The Last Bison: Inheritance EP

The Last Bison
Inheritance EP
Republic
2012-10-22

The Last Bison, a septet from Virginia, are a hirsute indie-folk band with an antebellum fashion sensibility. If it seems like there are a lot of those acts going around in these post-Fleet Foxes days, it’s because there are. But the Last Bison manage to stand out. Inheritance features four tracks from the band’s self-released 2011 album, back when they were known as simply Bison, as well as one new song. Leader Ben Hardesty has a hardy, rustic voice whose invigorated spirit marks a sharp contrast with some of his mopey indie-folk peers. Sure, “River Rhine” has an atmospheric, Foxian feel, but the almost Irish-sounding stomper “Switzerland” does away with navel-gazing in favor of a contagious vigor. Are the Last Bison a Band to Watch in 2013? Most definitely.

RATING 7 / 10