Artist Info:Discography Album length: 13 tracks: 41 minutes, 50 seconds Street Date: 1995
In 1995, acclaimed metal quartet Guardian knew it was time for a change. The guys teamed with the creative
genius of producer Steve Taylor to reinvent their sound. The band had just come out of a frustrating experience with their
side project Swing Swang Swung, a unique acoustic/folk record that ended up confusing, shocking, and virtually
terrifying a lot of their fans. Although that album had produced some memorable offerings, fans misunderstood
the release as a new direction for the band. Buzz was poised to set the record straight.
Opening the record with a commanding guitar riff, "This Old Man" used familiar imagery to paint a picture of dying
to our flesh to arise a new creation in Christ. Bearing a significantly less typically heavy metal sound,
the new modern rock approach was a beautiful fit, even leaving plenty of room for guitarist Tony Palacios's
signature solos to remain. "Lead The Way" was easy rock radio single material while the album shifted drastically
(but not inappropriately) to the subject matter of depression for "State Of Mine." "The Lion's Den" followed,
a catchy anthem on faith, and was succeeded by the sensitive "Are You Gonna Keep Your Word," a song about
remaining faithful in marriage. The deliciously dark sounds of "One Thing Left To Do" complimented the
slow and eerie "Hand of the Father," a song written from the eyes of a soldier in the Civil War who's
lying on a battlefield dying and being beckoned toward heaven.
"Psychedelic Runaway" pulls an about-face, a more upbeat rocker that blends a 60's element into the
band's new modern rock explorations, complete with flawless harmonies. "Even It Out" boasts a thick
bass line before breaking into the light rock sounds of the worshipful and prayerful "Lift
Me Up." The album isn't without its weaker moments unfortunately, as it comes to a slightly unremarkable
and disappointing finish with the slightly cheesy "Shorty," the pretty ballad "Lullaby,"
and the brief and sorely misplaced southern rocker "Them Nails." If the album had been shaved
down to 11 tracks (sans "Shorty" and "Them Nails") with "Lullaby" as the closer, it would have been a near-perfect rock record.
As it stands, Buzz was a brilliant new direction for Guardian. Although it wasn't received
as well as it should have been since it's always difficult for bands' fans to accept their attempts to change
with the times, Buzz was possibly the strongest moment in Guardian's catalog of music. And with
the promise they displayed on Buzz, and developed further with Bottle Rocket, it's a shame they
quit doing music together a few years later. Despite being released almost eleven years ago now, Buzz
remains a solid rock record that still sounds good today.
- Review date: 3/13/06, written by John DiBiase
Artist Info:Discography Record Label: Myrrh Records
Album length: 13 tracks: 41 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: 1995
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Artist Info: 
