Tony Barnett

Fans of the deep-voiced and brooding Richard Buckner have waited four years for the singer/songwriter to follow-up "Since," his last album of all original, studio-produced material. The in-between time has been filled with EPs, live recordings and an engagement of literature and poetry. With the release of "Impasse," on Chicago's Overcoat Records, those devotees of Buckner can breathe easy as the melancholy and earnest singer/songwriter hasn't lost any of his edge. He's not as passive-aggressive as he was on "Since," nor is he as despondent as 1997's spectacular downer "Devotion + Doubt," but that's probably a good thing, considering that an album like that should (luckily) only come around once in someone's lifetime. Not to say "Impasse" doesn't have its moments of despair and earthy insights, but instead of making the heart feel heavy as lead, Buckner strikes a chord of comfort and solace while still maintaining his signature starkness. This performance at Schubas is touted as the record-release party for "Impasse," so for those who have not been witness to Buckner's latest bearing of the soul, here's your chance. Richard Buckner plays November 22-23 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508.

(2002-11-20)

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