Dents and Shells

Richard Buckner

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 12, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merge Records
• ASIN: B0002ZYDQA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,843 in Music (See Bestsellers 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
Buckner is one of the most heartfelt and honest songwriters you'll ever hear, and his first release on Merge (and sixth full-length) is a departure of sorts for this modern day troubadour. "Dents And Shells" adds some powerful elements with a few full band tracks framing Buckner's muscular lyrics and powerful voice. Following the storytelling and folk traditions of artists as diverse as Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and Richard Thompson, Buckner's latest approach will have fans listening closely.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 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)

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

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	Frederick C. Sechler Jr. (Edgartown, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!