around". The disc closes with "Your way Home", a hauntingly beautiful song by Tara (with some lyrics by Jeb too). So all in all a great album by a great band. If you like to dance you need to see this band live. "Positive Friction" has less open-ended jamming than the band puts into its live shows. But it's a very powerful statement by this band out of upstate New York, a cd that certainly deserves to get a lot of airplay and will hopefully bring them more attention than their previous releases. Get it today and join the growing herd!

I first saw this band at Riverbend in Chattanooga and my cynical musical heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe I was hearing music this original, this fun, this RIGHT. I am a wandering pilgrim of a Deadhead, and I have been so disappointed in all the vane attempts other bands have made to try to capture that musical magic that it has left me wondering if there was any music out there that would ever grab my attention again. Phish was sophomoric and forgettable, ditto moe., Widespread Panic completely escaped me, etc. etc. These bands would pop up on the horizon, offer lame lyrics and forgettable monotonous melodies, and I wondered if any band could get it right. Well, Donna the Buffalo got it right.

This is a great album to start with, in my opinion. I did, and I'm a serious fan now. The music is so incredibly addictive and listenable that it didn't leave my CD player for weeks after I got it. They can (gasp!) write gorgeous melodies!! They can (imagine!) construct interesting and poetic lyrics that actually make sense! I couldn't believe my ears. Music I hummed again, all day long. Little turns of phrase that crept into my speech and thoughts. What a refreshing thing.

Try this band out on this or any other of their discs. This one is as good as any. But I've never heard a band (except for one) that had this much quality stuff to lay on the table. Enjoy, and eat hearty.

I'm going to disagree with my fellow Rochesterian and say that this is a good DTB album with which to start, if you haven't heard them before. It was recorded live in the studio, so it managed to capture the headlong-but-relaxed feel of their live shows better than any previous album.

The title cut, "Positive Friction", is one of the best Jeb Puryear songs yet. He generally comes up with at least one anthemic epic per album (e.g., "Conscious Evolution" on Rockin' in the Weary Land and "Mystic Water" on The Ones You Love) and this is the brawniest one yet.

In this band Tara writes the pop songs and Jeb writes the rock songs. They are both excellent songwriters and the polarity of their styles is part of what broadens the appeal of the band and also creates the tension that is at least part of what makes their live shows worth seeing.

DTB beat the Coen Brothers to the punch with their re-recording of "A Man of Constant Sorrow" and Jim Miller does as good a job with the song as Norman Blake did on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Check out DTB's website to pick up their new double live CD. Then you will *really* know what all the fuss is about.

Living on the northern range it's not unusual to see buffalo! But DONNA THE BUFFALO now there is something seldmon seen on the northern range. This 6 piece electric acoustic herd takes you on a journey through old-time appalachian music and then links you up with Ralph Stanley and then just for good measure adds some Bob Marley. POSITIVE FRICTION connects rock reggae and folk zydeco ... with lots to listen to in between. DONNA THE BUFFALO are hot as a prairie fire. This is something fun on a Saturday night sitting on the front porch watching the buffalo. They mix old and new and tie themselves together with comfortable rhythms and technical skill. Keep this CD in the front of your collection because you'll play it lots! So show me a home where the buffalo roam ... and this CD will be ready you. And did I mention the cover ... it's good too!

If you like The Rankins, Emmylou Harris, Tish Hinojosa, reggae, folk, country-rock, eclectic rhythms, and a truely contemporary American sound than this cd is for you. Positive Friction is a refreshing departure from the norm. From Tara Nevins' gentle, honest vocals and song writing to the groups affection for mixing unlikely genres' this recording promises that you will leave it in your player for a long time.

Donna the Buffalo are like Dylan meets the Wailers via Louisiana and Appalachia. On this record, they manage to capture almost perfectly the wonderful, warm, homey rhythm that is really their main appeal. I don't care for most "jam" type music, but the thing that makes this music irresistable is the fact that the deep grooves and improvisational parts never lose the sense of the main tune that everything is built around. The music is, on some level, always pretty. It is also an ineffable combination of so many American genres of music that fans of country, reggae, rock, any branch of American folk music, and zydeco music will all find something familiar.

Now, about "Positive Friction" in particular: Donna the Buffalo is a band to hear live. That's the truth. BUT this album does manage to translate the energy and sound of the band live into very enjoyable snapshots. All of the elements are there, and it is hard to pick out a standout song. "No Place Like the Right Time" mixes a rich sense of harmony with a kind of country wistfulness that contrasts nicely with Tara Nevins' other more groove-based songs on the record. "Positive Friction" is a good example of the band's really striking sense of rhythm that encorporates a tonal breadth. With a booming bass guitar note marking the beginning of each chorus and the higher sounds of the washboard mixing with the drums, the beat of this song is as important and as recognizable as the tune itself.

As my final recommendation, I just need to say that this is also a hopeful, happy thing to listen to, even if some of the songs deal with sad or angsty subjects. The music is also a rich, generous celebration of rural America which, being from here and living here still, I can relate to and really like.

I'm a huge fan of Donna the Buffalo - I got turned on to the band in '94, and have enjoyed dozens of their shows since. I consider the yearly GrassRoots Festival they sponsor in Trumansburg a "can't miss" event. However, this album doesn't really do it for me. There are definitely some nice moments here, but overall, this effort is a cut below the stellar work on all three of their earlier discs. "Positive Friction", "I Wish You Love", and "No Place Like the Right Time" are good songs, just not instant heart-melting classics like I've come to expect over the years. The writing throughout this CD seems a little forced, and some of the tunes are just trying too hard to find a groove. The one notable exception is the closing track "Your Way Home", an achingly beautiful Tara ballad that ranks with anything the band has recorded to date. Donna is one of the hottest live acts around, and their first three albums rank among my all-time favorites, so I'll cut them some slack for the step down this time. On an unfortunate note, superb keyboardist Joe Thrift recently left the band for other musical pursuits. He will certainly be missed, but Donna continues to make righteous music in his absence. By all means, go see this band live, and buy their stuff (including "Mule to Ride", Tara's top-notch solo disc). I would just advise anyone new to the band to listen to their earlier albums first, especially "Rockin' in the Weary Land", a true desert island selection.

I first heard No Place Like the Right Time two years ago on a college radio station from Hartford, CT WWUH. I just had to know who this was singing this wonderful song. Luckily WWUH can be heard on the internet [...] and I was able to get the playlist that morning. I immediately bought Positive Friction and after listening to the album, I had to have it all.
I am now a 100% devoted DTB fan and I can't get enough. I am eagerly awaiting their next album. If you have the opportunity to see them live you will be totally mistified as I was at the Rhythym and Roots Festival where I first saw them. They are by far the best fun band out there right now in my opinion.

If you like any type of American roots music, you will have a great time with this CD. Displaying wonderful dips into the styles of Cajun, Zydeco, Rock, Country, Blues, etc. this band not only rocks, but crafts wonderful songs, both lyrically and melodically. The best "unknown" band I know of.

Ilove this cd. I love her voice! what a good kick back, kinda mellow, kinda groovy music. I would love to see these guys live.