Big Red Letter Day
The first two albums by Buffalo Tom showed that the Massachusetts trio  had studied its heroes (Dinosaur Jr., Husker Du), learned their guitar-rock  vocabulary, and mastered the ability to put it across. But the band didn't have  much original to add, and althoughLet Me Come OverandBirdbrainwere pleasant listening, they were quickly forgotten.Big Red Letter Dayis more dynamic, peeling away the layers of fuzz guitar to reveal acoustic  guitar and Bill Janovitz' simple but compelling vocal melodies. The album  emphasizes the lyrics, which stand up to the scrutiny, and "Soda  Jerk," "Would Not Be Denied," and "Anything That Way"  are the best songs the band has written.--Jim DeRogatis