REVIEW : Arthur Buck 2 - The Arts STL

Arthur Buck is not a person but a band, or rather a duo comprised of singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, reteaming again seven years after their self-titled debut. 

Does it sound like R.E.M.? Well, the very first seconds of opener “Everywhere” rings and chimes so familiarly that you’ll want to sing out “The wooorld is collapsing around our ears…” And while the best songs are tailored towards Buck’s strengths, on balance the album sounds more like a Butch Walker solo album—that is, alt-rock that wears its ‘70s classic rock influences on its sleeve. 

“No Answer,” for example, could be a Cheap Trick song, while “Sleep with One Eye Open” is surprisingly bluesy and “Love at First Sight” and closer “Not So Modern Man” lean heavily on Bowie-isms. It is a little wild hearing Buck playing on, say, a song with the lyrics “Your body, made of sin/ Your booty banging again,” but Arthur has enough swagger to pull it off. 

Will I listen again?: It’s not leaping to the top of the pile, but it’s fun enough that I’ll probably listen again at some point. 

Jason Green