Our Blood

I've been a huge Buckner fan since seeing him open for Son Volt in 1996. I loved Bloomed, Since, and Devotion and Doubt. I bought every release since then (Meadow, Dents and Shells, Impasse, etc.) but none have caught fire with me like those first three albums. That's changed with this one. It's excellent.

It's difficult to put into words what Richard Buckner's music means to me, but I'd rank him as one of the greatest songwriters of our time. Devotion + Doubt is perfection and it's tragic this guy roams in obscurity. Our Blood is such an intricate piece that when you put on headphones it seems if you're right there. Read some interviews with Buckner regarding this album and get some more info on the theft and the brief murder suspect. Let's keep our fingers crossed that he gets some recognition so he doesn't have to go back to upstate NY and work on roadcrews and drive forklifts to survive. Thank you Mr. Buckner I appreciate everything you've done. A million stars......

I was in a record store in New Paltz, NY, last month checkin' out the used cd's. Thought i could find some old Artur Lee or other vintage rock stuff. The guy working the store (maybe the owner?) put on this Richard Buckner CD. I was like "who is this?" I kept listening to the tone and the cool minimalist sound but thought to myself that i was probably overreacting to this apparently unearthly (but actually so earthy ) music. I continued looking through the used bins while "Our Blood" played out. Bought some Miles Davis and Arthur Lee (Love) and left the store. Then walked down to some freaky coffee shop and hung for awhile. Got in my car for the 90 mile drive home, but Buckner's voice was steadfast in my head. After about 4 or 5 miles i re-routed and headed back to the music store in New Paltz. I said to the owner (or DJ), "you know i was comin back for that cd." He just smiled.......

I am NEVER bored with Richard Buckner! His music seems beautifully awkward and moody. His vocals and writing set him apart as a true original artist, exploring where most artist fear to tread...or better yet, can't. Thank God the music industry has morphed into a true free market where artist like Buckner can thrive and be heard. What do I especially like? "Hindsight", "Traitor", "Thief", "Witness" and "Ponder".

Devotion & Doubt is one of the favorite albums of all time. Our Blood comes closer in style and quality than anything since, with subject matter that is a bit different. Great album, which I am glad is not just like D&D, but a more matured Buckner.

First off to the iTunes reviewer: RB is not from Lubbock, and no-one to my knowledge calls him "Rick." Otherwise, the review gets it right – this CD is a gem. Buckner was truly an Alt-Country pioneer, quickly distinguishing himself within that genre and just as quickly transcending that classification. So too here on "Our Blood." The acoustic picking, occasional pedal steel and aching melancholy certainly speak to traditional country conventions, but Buckner is (and always has been) so much more. This is unmistakably RB. Always a unique haunting sound, stunning songwriting, and consistently stellar tunes.

It's shocking to me that I'm the first reviewer of Mr. Buckner's new album. He is truly one of the great American songwriters. I met Richard right before he went on stage at The Bowery Ballroom back several months ago. Fantastic set. I've waited a long time for this album and, not surprisingly, it measures up to any of his past recordings. His music is so complex, both in arrangement and lyric, but delivered with such simple elegance. A true craftsman. If you are not familiar with Richard Buckner's work, this is as good of a place as any to start. I think you'll find his music addictive.