A Family Light
Strolling Bones, 2023
9/10
A record that was overlooked when it came out, this re-release of the Houston outfit Buxton’s early album is available on vinyl for the first time, in celebration of its 15 year anniversary.
The very dreamy “Mane Of Gold” begins the listen with a haze of light acoustic guitars and harmonic vocals, and “Westward” follows with swift mandolin acrobatics and hard hitting drums that make for a bluegrass friendly appeal.
Elsewhere, “Each Horse With A Name” is focused on mood via the ambient noises that segue into crisp indie-rock textures, while “Blood On The Streets” carries a soulful rock appeal that’s even a bit psychedelic.
“Shake Your Head” and “Living Room” exit the formal listen, where the former burns slow with a poetic, folk delivery, and the latter is a louder moment of gritty, passionate folk-rock. Of the 2 bonus tracks, “Feathers” is especially memorable, and builds into a melodic and driving formula of ‘Cosmic Gumbo’.
A record that has aged very well, the songs here might closely resemble indie-folk, but it’s of the most unconventional kind, and a big piece of the excellent catalog of music that belongs to Buxton.
Travels well with: Natalie Price- Natalie Price; Amy Stroup- Since Frank