Customer Reviews

Sleepy Eyed

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

 

 

Imagine the smell of freshly cut grass, creosote and barbecue cooking. Imagine the taste of a cool beer in the evening shade, accompanied by a perfunctory spliff. Imagine Sleepy Eyed, Buffalo Tom's best album to date and stuffed with blistering anthems and cool ballads. Endlessly playable and a major improvement on the leaden Big Red Letter Day and the even worse follow up Smitten. The likes of Crueler, Sunday Night and Summer easily rank with Tailights Fade as the best Buffalo Tom songs.

if you don't already know Buffalo Tom, order a copy here. the fact that so many copies are available for under a buck is ridiculous. i was a fan of the Boston slop these guys put out when they were in undergrad, and each album just got smarter, more mature, and just plain better, until Smitten, of course, which has exactly 2 rock gems and a bunch of crap. but this is a very inoffensive and nearly flawless pop record. and it helped me get through some very difficult times around 95 and 96. get a copy in time for spring. it is an awesome summer record. then get Big Red Letter Day and Let Me Come Over. then you can decide if you're ready for the earlier, punkier, sloppier goodness.

I think I'd rate this one just a notch below Big Red Letter Day. It reminds me of John Mellencamp and (excuse me BT fans) Hootie and the Blowfish. Not great singing, but it has feeling and pathos to it.

There are some very good songs here, although 14 tracks is a bit heavy for a CD. A little more judicious use of space, keeping 10 or 11 of the best songs here, would make it a 4 star album.

Sleepy Eyed will not be entered into the long list of 'classic' albums. BT is already in that list with their debut album and also with 'Let Me Come Over'. Sleepy Eyed has no bad songs and it a lot of fun listening to. The jumpy Tangerine, It's You and Kitchen Door are great songs. Great thing is that they made songs that sound great, but are easy as well and that's a gift. 4 of 5 basic chords but it sounds like Buffalo Tom.

The opening riff of Sunday Night is great and the song itself is not bad. It makes you want to shout along with Bill Janovitz, and you probably will.

I enjoyed this album, it being introduced to me by a friend and therefor the first time I heard Buffalo Tom. Sunday Night, Sparkler, and Summer were some major high points for me. However, for me the gem on this album was Twenty Points. Incredible song. Anyhoo, the reason I like the whole album is that the lyrics are great, and I love the sound of the guitar. If I had to pick one song to kick off, though, it would be Your stripes. I don't really know why, it just doesn't seem on par with the rest. The rest of the album is most excellent!! Give it a shot!

This is by far the best album put out by Buffalo Tom. Of all the albums I have played for friends, this is the only one with a 100% success ration. That being said, I belive that Buffalo Tom's appeal spreads beyond just my own opinion.

A combination of alternative and pop, Buffalo Tom's sound is what bands such as Third Eye Blind have buil themselves upon. If you are a fan of either genre, this is a surfire album.

This Buffalo Tom effort is up there with "Big Red Letter Day." In fact the most striking thing about this is the large number of tracks featuring Chris Colbourne on lead vocal. He and Bill Janovitz obviously give the band a different sound. Each do a great job of handling the band's angry but literate songs. "Crueler" and "Twenty Points" give a good contrast of their approaches. Buffalo Tom continues to evolve with this album. Unfortunately their follow up effort, "Smitten," left me thinking "so what?" But "Sleepy-Eyed" and "Big Red Letter Day" are two of the best albums I've ever bought.

The top trio in disco has done it again. Bee-Gees watch out!

Sleepy Eyed is a GREAT album. The first 4 songs are among the best in Buffalo Tom's entire catalog. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the guys to come out with such a strong release. They retain their melodic instincts but rock throughout the album. Tangerine (Bill's) and Kitchen Door (Chris's) are highlights. The heart is still worn on the sleeve - I like that.

I still don't understand why they aren't more popular (their uninspiring videos probably don't help). They need a Soul Asylum-ish major label push/investment. Hey Sony, are you listening?

Irish Indie music "2FM" radio Presenter Dave Fanning rated this is as the #1 best album between 1995 and 1998.

What does that mean?

Plenty since this guy was co-founder of U2 and helped launch their career.

BT is nothing like U2 but listen to "Summer" from this CD and you will see how catchy they are. This is an A+ album. All the tracks are fantastic. It will have you hooked.