Daniel Amos - Mr Buechners Dream (20 tracks) +Album Reviews

Mr. Buechner's Dream

Brent White | 11/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In order for an allusion (a deliberate reference within a piece of writing) to work, it must be clever enough for those "in the know" to appreciate but not distracting enough to block the enjoyment of those who simply don't "get" the connection. Legendary song-writer Terry Scott Taylor and his recently reenergized band Daniel Amos teeter bravely on the edge of an allusive fence with their latest release, an impressive 33-song, double-disc set, Mr. Buechner's Dream.After producing more than 15 albums over 25 years, and after a seven-year absence, many may have concluded that Daniel Amos reached the point where they had no more to say, no more to add to an already remarkable career. But the boys are back, and they are as ingenious as ever.Taylor, a true wordsmith, seems to be surfing at the crest of his wit with the endless string of head-nodding, laugh-to-yourself lyrics penned for this latest project (check out the line, "She's a bad dream / Like an adams apple / On a beauty queen" from "She's a Hard Drink"); however, at first listen, some (especially younger) listeners who are unfamiliar with DA's eccentric melodies and literary lyrics might wrinkle their forehead and shrug off the music as that generated by a bunch of "old guys." The added complication of centering the songs around Mr. Buechner--an actual Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Presbyterian minister, yet unknown to many--could serve to deter many from giving Mr. Buechner's Dream a chance. Taylor himself recognizes that Daniel Amos' music may not be instantly accessible to all. In "This Skin," he pleads his case: "I'm dreaming in and breathing in / The metaphoric air / Designed to get your faith in motion / Or this could grow on you (my friend) / Might not knock you down / Or drag you in / But it's a place I can begin / To get under your antenna and your / Thick skin."With touching ballads ("My Beautiful Martyr"), striking musical experiments ("Rice Paper Wings"), and well-crafted songs reminiscent of The Beatles ("The Staggering Gods"), Rolling Stones ("Fingertips" and the Beach Boys ("I Get To Wondering"), Mr. Buechner's Dream is an uninterrupted string of radiant rock consciousness. The inclusion of brilliant Bible-based tales--"Joel (from Joel, Chapter 2)," "Pretty Little Lies (A Song of Eve)," "Pregnant Pause (A Song for Abraham and Sarah)," "Steal Away (A Song of the Flood)," "Over Her Shoulder (A Song for Lot's Wife," "A Little Grace (A Song of Job),"--pushes this generous offering of songs from Daniel Amos into the "Instant Classic" category.For an inexperienced Daniel Amos listener, trust Terry Scott Taylor when he sings, "This Is The One.""

Brilliant!

Jon Kortebein | Minneapolis, MN USA | 04/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saying that Daniel Amos's Terry Taylor is a songwriter is like saying that Michael Jordan is a basketball player. This record demonstrates beyond doubt that Taylor ought to command the same respect in the music world that Jordan does in the basketball world.As with Jordan, Taylor's brilliance is impossible to deny. 33 songs on this 2-CD set and absolutely no filler! Not every one of those songs hits the bullseye, but they all score points. It's a pity that Amazon.com doesn't include audio samples of songs like "The Author of the Story", "Who's Who Here?", "Over Her Shoulder", "Pregnant Pause" or "Steal Away" because the proof of Taylor's talent is in the musical pudding. Buy this record? DEFINITELY!"

Back to Form!

Brent White | 06/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an exciting album! I've been a fan of da since the late 80's. In the 90's, the band seemed to lose steam a bit. They've found their second wind. This album runs the gamut in styles from beautiful ballads to caustic rockers to spoken word meditations(?). This double album (for the price of one) ranks with the great rock double albums, such as London Calling by the Clash. If you like music that challenges you while you're rocking to it, you will love this album. If you're a fan of da, you'll love it. Be warned, though, if you don't like multiple stylistic shifts, this album may be too much for you. It's not you're everyday pop/rock, it's much better."

DA's best album--most cohesive band effort

Brent White | Tucker, GA United States | 12/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm happy to report that what appears to be a sprawling double-CD concept album is mostly a hodgepodge of good-to-great songs. Like other reviewers, I give credit to Terry Taylor for creating the best album of his band's (and any of its offshoots) prolific career--25 years or so into the game. It's remarkable. But this album is better than the other good ones (cf. "Vox Humana," "Briefing for the Ascent," "Outdoor Elvis," "Kalhoun") because of the cohesiveness and consistency of the music (credited to DA). The hero here is Greg Flesch, whose subtle lead guitar (and keyboards?) move songs in unexpected directions. I love the horns, too. There are many standouts ("Faithful Street," "She's a Hard Drink," "Joel," "Pregnant Pause," "Nobody Will"). I'm especially touched by the unsettling dirge, "Flash in Your Eyes." As with any good double-CD studio album, the clunkers add texture and context. Highly recommended!"

Fan of the band...but not this album

Greg Brady | Capital City | 04/04/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I would love to add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of this double album opus, but I can't bring myself to do it despite my love for the work of Mssr. Taylor and company. I count SHOTGUN ANGEL and MOTOR CYCLE among my favourite albums ever despite their disparate musical and lyrical approaches. But the double album is a minefield and I fear that DA is among the shrapnel rather than in that rarified group of truly great double discs du rock.

Why? There are simply too many songs that are merely "nice" rather than great. Even the peaks here don't quite hit the stratospheric heights of past triumphs like "Father's Arms","Hound of Heaven","Soon!",or "Banquet at the World's End". Had this been sliced in about half, you'd probably have a much stronger effort. While I have hope this will continue to grow on me as time goes on, I can't picture myself ever counting it among their best work.

HIGHLIGHTS:

"The Author of the Story" is Taylor's look at the difficulty of maintaining faith ("Sometimes there seems to be/No author of the story/These thoughts occur to me/On this side of glory") while "Who's Who Here" roasts the celebrity of status ("It's babylon, they rattle on/The herds in line and movin' on/With ecstacy dipped cattle prongs in back packs"). "Ribbons and Bows" pokes fun at those who seek a theology with neat answers to complex paradoxes and "Faithful Street" takes aim at televangelists preaching the gospel of easy livin' via a bouncy horn-infused track that recalls SGT PEPPER somewhat. ("And if Jesus were alive and well/He'd be staying in their best hotel") For "Pretty Little Lies", Taylor's nasal whine turns nearly Dylanesque adding to the effect of the confessional tune. ("Don't mind the forked tongue/If I rattle you, I'm sorry/Though I'm not yet number one/For the time being that's not a worry") Rocker "Fingertips" addresses the ever-present but unseen hand of God. ("Someone laughs and reaches down/Cracks the plates and spins the world around/On their fingertips") Guitarist Greg Flesch gets in some of his grittiest licks on this one.

LOWS:

Probably the weakest track here is "Joel" which is little more than a recitation of a Biblical passage over instrumental accompaniment. It's not awful but it's probably the closest the group's gotten to conventional (read: vanilla) that I can recall. It probably wouldn't be out of place on a Third Day album. (That is NOT praise.)

BOTTOM LINE:

Too much of a good thing. If you're testing the waters with the band, don't start here."

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