Buxton’s music has never quite fit into a single genre. Broadly labeled as “Americana,” the band–which got its start in the Houston area in 2003–steadily built a name for itself with solid live shows, and the organic nature of the band’s instrumentation–which includes banjos, mandolin, and multiple guitars–coupled with by-the-numbers harmonies, draws listeners in to its down-home sound. On its long-awaited third full-length, Buxton takes a leap into an increasingly crowded pool of like-minded musicians and does its best to tread water with the rest of the pack.

Lead single “Boy Of Nine,” “Body Count,” and “Oh My Boy” best showcase the band’s influences: moody folk, bluegrass, and the ever-present indie rock–even some 80s college rock–are heard throughout the album. The latter two are precisely what helps to separate the band–vocalist/guitarist Sergio Trevino, guitarist Jason Willis, bassist Chris Wise, drummer Justin Terrell, guitarist/vocalist/organist Austin Sepulvado, and keyboardist/vocalist Hayley Barnes–from its better-known peers. While Nothing Here Seems Strange will undoubtedly appeal to those who are a little bit more country than they are rock’n'roll, the album’s edgier moments (“Blown A Fuse,” “Down In The Valley”) are firmly directed toward listeners much like the band themselves: open-minded music fans.

I have written previously that Buxton is the closest thing Houston has to Wilco, and Nothing Here Seems Strange reinforces that sentiment and proves Buxton to be a hard-working band, unafraid of experimentation, and willing to take risks in its songwriting. Whether that translates to massive sales is anyone’s guess. Regardless, Nothing Here Seems Strange is a step forward in a hopefully long and prosperous career.

Buxton celebrates the release of Nothing Here Seems Strange this Saturday (2.4.12) at Fitzgerald’s before heading out for a tour.

More information at buxtonband.com or New West Records.

More info on Facebook.

Stream The Tontons’ newest release, Golden, on BandCamp.

Tour dates after the jump…

2/3 Houston
2/4 San Antonio
2/9 Austin
2/10 Marfa
2/11 Santa Fe
2/13 Flagstaff
2/14 Phoenix
2/15 Las Vegas
2/16 Long Beach
2/17 San Francisco
2/18 Los Angeles
2/19 Pasadena
2/21 Denver
2/22 Lawrence
2/23 Wichita
2/24 Tulsa
2/25 Dallas
2/26 College Station
2/29 Beaumont
3/1 Shreveport
3/2 Monroe
3/3 Jackson
3/8-3/12 35Denton Fest (Denton)
3/12-3/18 SXSW (Austin)

The album (including vinyl) is available for pre-order via Amazon.com.

View the band’s video for “Boy Of Nine” here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfAN7Yvbyc

Buxton plays in Houston at Fitzgerald’s this Thursday, 2.4.12, with Marmalakes and Featherface.

More information may be found on Facebook. Presale tickets available here.

The show starts at 1pm.

Megafauna will be showcasing songs from their upcoming album, Black Magic, which was recorded with Erik Wofford, producer of Austin’s The Black Angels.

More information on Bandcamp.

If you want to check out a Megafauna video, you can find it here.

Houston’s Co-Pilot has a 12-inch split coming in March with ALASKAN via The Treaty Oak Collective. You can hear their incredible song “The Bering Sea” here.

Local band Buxton releases its new album, Nothing Here Seems Strange, via New West Records on January 31. The album (including vinyl) is available for pre-order via Amazon.com, and Cactus Music will host a listening party and free in-store performance on Friday, January 27, from 7-10pm.

Here’s a video for “Boy Of Nine”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfAN7Yvbyc

Download the digital single of “Boy Of Nine” here, along with “Riverbed” here. Or, you can buy the 7-inch vinyl version–along with T-shirts designed by Houston designer Tom So (SoSo Design)–at buxtonband.com.

Buxton was recently named an “artist to watch” in 2012 by Esquire magazine.

Buxton plays in Houston on January 15th at Chris Gray Day, and at Fitzgerald’s for its album release party on February 4th (with Marmalakes and Featherface).

Tickets to the event are $45-$90, a portion of which goes to charity.

Here’s the official description of the event:

Artopia, the upscale celebration of the Houston art scene, is here again! It incorporates food, drink, art, music, theater, and fashion into one evening with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local charity organization.

Guests will sample appetizers & culinary creations from local restaurants while enjoying paintings, sculptures and other forms of visual art from various local artists. Artopia will also feature three fashion shows showcasing local designers, live music from Houston musicians and several local dance performances.

The event runs from 8-11pm.

This is a free show for 21+.

More info at www.fitzlivemusic.com and on Facebook.

Houston Press Music Editor Chris Gray suffered a heart attack late last year and his recovery is ongoing and costly. To help with the medical costs, there’s a benefit (Chris Gray Day) scheduled for Saturday, 1.14.12, at The Continental Club, Big Top Lounge, and Pachinko Hut in Houston.

The music starts at 10am, and features a slew of Houston bands of varying styles. It will be one of the best chances to see bands you may have heard or read about but haven’t yet taken the time to check out live–and it’s for a great cause. Donations start at $20 for entry into the show.

Check the schedule on Rocks Off.