Album Details

• Artist: Richard Buckner
• Album: Meadow
• Label: Merge
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: Dennis Scanland on 2006-10-16
• Viewed: 323 times

I imagine Richard Buckner to be comparable to Bob Dylan. Their songwriting is quite different but this is regards to the vocals being something that you grow to like. No one likes Dylan on the surface, on the first listen, but once you find out that there is so much more to him than the voice then you start to gain an appreciation for him. That is the same way I view Buckner. I think his voice is one of his strong points and yet if you were just to hear his voice in the background, chances are you might plug your ears. But, that seems to have chanced on Meadow. It seems that Richard has been working on his vocal delivery. The very last song on the album will really let you in on this not-so-harsh vocal style that he has found. "The Tether and the Tie" is a very pleasant finger-picked track that shines brighter than my favorite Buckner track "Gauzy Dress In The Sun". Buckner has many great songs over his illustrious career but I would say that "Town" is his best song to date. It's very bouncy and catchy and his voice is magnificent on it. "Mile" is a gentler track and we get a showcase of what a great guitarist Richard is. The arrangements on Meadow seem to be much more refined as well. Meadow may not be quite up to Dents and Shells but if you have never listened to him before then I recommend this album to start you off. It is his most accessible album due to his wonderful vocal change.

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