Barbudos

Earlier this month, Barbudos released their self-titled debut album — 10 songs ranging in style but with enough definition to hold listeners’ attention at gunpoint like some kind of crazy, bearded revolutionary.

Some of it might sound familiar, but it’s a tried and true formula and this five-piece is having fun with it. Their lack of a direction might seem disappointing, but unlike their Cuban counterparts, I don’t think these Barbudos want anything more than to seize the moment and free the music trapped inside themselves. Taking Best New Band at the 2013 Niagara Music Awards, Barbudos shows us why it’s OK to let loose and have a little fun.

Incredible Guitar Solos
The album’s opening track, Getting Older, starts with an old-time Johnny Cash feel but quickly moves into the modern day with a few nice guitar licks and poppy backing vocals. One of the album’s best moments is during an energetic ending that features a short but incredible guitar solo that flaunts its botched notes as well as its perfect ones.

Then there’s Hard Times, the minimalist surf-rock track that mixes razor-sharp edge with silky, bubblegum smoothness. The contrast between the crooning male vocals and the soft female vocals is reminiscent of another hot band, July Talk. The difference is the underlying feeling throughout Barbudos’ offering is fun rather than anxiety and suspense.

Resonating Lyrics
Last Night I Fell is another surf-rock offering, leaving out all the unnecessary fluff and focusing instead on the all-important meat and potatoes. The vocals carry this song about reaching the brink of insanity, and for the first time on the album, the lyrics resonate. The band is at its best with fuzzy leads and heavy percussion, suggesting The Brian Jonestown Massacre with Meg White on drums. New Orleans continues with the ‘90s vibe, evoking the energy of The Headstones.

The hump track, Dryin’ Out, is the heart and soul of the album. The guitar and keyboards trade off on a southern groove that will have you bobbing your head and smiling. Impossible Art and Riverside show off the band’s eclectic sensibilities with the seamless combination of blues, folk and country, but Chinese Tattoos marks the album like a bad tramp stamp.

The band recovers quickly with Defend, an up-beat track about standing up for oneself, before closing out the album with an epilogue on finding love at the Valley Way Motel in Niagara Falls, the band’s hometown. Tying up the loose ends, Valley Way Motel confirms what I’ve been thinking all along — the storybook love of Barbudos isn’t about supreme beauty or perfection, but rather being happy with what you’ve got.

Unprententious Soulfulness
My favourite thing about Barbudos is that it’s unpretentious. The production has a modern glossiness to it, but the band manages to bring out a black-and-blue eyed soulfulness in between all the fun.

You can download the band’s full-length debut at www.barbudos.ca.

Top Track: Last Night I Fell - Rock Our Town

CD reviews
Barbudos – Self-titled
The debut from Niagara Falls' Barbudos can be best described in two words -- refreshingly untrendy.
And that's a good thing in a market filled to the brim with the scores of Justins, Mileys and Katys. There's a lot to take in from what is an eclectic package put together by the quintet of seasoned musicians. It's a sort of musical gumbo so to speak. There's some roots music along with a little Credence Clearwater Revival with maybe even a little Black Crows and Tom Petty thrown in.
Finally, here's some music that isn't being made for tweens.
Some solid music chops are brought to the table as well. Right from the opening track "Getting Older", the Barbudos get into a groove that continues throughout the CD's 10 tracks.
Standouts are "Last Night I Fell", "New Orleans", "Hard Times" and "Chinese Tattoos". Even at that, it's really tough to pick a few out of a group of stellar songs.
Together just a little over a year, the group is already racking up accolades, as it copped the Best New Group Award at the 2013 Niagara Music Awards. The new label is a little bit of a misnomer, as band members Nathan Warriner (bass/vocals), T.J. Rogers (drums), Dale Romanuk (guitar/vocals), Eli Maiuri (Guitar/vocals) and Tam Maiuri (vocals/percussion) are all seasoned pros who have spent time as solo performers or members of other groups including The Waxbills.
For the uninitiated, the real Barbudos were Cuban revolutionaries – the name means The Bearded Ones — and in a way, this collective is the same, staging its own revolution in an attempt to overthrow the conventions of what passes for pop music. - Niagara Life Magazine

So, what's in a name.

If you're the Barbudos there is a story, but they're not telling.

"We don't want to give away the secret," bassist Nathan Warriner said with a chuckle as the band gathered at the High-lite Restaurant on Queen Street to talk about the upcoming release of its self-titled first album.

The band will be marking the CD's release on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Falls View Hose Brigade at 5786 Dunn St. in Niagara Falls. Also on the bill are The Kerouacs and Phantom 309. Tickets are $10 and include a copy of the CD. Doors open at 8 p.m.

"It's an eclectic collection of tunes," said Tam Maiuri, who handles percussion and vocal duties for the quintet. "It's hard to nail down."

In fact, the group has spent more than a year rehearsing and refining its sound before going public.

"We were in the studio for about a year," Warriner said. "We're starting to show our faces in public now."

The album was recorded at the AudioMat in Niagara Falls. The result is a sound that reflects different influences brought to the band by its various members, he added.

"It comes from all over," Warriner said. "Even our own tunes are influencing our other songs."

Listening to the CD, it's hard to pin down a particular "sound" for the band. At one moment it sounds roots rock oriented. Next there's snippets that recall Tom Petty.

"This album was already written (with songs coming from various members)," said guitarist Dale Romanuk. "Now what we're doing is more of a group effort."

While all of the musicians are veterans of the local music scene, for two of them, husband and wife Tam and Eli Maiuri, it is the first time the pair have been working in a group context.

"I think it's great to work with this group of guys," Eli said.

"That's because I'm pretty awesome," Warriner said with a laugh.

In addition to the Niagara Falls CD release, the band will also be playing at the Detour Music Hall at 88 St. Paul Street in St. Catharines along with Polish band Chemia on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

And that name? Barbudos were Cuban revolutionaries — the bearded ones.

Now the secret is out.

More information on the Barbudos can be found at www.barbudos.ca. - Niagara This Week