Bloomed

1994 studio album by Richard Buckner

Bloomed

Studio album by

Richard Buckner

Released| 1994
Genre| Folk, country
Label| Dejadisc
Producer| Lloyd 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview 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]

1. ^ "Richard Buckner – Bloomed". No Depression. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
2. ^ "Richard Buckner Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
3. ^ a b The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. December 30, 2003.
4. ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 170.
5. ^ Jacks, Kelso (Jun 14, 1999). "Record News". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 58, no. 622\. p. 11.
6. ^ Wolff, Kurt (May 1995). "Southern Exposure". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 2\. p. 30.
7. ^ "Music Reviews". The Austin Chronicle.
8. ^ "Buckner CD Leads Pack by Bay Bands". SFGate. April 23, 1995.
9. ^ Dahl, Bill (26 Jan 1996). "Richard Buckner, Monday at Schubas". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. O.
10. ^ a b "Bloomed". AllMusic.
11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2\. MUZE. pp. 44–45.
12. ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (16 June 1995). "Richard Buckner". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 4.
13. ^ a b "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". Friday. Chicago Tribune. 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. ^ Marks, Craig (Jan 1996). "20 Best Albums of '95". Spin. Vol. 11, no. 10\. p. 63.
19. ^ Strauss, Neil (April 26, 1997). "Down Obscure Corridors, in No Particular Direction". The New York Times.

* v
* t
* e

Richard Buckner

Albums|

* Bloomed (1994)
* Devotion + Doubt (1997)
* Since (1998)
* The Hill (2000)
* Impasse (2002)
* Dents and Shells (2004)
* Meadow (2006)
* Our Blood (2011)
* Surrounded (2013)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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