Bombadil – A buzz, a buzz
Bombadil is a quirky folk-pop rock band from North Carolina who will be releasing their new record, A buzz, a buzz with Ramseur Records on April 29th, 2008. This band encompasses three things I really enjoy in a folk-pop music: sweet and simple sounds, quirky lyrics, and use of unconventional instruments. This album has a good mix of sounds a la Wilco, pre-Green Weezer, the Eels. I might be as so bold to say I put them above other quirky folk pop artists such as Kimya Dawson, Antsy Pants, and Adam Green. Overall, I would describe Bombadil as spontaneous, upbeat, and freakin’ awesome.
The songs all encompass sweet melodies, and the band makes good use of different instruments to create delightful music. I love their use of the panflute, trombone, viola, banjo, xylophone (triangle?) in their music. These seemingly unconventional “non-rock” instruments really help enhance their music, as well as let it stand out from the ordinary four-instrument band. Songs like “Cavaliers” and “Johnny” demonstrate exactly what I mean.
What I find most admirable are Bombadil’s lyrics. Very quirky, from the titles (“Julian of Norwich”) to the lyrics (A lonely caterpillar tree/Stands right next to me/And it wants you for a friend to be/And maybe you can be, “Caterpillar Tree”) to the band members themselves. Bombadil are said to be excellent live performers, and a quick look on YouTube will definitely prove so (click here to check it out). I had one of their songs on repeat for hours, “One Two Three.” It is sweet, still maintains its quirkiness, but in a delightful…(dare I say, cute?) way.
Without further gushing about how great this album is, I shall end off with this: Bombadil is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something to pulls your folk pop strings that is upbeat and feel good. This album will be part of my summer playlist fo sho (and so should it be part of yers!).
Chek it:
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Thanks so much for these tracks! I keep coming back to different songs by this group and I may be falling in love with them (especially Smile When You Kiss & Johnny).