What makes Surrounded by Richard Buckner notable?

Upon its release, 'Surrounded' received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and minimalistic production, appearing on several year-end lists for best albums. It further solidified Buckner's influence within the alternative country genre, drawing attention from both longtime fans and new listeners alike. By the time 'Surrounded' was released in 2013, Richard Buckner had already established himself as a formidable figure in the alt-country and indie rock scenes, known for his poignant songwriting and distinct vocal style. This album marked his first release since 2008's 'Our Blood', showcasing a return to form after a five-year hiatus.

How many songs are on Surrounded?

Surrounded has 9 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Surrounded

Richard Buckner · 2013

33 min · 9 tracks · indie rock

A haunting exploration of introspection wrapped in sparse arrangements and Buckner's evocative, weathered vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Surrounded — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of isolation and introspection with a haunting melody that lingers long after it ends.
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Beautiful Question — This track features a delicate interplay between lyrics and instrumentation, highlighting Buckner's ability to evoke profound emotion through simplicity.
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Mood — With its layered storytelling and atmospheric soundscape, 'Mood' exemplifies Buckner's skill at creating immersive musical experiences that resonate deeply.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's sparse arrangements and introspective lyrics create a cohesive and haunting listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of sparse instrumentation, often relying on acoustic guitar and minimalistic arrangements to support Buckner's vocals.
Each track typically maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a reflective atmosphere that invites introspection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Surrounded 2:49
2 When You Tell Me How It Is 4:28
3 Beautiful Question 2:52
4 Foundation 3:16
5 Portrait 3:11
6 Mood 4:35
7 Go 2:34
8 Cut 4:17
9 Lean‐To 5:42

What to play next

Go back to

Our Blood

2011

Full Richard Buckner discography Artists like Richard Buckner

alternative country country folk indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata