Review

The great singer-songwriter steers American roots music beyond the confines of tradition.
Though his brief stint with MCA in the late '90s didn't produce the numbers to keep him in the majors, Richard Buckner's two releases for the label (Devotion + Doubt and Since) remain arguably his finest works. As such, it's a good sign that Meadow marks a reunion with producer J.D. Foster, who also produced those two albums. Both Buckner and Foster connect deeply with American roots music but seek to steer it beyond traditional boundaries. Meadow finds Buckner pushing more pointedly toward alt-rock territory, thanks in part to the contributions of ace ex-Guided By Voices guitarist Doug Gillard, who especially shines on the riff-driven leadoff track, "Town." But it's still Buckner's voice, rich with melody and character, that leaves the most indelible imprint on the songs, whether he's stretching out syllables on the swooning "Mile" or singing softly over the acoustic guitar backdrop of "The Tether and the Tie."