Album Reviews

Richard Buckner has one of the most instantly recognizable voices in Rock music today. A plaintive wail that expresses sadness better than anyone save perhaps Mark Eitzel, Buckner's latest (and sixth overall) album, and first for progressive independent-label Merge Records, features a nice mix of his traditional acoustic laments as well as some bold electric guitar-laden rockers. Recorded at Wavelab Studios in Tucson as well as Tophat Studios in Austin Texas, Dents & Shells contains fascinating insights into the breakdown of relationships and the regeneration of the human spirit following such events. Buckner has recently gone through a divorce so it is not a stretch to read into these tunes from an autobiographical perspective.

Opening track “A Chance Counsel” kicks off with a gorgeous piano flourish by Bukkha Allen as well as an unorthodox hi-tom drum fills from drummer King Coffey, (yes of Butthole Surfers fame) which serves to propel the track along at a good pace, a terrific driving song. The next track, “Firsts” is the polar opposite to the first song as Buckner's singular acoustic guitar plays counterpoint to very quiet, understated synth-lines which pulsate ever so slightly in the background, a haunting psychological number that would not have been out of place on the "Twin Peaks" soundtrack.

“Invitation,” the second best track on the album, tells the simple story of a man trying to pick up a woman

“Come on, I'd like to talk with you, outside, in the open air…”

but does so in such a simple, direct manner that what appears trite on the surface is especially moving with such luscious instrumental accompaniment including incredible slide guitar from Gary Newcomb as well as perfect piano fills from Allen. Buckner's relationship-weary vocals mesh perfectly with the lyrical imagery. It is fascinating to see how a slide guitar can turn an otherwise good song into a great one. The band really is firing on al cylinders on this one. Following up “Invitation” is “Straight” which aptly-titled as it a straight-ahead Buckner acoustic number with nothing much happening in it save a clever Hammond B-3 organ fed through some kind of filter.

Next up is the album's centerpiece, “Her,” featuring brilliant violin playing from Brian Standifer (reminiscent of Caitlin Cary's excellent work with Whiskytown, as well as David Lindley's work with Jackson Browne) as well as counter-melodic piano and electric guitar weaving beautiful lines as Buckner (or the protagonist) contemplates how it all went wrong,

“Think of me, I just can't move

I couldn't see, I never knew

I wonder where, I'll never be…”

Segue to electric guitar then into acoustic outro, brilliant, easily as moving as anything on Springsteen's The River album!

“Charmers” features snarling fuzz guitar as well as the return of the hypnotic hi-tom drum fills by Coffey, a slow burner.

Piano plays a much more prominent role on this album than on any previous Buckner offering. A perfect example of this is on “Fuse” whereupon the piano lines, while not virtuosic, are perfectly placed for setting just the right mood within the song. In addition to the piano is some top-notch steel guitar playing from Newcomb. Another aspect to Buckner that often goes unnoticed in critical circles, (likewise with Dylan) is what a great acoustic guitar player he is.

Finally, “As the waves will always roll” closes the album on a quiet, reflective note as Buckner stresses the need to pick up the pieces after a love has ended and find the courage to move on. The only instrumental backing on this is some eerie Hammond organ as well as phased electric guitar. The track moves like the fluidity of water and ends in a crescendo of multi-tracked drums; a glorious finish to another consistently good Richard Buckner album.

The sound quality of the burned promo disc I received was good but not great with some sibilant and distortion problems evident. However, my copy is probably not on par with what goes to retail so expect the sound quality to be better on the one you purchase. Sound quality quibbles aside; the album was mixed beautifully as the instruments appear to blend really well. No matter what record label he records for, Buckner continues to produce gems. Here's hoping that Merge gives him a budget to record another full-on electric album in the vein of Since.