Search - Richard Buckner :: Since

At the first creak of Richard Buckner's voice

tomcheese | Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada | 02/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the first creak of Richard Buckner's voice you feel you're in for a slightly off-balanced ride; he sings as if the words are untrustworthy things he has to guide to where he is heading. Intriguing and story-telling words they are, framed lightly by a wayward acoustic guitar, percussion or steel guitar. His tones jump around on the opener Believer like he's singing it from a dizzying spot, Faithful Shooter is more grounded and pinched up by its percussion. Ariel Ramirez is bleak and haunting while Jewelbomb kicks up some dirt with
its spurring guitar and reflective vocal. The Ocean Cliff Clearing directs itself to more pleasant spots.
Goner w/ Souvenir is a standout, its strums and percussion clicking off Buckner's round-voiced enunciations. His impressive observations peak with the music here. Slept patters along deep plunks of the guitar; Pico gathers a pace, an instrumental. Coursed is on pleasant ground again, a vocal collected from a well of old heartbreak it seems; Lucky Buzz gets a good grip on the idea of vengeance and a tripping drum. 10-Day Room cuts quickly and beautifully; Brief & Boundless huddles around the word "raze" with its soft pluckings of guitar; Hand @ The Hem reveals the peculiar way Buckner has of communicating: a snatch of conversation, a compelling image, tied up to his restless vocal chords. Boys, The Night Will Bury You is sly and evocative, a top tune, and Once finishes this terrific album with just-cooling images and moods--"I lapped up to the bay bar & saw her bobbing like a wave & I slowed down" "I dreamed of a couple dancing close and drunk in the spray of lights they made."In the end, this is a powerful singer with a voice that carves out old misbegotten experience like rotten wood to good song."

Start to burn, oxygen aplenty

SEAN T ONEIL | Missoula, Montana United States | 10/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WHOMP! ...is the sound of Buckner's songs delivering their soul-punch. Who can better move the soul, the heart, the spirit with lyrics and music? Nobody. mmm hmm. go ahead, nod knowingly. it's okay. it's even encouraged.At the time of the release of Since, I was in a relationship with the woman who seems -- at this point in my life -- to be destined to be the one I didn't want to lose. She and I listened often to my copy of Since, and I bought her a copy to play when she was at her home. She asked if any songs reminded me of our relationship -- "of course," I replied, and through choked back tears I said, "Souvenir." Buckner's songs have that immense power over me. The first time I heard "Mud" off the Bloomed album, I started crying at his line, "and Christ how this life, from mud to miracle, is just the prettiest little burden, isn't it, El?" What beautiful poignancy -- a melancholically clever sentiment shared with the woman whom he loved and who was herself clever enough to understand its depth and beauty. Such is the affection in the songs on Since.I won't waste your time, nor will I insult Buckner, by encapsulating each of the songs from Since. A reviewer's words cannot enliven his songs -- they must be heard, felt, nurtured and tended by one's mind, heart, soul. By all rights in a just world, Buckner would be the verdant envy of every lyricist/poet plying the trade today. 5 stars, surplus waiting."