As the last notes of "Summer" fade in and away you're left with lingering thoughts of yesterday… a peaceful, easy feeling of sorts compliments of Buffalo Tom's '95 recording of "Sleepy Eyed."

"Asides…" is the newest compilation from the entity that is Buffalo Tom-a soulful, sandy and multi-grained three member creation that washed ashore over ten years ago.

Timelessly, these eighteen songs recount the many visions of past memories-the "Asides" alluded to in the overall title showcase a band slightly left of a commercially viable center where pin-straight pop-crafted radio hits may be concerned, yet in a wholesome context, they've outdone what many of their peers have been able to do… survive.

They are the message contained within the bottle some lucky shoreline scavenger will come across and the startling discovery is made… I would liken a Buffalo Tom to something like The Go-Betweens or even a Violent Femmes sort of style, where they're not led by the neck by the hand of top 40 persistence but rather follow the spirit within themselves to produce solid earthy tones, rock and roll, fueled by folk quality acoustic rhythms, uplifting emotions and a complete sense of steadiness that's allowed them to thrive for six albums strong.

Comfortable as well alongside a Dinosaur Jr., or maybe The The, then all at once a sudden surge of restlessness spews forth, evidenced in songs like "Taillights Fade," "Enemy," or "Sunflower Suit" and heads are sent spinning making a strong case for a discontented state of heavy rock and alternative that underwrites most of the general tameness that belies most of what they do.

Interesting notes are contributed by each of the three players within the disc literature, telling a successive story with each statement-a perfect compliment to the raw energy and passion that emanates from every note played; every song sung.

Released by Beggars Banquet

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]