Artist: Buffalo Springfield Album: Last Time Around

Year: 1968
Duration: 16:41

Last Time Around: A Critical Review of Buffalo Springfield's Final Album

Buffalo Springfield was a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1966. The band comprised Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin. The band was together for only two years, releasing three albums before disbanding in May 1968. Last Time Around, their third album, was released six months earlier, in December 1967. This album marked the end of an era of sorts, as Buffalo Springfield was one of the foremost bands in the folk-rock scene of the 1960s. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at Last Time Around, examining the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and our overall critique of the album.

The music genre of Last Time Around is a mix of rock and roll, folk, and country. These genres are melded together seamlessly, creating a sound that is unique to Buffalo Springfield. This hybrid style of music was becoming increasingly popular in the mid to late 1960s, and Buffalo Springfield was at the forefront of the movement. Last Time Around is a fitting example of the genre, with each song displaying the band's signature mix of rock, folk, and country.

The best songs of Last Time Around are hard to narrow down as the album is consistent in its quality. However, particular standouts include On the Way Home, The Hour of Not Quite Rain, and Kind Woman. On the Way Home opens the album with a burst of energy, while The Hour of Not Quite Rain is a poignant ballad that showcases the band's ability to craft meaningful, emotional lyrics. Kind Woman, on the other hand, is a stripped-down country song that highlights the band's versatility.

The most innovative part of Last Time Around is its use of different instrumentation. Buffalo Springfield adds a variety of instruments to their sound, such as brass and string sections in Questions, and a harpsichord in Pretty Girl Why. The band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and instruments sets them apart from their contemporaries and shows their range as musicians.

Our overall critique of Last Time Around is that it is an excellent album that showcases the band's talent. The album flows well, with each track complementing the others. However, the album's only downside is that it marks the end of Buffalo Springfield. Last Time Around is a great swan song, but it is bittersweet because it's the last we'll ever hear from the band.

In conclusion, Last Time Around is a magnificent album that represents the end of an era. Buffalo Springfield was one of the most influential bands of the 1960s, and their final album is a testament to their talent. With a mix of rock, folk, and country, and innovative instrumentation, this album showcases the band's range as musicians. Last Time Around is a great album to listen to and a must-have for any fan of the band or the genre.