Customer Reviews

Dents & Shells

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

First, know that I would never disparage this artist -- Richard Buckner's "Devotion + Doubt" is an all-time favorite, and there are few artists of his authenticity and poetic stature around. But this half-hour of bland songs just doesn't stand up. They sound like unreleased material from previous sessions, without the spark and depth of his previous work. I'll be first in line to buy his next release, and will continue to catch him live every time he plays locally, but I can only recommend this CD to truly passionate fans.

For the uninitiated (and lucky You!), try "Since" or "Devotion + Doubt". You will not be disappointed.

This is my first experience with Buckner's music. The exceptional drumming drives the propulsive, melodic, acoustic-based sound. These songs present themselves as though you were sampling them on Amazon, where the 30 second bite could start anywhere in the song-but that's not a bad thing. My seven-year-old son can get right to this music & this CD has been in my car for weeks. These songs breathe and offer space to place you within these fragmented narratives that Buckner sings in an earnest and mildly inflective drone. To my ears the "groove" recalls the best work of 10,000 Maniacs, minus the piano. But this is wholly original music and Buckner sells it. There's lots of space in his lyrics for the listener to dream. The songs are less stories than impressions and phases used to convey losses and longings. The mediations are the product of a narrator who appears to spend much of his time in his own head. Writers of this type tend to have long careers, as they never run out of material. Based on this fine CD I'll be looking to his back catalogue and buying more music.

I'd never heard of Richard Buckner until our new public radio station starting playing "A Chance Counsel". In anticipation of a 12-hour cross-country drive, I bought several new albums, but Dents and Shells was the one we all wanted to hear again and again.
There is an easy, layered depth to the songwriting and lyrics, and great playing-the musicians sound like they've been working together for a long time. I was mildly surprised to find this album in the country section at the record store, a section that is less familiar to me. The music definitely feels `authentic', as Old-Time music can at its best.
This is just an all around great album.

Having just discovered Richard Buckner a month ago and fallen head over heels for Meadow and Devotion + Doubt, i gave Dents and Shells a try, thinking this would either give me enough of him, or that it would cement my conviction that Buckner is (musically, lyrically, mysteriously) God. Happily, i assert the latter self-evident (or evident to my self) truth. Dents and Shells is my new favorite. Richard is beyond alt-country or country-rock, or perfectly-arranged and -executed pop songs here. He goes places, musically, i have never been, and man, where that voice leads, i will follow.