Bloomed [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Richard Buckner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Slow River Records
• ASIN: B00000J7YT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,813 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Folk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop reading this and go buy Bloomed, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bloomed (Audio CD)

I bought this CD while wandering around the record store completely overwhelmed and discouraged about what might tickle my fancy and stumbled upon Bloomed. Not being hip to Richard Buckner I took a look at the cover, turned it over, saw that look and gave it a shot. From the first notes of Blue and Wonder I knew there was no going back. I must listen to that record almost every day and never tire of it. I wouldn't call it country, I would just call it divine. He is all about exquisite acoustic guitar playing with honest well crafted, beautifully sung lyrics that anyone who has had a little heartache or had to hit the road will dig. One of my musician friends hates every CD I buy but everytime I get in his car I hear Bloomed coming at me as sweet as my old dog when I've come home.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buckner a Great Discovery, September 27, 2001

By 

Todd W. Smith "asburypark30" (Midway, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bloomed (Audio CD)

I discovered Richard Buckner by the favorable reviews I read on this very website. There was something about what I read that made me buy "Bloomed". I bought it a couple months ago and I now have all the Buckner titles. They have not left my CD player yet. I cannot imagine how life would be, had I not known his music. This guy is a diamond in the rough, the real deal.
Buckner is from the singer-songwriter mold and I guess you could call his music folk. It's not folk in the mushy, sentimental sense, though. Be prepared to face the harsh realities of life. What separates Buckner is the intensity and feeling of his songs. He is also extremely literate and his use of vocabulary and wordplay is truly unique. He is a great songwriter. Others could sing his songs and they are still great songs. Few could make you feel about them the way Buckner does, however. You think you know great music and songwriting, and then you hear Buckner, and you realize lackings that your other favorites have. Simply put, he raises the bar of expectations you have when you purchase a CD.
"Bloomed" was his first album, and it's also his most "accessible" one. The music is fairly raw, but they are great songs that stick in your head easily. This record has the most "country" feel, it was recorded in Lubbock, TX. However, in no way is Buckner a country artist.
When you listen to this CD, listen to songs 4 through 12 first. They are all stellar. The first 3 tracks are the weakest, if there is such a thing with Buckner. The first song is OK, the 2nd one is good, but I personally didn't like the 3rd one. "22" is an eery suicide song, not one of my favorites. Get past this, though, because greater things lie ahead. "Surprise, AZ", about the death of a father, is a great one. "In '34, you were 21. He told me once that he knew when he first saw you. "And you know about me, at only 23. You watched her come and go as she went through everything I had. Mother did you see, what was gonna happen? She brought me down so far, I never quite made it back....."
The thing that really elevates this record are the 5 bonus tracks issued on the re-release. They are edgy, and even more sparse. "The Last Ride", "Settled Down", "The Worst Way", and "Hutchinson" make this a top-notch record. The bluesy "Emma" is OK, but it's whiny and can grate.
Buckner knows pain, brother, you will feel that in these songs. In the meantime, enjoy the songwriting. Examples: "I shot my insides out with grief and Mr. Kessler(cheap liquor), all holed up in my room." "Christ, how this life from mud to miracle, is just the prettiest little burden, isn't it, el?" "I went down to meet my Maker and the water tastes salty. What's on my lips? The letter you sent me." "Pass me up, or lay me down. Once I wanted an explanation, now I'd settle for just a sound."
I could go on and on, but I've already taken too much space here. I would go as far as to say that his music is too mature for most college audiences. You probably need to be in your mid-twenties or thirties, having been kicked in the teeth a few times.
I have never recommended an album more than I do this one.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and sincere - A must have!, February 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bloomed (Audio CD)

While Richard Buckner could easily be tagged as country, to do this would be a discredit to his songwriting. However he is everything country music wants to be. Gone here is the typical cheap drivel and phony twang of contemporary country songs and in it's place is an authenticity and sincerity that is not only lacking in today's "country" songs but in music in general. Buckner spills his guts for us delivering his emotions and thoughts via beautiful songs filled with his powerful voice and great acoustic guitar playing accompanied by mandolin, steel guitar and accordian among other instruments. These songs will not only get your attention but they will become a part of you giving you sad joy. Even when it's not playing in your CD player it's playing in your head. It's been a long time since an artist moved me like Buckner does. If you appreciate the songcraft of muscians like Mark Eitzel and Paul Westerberg this disc is a must have. By the way, while you're at it pick up all the Buckner titles, they're that good.