Buffalo Springfield formed in 1966 when Canadian Neil Young teamed up with American Stephen Stills in Los Angeles to form the new group. The band then then released their self titled debut later that same year. First single, “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing”, is one of Young’s songs sung by guitarist Richie Furay. The song is a melancholy track with a mournful harmonica about Young’s then stalled career – “who’s putting sponge in the bells I once rung?” Chiming guitars opens “Flying On The Ground Is Wrong” on another emotional song about losing friends while doing drugs, “I’m sorry to let you down/But you’re from my side of town/And I miss you”. Young shows his versatility at a young age when he takes over vocals on the grittier second single, “Burned”.
Many tracks are in the style of the burgeoning country or folk rock scenes that the band was helping to create. “Go and Say Goodbye” has that sound but there is also a tinge of a British influence on the Stills written song about a friend breaking up with a girlfriend. It also shows on the pop rock of “Sit Down I Think I Love You” where Stills sings the 60s ode to love that “I get high just being around you”. Elsewhere, the dueling guitars of “Everybody’s Wrong” is terrific.
The album was originally released in December of 1966 but was later reconfigured and re-released in March 1967 after the Stills written “For What It’s Worth” became a top ten hit in the US. The protest song written during LA riots of young people gathering late into the night has become a mainstay in popular culture when recreating scenes of the 60s counter culture. The song is recognizable right from the first chord with Stills perfect, deep delivery and a chorus that turns it into an anthem. The self titled Buffalo Springfield album is a mid 60s classic.
9/10
The Light Appears 