Bloomed
Studio album by
Richard Buckner
Released1994
GenreFolk, country
LabelDejadisc
ProducerLloyd Maines
Richard Buckner chronology
Bloomed
(1994)		 Devotion + Doubt
(1997)

Bloomed is the debut album by the American musician Richard Buckner.[1][2] It was released in 1994 via the German label Glitterhouse, and the following year in the United States via Dejadisc.[3][4] A 1999 reissue appended five bonus tracks.[5]

Production

Produced by Lloyd Maines, the album was recorded in Lubbock, Texas, with additional studio work taking place in Austin.[6][7] Butch Hancock played harmonica on the album; Ponty Bone played accordion.[8] Buckner decided to make the album without using a rhythm section.[9]

Buckner has originally intended for Bloomed to be a concept album about his lineage and family.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[11]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[4]
Orlando Sentinel[12]
Pitchfork8.1/10[13]

The Washington Post wrote that "Buckner's compelling, dust-streaked voice and his knack for visual detail and unexpected metaphor make him a natural disciple of the Lubbock church, but he's still a novice when it comes to the rites of irreverent humor."[14] The Nashville Scene thought that "Buckner’s ghostly, sensual voice is the perfect vehicle for his bittersweet songs of parting and regret—he often sounds like Dwight Yoakam, only less self-conscious and more literate."[15] The Orlando Sentinel praised Buckner's "genuinely lovely, earthy baritone."[12]

The Chicago Tribune determined that Bloomed "starts off strong with several melodically driving tunes and cutting lyrical introspection, but after that engaging intro the proceedings start to drag."[16] The Austin American-Statesman considered it "a sorrowful, almost frighteningly emotional album loaded with regrets."[17]

AllMusic thought that "Maines and his small crew of musicians ... give Buckner's songs all the care they deserve, adding to the nuances of the melodies and moods with a master's touch, and Maines' own steel guitar work is especially striking."[10] In a 1997 concert review, The New York Times noted the "dark, poetic lining to his sparse songs, an edge that made his album Bloomed one of 1995's most compelling debuts."[18] Reviewing a 1999 reissue, Pitchfork wrote that "when Buckner veers closer to traditional folk, he invests his songs with an almost apocalyptic urgency."[13] Spin listed it as the 19th best album of 1995.[19]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Blue and Wonder" 
2."Rainsquall" 
3."22" 
4."Mud" 
5."Six Years" 
6."This Is Where" 
7."Gauzy Dress in the Sun" 
8."Daisychain" 
9."Desire" 
10."Up North" 
11."Surprise, AZ" 
12."Cradle to the Angel" 

References

  1. ↑ "Richard Buckner – Bloomed". No Depression. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "Richard Buckner Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. 1 2 "The Rough Guide to Rock". Rough Guides. December 30, 2003 – via Google Books.
  4. 1 2 MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 170.
  5. ↑ Jacks, Kelso (Jun 14, 1999). "Record News". CMJ New Music Report. 58 (622): 11.
  6. ↑ Wolff, Kurt (May 1995). "Southern Exposure". Spin. 11 (2): 30.
  7. ↑ "Music Reviews". www.austinchronicle.com.
  8. ↑ "Buckner CD Leads Pack by Bay Bands". SFGATE. April 23, 1995.
  9. ↑ Dahl, Bill (26 Jan 1996). "Richard Buckner, Monday at Schubas". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. O.
  10. 1 2 "Bloomed - Richard Buckner | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  11. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. pp. 44–45.
  12. 1 2 Gettelman, Parry (16 June 1995). "RICHARD BUCKNER". Orlando Sentinel. Calendar. p. 4.
  13. 1 2 "Richard Buckner: Bloomed". Pitchfork.
  14. ↑ "BUCKNER'S SELF-PITY STUNTS BLOOMED'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Friskics-Warren, Bill. "A Prince Among Men". Nashville Scene.
  16. ↑ Dickinson, Chris (9 June 1995). "Richard Buckner, Michael Fracasso, Friday at Schubas". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. O.
  17. ↑ Riemenschneider, Chris (7 Mar 1996). "Regrets, he's had a few: But then again, mentioning them seems to pay off for Richard Buckner". Austin American-Statesman. p. 9.
  18. ↑ Strauss, Neil (April 26, 1997). "Down Obscure Corridors, In No Particular Direction" – via NYTimes.com.
  19. ↑ Marks, Craig (Jan 1996). "20 Best Albums of '95". Spin. 11 (10): 63.
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