Impasse

RESTOCK. It has been four years since Richard Buckner recorded an album of original material, and two years since he released the critically acclaimed "The Hill," a musical adaptation of Edgar Lee Master's "Spoon River Anthology." He returns here better than ever, with the most striking and dynamic album in his discography. "Impasse" was recorded almost entirely as an individual effort, with Richard handling all of the recording and engineering duties as well as playing virtually every note of every instrument. The songs feature some of Richard's most complex and filled-out arrangements ever, and as always they are highlighted by his rich, emotive voice and heartfelt lyrics. Much like Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," "Impasse" moves beyond the traditional lines of alt-country and into a new, broader territory of sonic exploration while retaining an innate sincerity and a refreshing simplicity.