Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Guardian
Buzz



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



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Myrrh Records
. Album length: 13 tracks: 41 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: 1995
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. This Old Man
  2. Lead the Way
  3. State of Mine
  4. The Lion's Den
  5. Are You Gonna Keep Your Word?
  6. One Thing Left To Do
  7. Hand of the Father
  8. Psychedelic Runaway
  9. Even It Out
  10. Lift Me Up
  11. Shorty
  12. Lullaby
  13. Them Nails
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images