Political music is a tricky balancing act. There’s a world of difference between empty slogans and genuine conviction. Buzzard succeeds where so many others fail. Christopher Thomas Elliott doesn’t write songs to prove he’s right—he writes them because the world we’re living in clearly refuses to let him rest. The result is "Everything Is Not Going To Be Alright", an album with as much heart as it has conviction, and one that delivers musically on every level.
Christopher Thomas Elliott, the man behind Buzzard, hasn’t simply released another doom-folk record. He’s created one of those rare albums that manages to provoke thought, inspire excitement, and completely pull you into its musical world. And honestly, the more I listen to it, the bigger it becomes.
What makes Buzzard so special is the seemingly effortless fusion of dusty Americana, dark folk, crushing doom, and fuzz-soaked heavy rock. On paper, it sounds like a bold experiment, but in practice it becomes one of the most cohesive and captivating soundscapes the genre has to offer right now. The fact that Elliott wrote, performed, sang, recorded, and produced everything himself only makes the achievement even more remarkable.
"This Land Is Your Land (Until It's Not)" immediately sets the tone. Buzzard takes an American classic, turns it completely inside out, and transforms it into a razor-sharp statement about a society that continues tearing itself apart. What begins with an unassuming acoustic guitar gradually erupts into towering doom riffs that almost swallow the song whole. Moments like these are absolutely addictive.
"Doom Folk Fury" is one of the album's undeniable highlights. Elliott blends melancholic folk melodies with massive walls of fuzz, wrapping his political frustration in lyrics that are as intelligent as they are incisive. Throughout it all, there's a wonderfully dark sense of humor lurking beneath the surface—as if he's holding a mirror up to your face with a knowing grin. It makes the message hit even harder.
"Screaming Into The Void" is arguably the album's angriest moment. Sludge, doom, and an almost hypnotic groove collide with an unusual spoken-word vocal delivery that perfectly captures the song's inner turmoil. This isn't preaching—it's pure catharsis, loud, honest, and completely unapologetic.
Both "Terms And Conditions Apply" and "Fever Breaks" showcase Buzzard's incredible sense of dynamics. Just when you've settled into a quiet folk passage, another wave of crushing guitars comes crashing in and flattens everything in its path. These transitions never feel forced; they unfold with complete naturalness.
By the time "Take The Tyrant Down" arrives, it's crystal clear that Buzzard has no interest in hiding behind metaphors. The message couldn't be more direct, yet the song works so well because Elliott never delivers it with a wagging finger. Instead, he lets the music speak for itself, allowing its emotional weight to carry the message naturally. The closing epic, "Lunatic Lighthouse Keeper," immerses the album one final time in pitch-black doom atmosphere and provides a fitting, powerful conclusion.
Of course, the political lyrics won't resonate with everyone. Quite frankly, I couldn't care less. Music has always been about more than simple entertainment. Buzzard says exactly what's on his mind without turning it into calculated provocation. Instead, he creates art with conviction. It feels authentic, fearless, and above all, deeply sincere.
For me, "Everything Is Not Going To Be Alright" is Buzzard's finest hour to date. Every song lands, every melody lingers, and every riff hits its mark. Christopher Thomas Elliott proves beyond doubt that political music doesn't have to be preachy or one-dimensional when it's written with this much heart, talent, and passion. This is an album that's loud, uncompromising, emotional, and overflowing with soul. That's exactly why it already stands among my absolute favorite releases of the year. If you have any love for doom, folk, fuzz, and honest songwriting, Buzzard is simply impossible to ignore right now.
For me, "Everything Is Not Going To Be Alright" is Buzzard's finest hour to date. Every song lands, every melody lingers, and every riff hits its mark. Christopher Thomas Elliott proves beyond doubt that political music doesn't have to be preachy or one-dimensional when it's written with this much heart, talent, and passion. This is an album that's loud, uncompromising, emotional, and overflowing with soul. That's exactly why it already stands among my absolute favorite releases of the year. If you have any love for doom, folk, fuzz, and honest songwriting, Buzzard is simply impossible to ignore right now.
-Helge Neumann
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