The Hill by Richard Buckner

Richard Buckner's The Hill (2000) is a strange masterpiece in the best possible way. Providing musical illumination to Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology, Buckner's brooding vocalisation of Masters' turn of the century Midwestern narrative is dark, haunting and deeply evocative. Richard Buckner is undoubtedly a remarkable (and underrated) lyricist in his own right, so it may seem unusual that he would opt to set someone else's words to music. Yet, the Spoon River Anthology provides the perfect setting for Buckner to display his own compositional skill. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Buckner is more than a gifted lyricist, he is also a fine musician. Bringing a highly organic arrangement style to the Spoon River Anthology, Buckner underscores Masters' moody tracts with everything from sparse, chugging rhythms to eerie a capella. The Hill is truly a wonder to behold. ℗ 2009 Merge Records