Dents & Shells

Richard Buckner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merge Records
• ASIN: B0002ZYDQA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,281 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With his sixth studio album, the peripatetic songwriter sweetens his sound and his signature evocations of loss, memory, and melancholy. "As a child once," he sings with a vulnerability he's rarely shown, "I almost marked it all; it isn't gone." What he has marked and preserved is a devotion to his forever doubting soul (the record, like 2002's Impasse, was born out of a failed second marriage), to the inexhaustible power of language and subtle sonic invention. With pedal steel, accordion, and mostly acoustic guitars, the mood recalls his most accessible album, Bloomed, but the song structures flash and dart like the whirling sparklers of youth. And behind the implacable acoustic drone, the plangent melodies, the taut drumming (by ex-Butthole Surfer King Coffey), the brimstone lyricism, and his murmured growl, Buckner seems to smile at the wonder of life, love, and imagination. --Roy Kasten

Product Description

Dents And Shells is Richard Buckner's 6th studio album, his first for Merge Records, and his first in two years. Since his solo debut in 1994, Buckner has continued to evolve and expand his palette as a songwriter, all the while bringing praise from critics and legions of devoted fans as well. While Dents And Shells would not be considered a radical departure for Buckner, it is nonetheless obviously a document to his growth as a songwriter and a musician.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into the Music....Lost, October 12, 2004

By 

J. Stocks "jazzstocks" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dents & Shells (Audio CD)

I have felt for some time that Buckner is the standard bearing for songwriters. He writes lyrics like no other artist, creates melodies and arrangements like no other artist, and for sure, delivers them like no other artist. I was a big fan of his last disc (Impasse) because I felt it displayed the depth of his musicianship--he composed all of the music and played almost every instrument. To be honest, I was afraid he would not be able to top it. I suppose I was wrong. This disc picks up where Impasse left off, but has a broader, more varied feel. The arrangements are stunning and must be mentioned. Subtle flashes of pedal steel guitar (welcome back!) and piano accent most tracks and add a dreamy quality to the songs. The lyrics are classic Buckner, but with a more direct feel. Another thing to note is that he varies his vocal approach on many of the songs. 'A Chance Counsel' is all gruff and angry. 'As the Waves Will Always Roll' is so soft, it is almost a whisper. He uses his voice like a tenor sax player...sometimes screaming, sometimes crying, but always brilliant. It is a shame that this disc was born out of another divorce (as was Devotion and Doubt), but there is no doubt that he is able to channel the emotion directly into his work. Kudos to RB for another classic recording. As one friend said, "Man, you can get lost in this record." Indeed you can.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and Powerful...classic Buckner, September 23, 2004

By 

Barry W Wray (Gloucester, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dents & Shells (Audio CD)

You never know what you'll find in the used CD shops of Ottawa. Two days ago I found the new Richard Buckner. I'm not sure if it was stolen from Merge Records, but I grabbed it and ran home. I've been a huge fan for 10 years strong, since the original Bloomed CD was released on Glitterhouse...the one that shows the full photo of Richard and his ex. I've listened to it several times now; it doesn't take a lot of time to listen too at 34:00 minutes. It's another classic! With a complete band on about half the songs, the steel guitar and piano/keys really complement his vocals. His voice is so recognizable right from the first line of "a chance counsel" the lead off track. The other half of the songs are Richard and his acoustic guitar, with spare instrumentation to enhance the mood. My favorite song...so far, was "her". It had the full band, with nice touches of steel guitar and cello. I also enjoyed the slow acoustic song "firsts". It reminded me of Smog's Red Apple Falls. My only complaint, the album was over to quickly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning musical honesty, October 29, 2004

By 

Erik C. (Clifton Park, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dents & Shells (Audio CD)

Even after just a few listens to this record, every song stands out as being very emotional and honest, along with incredible musicianship. Personally, I like the return of the pedal steel to Buckners music, and "Dents and shells" is a step up from "Impasse", in which I found good but a little drab. Also, there is more of a full band feel to this album...and that is good too. The voice, the lyrics, and the feel to this album is very special, and this could be his best ever!