Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM
Band picture courtesy of Murray Kerr Photography
Just what is Bison Hip I hear you quizzingly ask. Is it a debilitating medical condition you have previously not heard of?? Is it a new form of tasty treat for your canine companion?? Well my friends I can reveal Bison Hip are in fact a quintet hailing from Glasgow formed as recently as 2020 during a lockdown Zoom video call.
Purveyors of quality blues rock music the five piece pen tunes which focus on real life stories played by real musicians using real instruments. Their debut five track EP Dear Blues And Greens was released as recently as March 2022 whilst debut album Older Stronger Better emerged in April 2023.
Long-time friends Paul Sloway (vocals), Malcolm Button (drums), Steven Radziwonik (keys), John Gilmour Smith (guitar) and Graeme Carswell (bass) extend a warm Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life on this their second full length album.
The subject of the title song is told in no uncertain terms to ‘take your money and your strong advice … Stick them away where the sun never shines’. This initial track leaves the listener in no doubt that an enjoyable 45 minutes of music lies ahead. Meaningful heartfelt lyrics such as ‘I need another guru like a hole in the head’ send the message clearly I’m better off ‘deciding what’s wrong and right’ myself and more than capable of finding my way through life without you.
With four members over 50 and youthful vocalist Sloway now reaching 40 Bison Hip are experienced enough to follow a path of their own making, emphasising the point further with a direct instruction to ‘keep your morals and your big ideas … they’ll be drifting straight out of my ears’. Button’s solid drumbeat leads into a belting Gilmour Smith guitar riff whilst Carswell’s deftness on the bass and superlative Radziwonik keys weld the unit together creating a sound as formidable as the great beast the band are named after. The band even find time to throw in a few na-na-na’s amongst the gang style vocal chants in a tip of the hat to fellow veteran rockers Bryan Adams and Thunder.
Formidable creatures they may be but bisons are no stranger to a blood sucking Parasite or two. Likewise across social media and the internet in general pests can sneak up on the unwary and try to use the hosts life force to their advantage. However Bison Hip are far from unwary as the album’s first single belts out of the stalls like a racehorse. Button pounds the drums as the guitar whips the listener into a frenzy leaving the parasite ‘clinging on for dear life’. Despite ‘a thousand likes and kisses’ there’s no pulling the wool over the eyes of this worldly-wise band of friends, the combination of wild guitar licks and funk-filled keyboard breaks forcing our unwelcome guests to release their grip and surrender.
A more laid back approach ensues as The Money displays a bluesy edge, Sloway ‘turns the aces’ as his vocals develop a melodic edge enhanced by funky soul keys. The pace once again quickens, ‘put up a white flag’, the head will be nodding and the feet tapping as you Surrender to Bison Hip. The lush organ and the stop-start punch of the drums/bass envelop you, surround you with a hypnotic mix of rock/blues before Gilmour Smith delivers the killer blow with a masterful lead break.
The centrepiece of this superb album follows with the nigh-on seven minute epic Bullfighter. A chilled out almost jazz like keyboard-rich intro creates a calming effect before the beautiful crying refrain of the guitar invites you to soar like an eagle skywards on the rising thermals. Sloway’s vocals once again create a soothing atmosphere as he starts to tell his ‘long long story’ from ‘so long ago’ when he was ‘too naive to really know’. His ‘heart full of bitterness’, ‘hands covered in blood’ he compares his feeling of desperation at a relationship breakup to that of a matador ‘slumped in the corner’ following a sorrowful battle with a bovine beast. Atmospheric, emotional, beautiful music and exceptional vocal this is a genuine musical masterpiece.
‘Lunatics take over’ and StartA Fire as unlike our ruling factions Bison Hip demonstrate their togetherness. Keys, drums, bass and guitar all playing an equal part whilst the vocals exude confidence as Sloway delivers his observations on the current state of the planet. ‘The world could be nothing but a memory soon… But give me another five shots in the arm and maybe we’ll all be immune’.
Over the years a blues song has been written to suit all kinds of people. ‘Blues For The Unforgiven‘ is dedicated to those most entitled to feel the blues. Those in a relationship who have made mistakes and are constantly reminded of them in detail despite admitting them. ‘Stop screaming’ Sloway pleads. Despite his many apologies those indiscretions, no matter how slight, are never forgotten. A typical slow blues infilled with those ever present keys and underpinned with deep bass tones and a steady drum beat which climaxes with a delightful combined guitar/keyboard break.
Radziwonik has Still Something Left In The Tank and gives his all with a superlative opening salvo of keys introduces a blues boogie which will have you snapping your fingers as you head for the dance floor. Acoustic guitar features heavily as Bison Hip pull another weapon from the arsenal. The message of the song enjoy yourself while you can. You never know if ‘you live to one hundred or get hit by a truck’. Wise words indeed.
Carswell’s bass sets a dark mood as the listener is warned Don’t Follow Me Down. ‘Take all the drama… put it down to chemicals… I don’t want to talk about it’. Follow Bison Hip’s words of advice and you will be Grateful. The ensuing slow blues showcases Sloway’s incredible vocal range as he is accompanied by acoustic guitar and harmonica.
Radziwonik welcomes the congregation into his church as he opens our final track Take It Out On Me with a final exceptional display of Hammond organ. ‘Take all the pain… all the blame… lay it all on me’ – Sloway admits he’s done wrong and accepts responsibility for his actions. ‘Don’t be checking your symptoms online’ – another quality lyric brings us full circle as we are urged to turn the page and ‘get on with your life’.
Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life – a life that is enriched by the presence of Bison Hip within it.
Website: https://www.bisonhip.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bisonhip
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bisonhip?igsh=MWI3d2g5Y2twNnhvbQ==
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bisonhip6670?si=hoMv9M2knEp-o548
Check out Bison Hip on Bandcamp where you can purchase the album https://bisonhip.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-the-rest-of-your-life
