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]
| Bloomed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Genre | Folk, country | |||
| Label | Dejadisc | |||
| Producer | Lloyd Maines | |||
| Richard Buckner chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editProduced 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
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [11] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [4] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [12] |
| Pitchfork | 8.1/10[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] Spin listed it as the 19th best album of 1995.[18]
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."[19] Reviewing a 1999 reissue, Pitchfork wrote that "when Buckner veers closer to traditional folk, he invests his songs with an almost apocalyptic urgency."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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
edit- ^ "Richard Buckner – Bloomed". No Depression. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Richard Buckner Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ a b The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. December 30, 2003.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 170.
- ^ Jacks, Kelso (Jun 14, 1999). "Record News". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 58, no. 622. p. 11.
- ^ Wolff, Kurt (May 1995). "Southern Exposure". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 2. p. 30.
- ^ "Music Reviews". The Austin Chronicle.
- ^ "Buckner CD Leads Pack by Bay Bands". SFGate. April 23, 1995.
- ^ Dahl, Bill (26 Jan 1996). "Richard Buckner, Monday at Schubas". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. O.
- ^ a b "Bloomed". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. pp. 44–45.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (16 June 1995). "Richard Buckner". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 4.
- ^ a b "Richard Buckner: Bloomed". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Buckner's Self-Pity Stunts 'Bloomed'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill. "A Prince Among Men". Nashville Scene.
- ^ Dickinson, Chris (9 June 1995). "Richard Buckner, Michael Fracasso, Friday at Schubas". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. O.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Marks, Craig (Jan 1996). "20 Best Albums of '95". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 10. p. 63.
- ^ Strauss, Neil (April 26, 1997). "Down Obscure Corridors, in No Particular Direction". The New York Times.