Last Time Around
One of America's seminal 1960s rock bands, Buffalo Springfield's brief career yielded just three studio albums before its various members splintered into a variety of successful solo career and new group endeavors (includingCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young,Poco, andLoggins & Messina). In fact, one of its chief architects bolted before this, their last album, was even completed. Fortunately for both the band and their fans,Neil Youngleft behind a pair of pop gems--the band showcase "On the Way Home" and the country-tinged "I Am a Child."Stephen Stillslargely picked up the slack in Young's absence, penning a slate of tunes as ambitious as they were eclectic (his "Questions" here eventually evolving into CSNY's "Carry On"), whileRichie Furayweighs in with three tunes, including the clear Poco precursor "Kind Woman." A bit more pop-oriented than its predecessor, the often hauntingBuffalo Springfield Again, but nearly as memorable.--Jerry McCulley