Richard Buckner / Devotion + Doubt (1997)
10
I would argue that Buckner's Devotion + Doubt, released just over 20 years ago, is the greatest break-up record ever recorded. Yes, that includes Dylan's Blood on the Tracks and Springsteen's Tunnel of Love. No separation record has ever merged unbelievably potent lyrics with a haunting backdrop that literally feels as though you're experiencing the split yourself. It's a masterpiece by one of the premiere songwriters of the past 25 years. It was the first or his two major label releases, and of little surprise, fell on deaf ears in the age of Chumbawumba and Collective Soul. Vapid "rock n' roll" left Buckner, and many of his brethren, including Kenny Roby, Scott Miller and man, even Steve Earle, to a degree, in the rear view. But those who took notice were floored. This was a songwriter renaissance. Gram Parsons, Prine, Townes, Cash and all the greats that preceded this "movement" decades earlier, were back in the conversation.
Back to Buckner. I first saw him live on the D+D tour, opening for Son Volt in New York. He had a phenomenal band, backed by the great duo of Mark Ribot and Dave Schramm. I remember walking back from the bar when "A Goodbye Rye" kicked in. I handed a few friends drinks and no one said a word. Songs truly don't get much more powerful than this one. The ultimate goodbye song, torched with guitar riffs and a build that was, and remains, like nothing heard before. The perfect song for the moment.
Ya know, boredom breeds
Temptation in its wake
But will you look at what
Temptation's done
The spirit's here in the hollow
The message at the bottom of the bottle
Oh, the sky tonight is gray
Oh, the quiver and the quake
And then there's the rest. The beauty of "Lil' Wallet Picture." The howls of "Fater." The stunning beauty of "4am," a song that still, 20 years on, leaves my hair standing on end on every single listen.
So as the past goes breaking by
Where are you tonight
It's 4am
And I'm awake again
And not quite high enough
I'll be back
You know when
Should I lie a little and dream away
I'm just lying here anyway
With a chill a little heat could kill on site
Where are you tonight
Crushing. The rest of the record is perfect. And that's any lack of hyperbole on my end. I've put this record in my top 10 all-time basically since the week it was released. And I doubt it'll ever drop. So many favorites can dry a little over time. Lose a little spark. Not this one.
On nights like this my hope returns
Though I may be miles away from her
A locket just for good luck
And a pocket knife for long nights
A sleepy little dreamer
With still miles to go
Simply put, this is as good as music gets. As good as art gets. If this was Buckner's only record, he should be considered a giant among songwriters. But it wasn't; he had plenty left. And he's still out there. And man are we fortunate to have him.
