REVIEW: Richard Buckner, Since (MCA Records)
- Chris Hill
"Faith, hope and courage, all that, it's a scam to keep people on their toes. I don't believe in any of that; what happens happens, and that's it", said Richard Buckner in an interview with William S. Burroughs. This resigned fatalism underscores the simple beauty prominent throughout his impressive third album, which mines the country, folk, and alternative veins with polydextrous ease.
There's a cathartic quality to the soul-baring honesty unapologetically bleeding from Buckner's words: "All cure and comfort/Where's the bed I called you for?" ("Hand @ the Hem"), "Honey, I can hear your heart from here/It hasn't always seemed to be the truth that lays us down/Well, the truth is tonight I truly want you/But I'll still slip away somehow" ("Jewelbomb"). We sympathize with the pain in the words, and perversely, experience pleasure through the music.
The 16 songs are divided almost equally between lush and spare instrumentation. Some ("Slept", "Boys, The Night Will Bury You") evoke deep South back-porch sing-a-longs, while others ("Goner w/ Souvenir", "Jewelbomb", and the viscerally powerful opener "Believer") employ a full-band sound. There's no awkwardness in this - Buckner's comfortable in both arenas. Depending on the mood, his voice is rough-hewn then fragile, tender then merciless, a whisper then a roar.
Listen with headphones. Small sonic gifts are scattered through the record: an eerie, slithering stereo effect opens and closes "Coursed", a wood block clocks in on "Believer", strings swell on "10-Day Room", bongo drums keep time on "Lucky Buzz".
Buckner's previous efforts, Bloomed and Devotion + Doubt made multiple "year-end best" lists. Odds are good Since will make it a threepeat.
