Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo
Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo is the fourth studio album released by the American skate punk/punk rock band MxPx in 1998. The album title was taken from a letter that a fan had written to the band, complaining that the band was changing, and, "Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo".[1]
Background
Due to the success of MxPx's "Chick Magnet", from their previous album Life in General, the band signed a multi-album contract with A&M.[2] A&M had previously signed a deal with Tooth & Nail to co-market Life in General.[2] This market deal was "cobbled together in order to sign the band", according to A&M chairman Al Cafaro.[2]
Composition and recording
Moving away from the "clean straightforward pop" sound of Life in General, the band "dirtied things up a little", according to vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera, for Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo.[2] The band refrained from making the album "sound like it was produced in a lab."[2] Greg Hetson of Bad Religion has guest vocals on "The Downfall of Western Civilization".[2]
Release
To generate hype, A&M picked 1,000 of the band's fans and sent them a CD of songs from the album, from April to June 1998.[2] Despite the band's sizable fan base, the label was not approaching the album with high expectations.[2] The vice president of A&M estimated the album would easily achieve 100,00 in sales.[2] On May 6, "I'm OK, You're OK" was sent to modern rock radio stations.[2] The band supported Bad Religion on their tour of Europe in May.[2] Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo was released on June 16 through A&M.[2] From June 30, for five weeks, the band played on the 1998 edition of Warped Tour.[2] In August, the band supported Blink-182.[2]
Reception
The album charted at number 99 on the Billboard 200[6] and at number 2 on the Top Contemporary Christian chart.[7] It certified gold in January 2000 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[8]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Mike Herrera, and arranged by MxPx.
| 1. |
"Under Lock and Key" |
2:32 |
| 2. |
"Tomorrow's Another Day" |
2:47 |
| 3. |
"The Final Slowdance" |
1:59 |
| 4. |
"I'm OK, You're OK" |
2:39 |
| 5. |
"Cold and All Alone" |
2:07 |
| 6. |
"Party, My House, Be There" |
2:16 |
| 7. |
"The Downfall of Western Civilization" |
2:42 |
| 8. |
"Invitation to Understanding" |
2:33 |
| 9. |
"Fist vs Tact" |
1:11 |
| 10. |
"What's Mine Is Yours" |
3:44 |
| 11. |
"Self Serving with a Purpose" |
2:48 |
| 12. |
"For Always" |
3:12 |
| 13. |
"Set the Record Straight" |
2:57 |
| 14. |
"Get with It!" |
1:44 |
| 15. |
"Inches from Life" |
1:51 |
| 16. |
"The Theme Fiasco" |
3:10 |
Total length: |
40:29 |
Credits
- MxPx
- Additional musicians
- Ronnie King — keyboard
- Greg Hetson — lead guitar on "The Downfall of the Western Civilization"
- Dale Yob — vocals on "I'm Ok, You're OK"
- Jeff Bettger — screams on "Fist vs. Tact" and "The Theme Fiasco"
|
- Production
- Artwork
- Marina Chavez — photography
- Mitch Tobias — photography
- John Nissen — illustrations
- Luke W. Midkiff — illustrations/ video direction
|
Chart positions
Music videos
References
- Citations
- Sources
- McGovern, Brian Vincent (September–October 1998). "Album Reviews: MxPx Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo". HM Magazine (73). ISSN 1066-6923.
- Reece, Doug (May 23, 1998). "A&M Rounds Up Existing Fan Base For MxPx's 'Buffalo' Set". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 110 (21). ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Top Contemporary Christian". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 110 (27). July 4, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510.
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| | | | Studio albums | |
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| | Live albums | |
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| | Compilation albums | |
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| | EPs | |
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| | Video albums | |
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| | Singles | |
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| | Related articles | |
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[3]