Skins
Buffalo Tom · 2011
45 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A gritty blend of power pop and alternative rock, bursting with raw energy and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Don't Forget Me — This track features poignant lyrics reflecting on memory and loss, paired with driving instrumentals that encapsulate the band's signature sound.
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Guilty Girls — With its catchy hooks and relatable themes of romantic entanglement, this song showcases the band's ability to meld emotion with upbeat melodies.
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Lost Weekend — The song stands out for its dynamic shifts between melancholy verses and uplifting choruses, highlighting the band’s range and lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic tracks with introspective moments, showcasing solid songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with driving guitar riffs and steady drumming, while the second half introduces more introspective themes and varied tempos.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album includes moments of dynamic contrast, such as sudden shifts from quiet verses to explosive choruses, which emphasize the lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of youthful energy
- raw emotional catharsis through lyrics
- reflective moments in everyday life
- upbeat tracks for social gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- want polished, studio perfection
- prefer slow, atmospheric builds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2011, Buffalo Tom was well into their third decade as a band, having formed in 1986. 'Skins' marked their sixth studio album and followed a hiatus that began after their 2007 release, demonstrating their continued evolution in sound and songwriting after returning to the scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Lemonheads· Soul Asylum· Gin Blossoms
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Arise, Watch 2:38
- 2 She's Not Your Thing 2:04
- 3 Down 4:26
- 4 Don't Forget Me 4:08
- 5 Guilty Girls 2:22
- 6 Miss Barren Brooks 3:11
- 7 Paper Knife 3:34
- 8 Here I Come 3:03
- 9 Lost Weekend 4:06
- 10 The Hawks & The Sparrows 3:46
- 11 The Big Light 4:02
- 12 The Kids Just Sleep 3:16
- 13 Out of the Dark 4:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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