Buzzard is the new album from Indy's own (now Chicago's own) Margot & The Nuclear So & So's. Gone are the horns, strings, and massed percussion that were a central part of Margot's sound, as leader/songwriter Richard Edwards has slimmed down the band from its previous incarnation as an eight-piece. Now the focus is placed on a basic line-up of guitars, bass, and drums. Despite the lack of "orchestration" previously so characteristic of the band, Edwards has in no way abandoned his ambitious multi-part, multi-melody approach to songwriting. Most songs still see him welding together major and minor keys or various melodic components with ease, but without the previous reliance on various shifts in instrumentation to make such transitions apparent. Guitars, whether they be acoustic or electric, now dominate the sound, but with no loss of emotional variety in the music. Opener "Birds" sets the template, as it starts with an electric guitar softly picking out a line and Richard's voice entering with a beautiful, off-beat melody. Female harmonies then enter before the song crashes into a loud chorus dominated by power chords and Edward's declaiming "Let's have a party" and "Let's have a baby" in separate parts. Distorted guitars at the end round out the song. "Your Lower Back" also shows off Edwards songwriting facility, as its various parts offer up T. Rex guitar swagger, the strums of which lead into a great melody, all capped off with a chorus reminiscent of his previous work. Several songs emphasize Edward's acoustic side, best exemplified by closer "I Do," which is just Richard on acoustic guitar and vocals. Buzzard also throws a clearer light on Edwards' lyrical abilities, as the de-emphasis on employing a variety of instruments shines more light onto the words. Edwards does not disappoint in this arena, either, as his songs engage in sincere pleas for love and melancholy remembrances of past times, all seasoned with scathing humor and occasional bouts of ridiculousness ("Shiny Vampire Robots," anyone?). Indeed, Edwards' lyrics further the case for Buzzard as a very compelling listen, as any songwriter who can come up with lines like "I'll take the tag off your sister and keep her for good" deserves to be given our attention. In sum, while some may miss the gloriousness of the sound of the band's former eight-piece line-up, Buzzard is Margot's (and Edward's) finest work to date.