Dents and Shells

For Dents and Shells Richard Buckner assembled a solid backing band that adds an electric urgency to what over the previous years had been turning into a quieter, hypnotic literary groove. Buckner still writes with an ear for imagery and for dramatic fragments, but by employing a full band the music finally matches the ominous, foreboding allure of his relationship-in-peril lyrics. Having survived his second divorce, Buckner, the incurable romantic, sounds more balanced than one might expect of this lifelong traveling troubadour. He never reveals everything, preferring to keep a sense of mystery and poetry to his long nights of the soul. "Firsts" is another in a long line of spellbinding acoustic meditations. Yet it's tracks such as "A Chance Counsel" and "Invitation" with its sunburst piano and unflinching drums that bring Buckner the support he needs to soldier on. Operating on the fringes of country and folk, Buckner is really a beatnik from a simpler era caught up in the youthful rush of experience no matter how old and road-worn he's become.