buva’s latest full-length album All This Humming sets a new standard for homemade, radio-friendly pop beamed in from a bygone era.
The solo project of Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Tom Wolfe, buva blends the horn-rimmed sophistication of Elvis Costello with the jubilant optimism of McCartney’s solo albums. Wolfe wrote all the music, played nearly all the instruments and sang all the songs on All This Humming. It’s a rush of good vibes and tight arrangements, a sonic trip bolstered by Wolfe’s memorable lyrics and creative production.
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania Dutch country, Wolfe obsessed over records as a kid with the passion of a true believer. “The Beatles, ELO, Todd Rundgren, Queen, XTC, and The Who were all important to me”, Wolfe says. “I was one of those music geeks who read the liner notes of every album.” Such attention to detail paid off when he relocated to Los Angeles and met Peter Farrelly, soon to be of the Farrelly Brothers fame, who asked him to supervise the music for his new film, Kingpin. “I told him I didn't know what a music supervisor did”, Wolfe recalls. “He said, ‘Just find me great songs.’”
Finding the right song to underscore the mood quickly led to him being in demand with credits including The 40 Year Old Virgin, Donnie Darko, and There’s Something About Mary among many others. In 2006, he scored the indie film Special, a psychological thriller starring Michael Rappaport that made its debut at Sundance in January. Wolfe also continued to develop his songwriting chops, endlessly cutting tracks at his home studio. He eventually shared his demos with producer Andy Chase (Ivy, Tahiti 80) who loved what he heard and came on board for buva’s 2003 debut, a five-song EP titled Daydream. The EP received play from renowned DJ Nic Harcourt from KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic.
All This Humming represents a leap forward for buva. The 13 new tracks were mixed by Bryan Cook (Inara George, Michael Andrews) at Michael Andrews’ Elgonix studio and feature tasty guitar work by Lyle Workman (Beck, Frank Black, Jellyfish). Loopy illustrations from LA animator/designer/poet Geoff McFetridge round out the package, building on the theme of Wolfe’s homestyle production methods.
From the sun-kissed stanzas of “Out of My Mouth“ to the single-worthy blaze of “Something That I Need to Hear,” the songs are driving and direct, echoing both Revolver-era Beatles and vintage Beach Boys, but without a hint of maudlin sentimentality. And on “Just Step Away,” Wolfe opts for the scenic route, trading guitar-based power-pop for the wide-screen vistas of Hollywood symphonics. Mellotron and glockenspiel unfold in panoramic bliss, quietly reminiscent of Jon Brion’s themes for films like Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love. If you’re not moved, you’re not listening.
Like the humming of a well-worn turntable or the buzz from a magical amp, Wolfe’s songs feel familiar yet fresh, comforting yet ready to explode with new information. His melodic pop transmissions flow from the center of the galaxy, circle the planets and hover like shadows in the four corners of your mind.
It’s buva’s All This Humming. And it’s something that we all need to hear. |
