T3M Album Review: Broken Field Runner- Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe
Broken Field Runner is an intriguing band, and for quite a few reasons. One particularly prominent one is who’s actually in the band in the first place. For starters, it’s technically a one-man project… but it also isn’t. Singer-songwriter (and guitarist) Anthony Bucci takes creative lead of Broken Field Runner’s material, but the project wouldn’t be possible without musicians such as Michael Ashley, Jo-Jo Rose, Michael Cox, and Nicholas Cavin, who fill in the gaps on record and while touring. But, then again, the project would still be possible without them--and it has been possible without them.
The adaptability that comes with this “could be a solo acoustic project, could be a full-fledged rock band” mindset is a quality that makes Broken Field Runner unique, and has carried its way onto the project’s first LP: Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe. Here, frail acoustic tunes like the album’s title track “Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe” are met with with shameless pop-rock gold mines such as “I’m In A Bad Way.” Duality keeps the listener interested, and helps kill the feeling of phoniness that can sometimes accompany a one-man project. This electric/stripped-down seesaw of an album creates stark dynamics and a believability that wouldn’t be possible on a record that was strictly full-band or acoustic.
Bucci’s intricate lyricism pushes the album even further. His finesse is obvious--each word appears carefully crafted, sculpted to pack either a personal or political punch. Bucci drops lyrical bombs, with lines such as “And if I drink myself to death with my father’s flask, am I just as bad / As a good man” and “It’s alright / Even soldiers eat their guns sometimes” cratering the album.
However, despite Bucci’s detailed lyrical work, there are times when the musicality of the album falls a little short. That’s not necessarily a bad thing (the saying “less is more” exists for a reason), but, on a song-to-song basis, the complexity of the lyrics is occasionally offset by the use of only a small handful of chords, or relatively simple rhythms. The lyrical content of this album is so polished that a few more musical risks (be it melodies, tempo changes, technical nuances, or characteristics of the sorts) could have given the record even more of a boost.
Despite this (and more importantly), Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe is an album that comes bearing a message to listeners. The social commentary (found on songs such as “Peace Offerings” and “Wrong”, amongst others) opens the gates for important conversations, with discussions regarding the perpetuity of historical mistakes, the consequences of addiction, and more, plastered throughout each song. In addition to this, Bucci doesn’t compromise addressing his own personal strife for a more worldly dialogue--he instead weaves together both society’s internal and external plights to create a well-rounded, important piece of commentary.
In all honesty, Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe should be setting lyrical goals for other artists. It’s an album that pushes for change, yet isn’t an all-knowing gospel for progress. So, sit down, pull up the lyrics (which can be found on the Broken Field Runner Tumblr page), and dwell on the state of humanity for a bit--and don’t forget to enjoy the music while you’re at it.
Favorite Tracks: Black Irish, Clear A Heaven So This Earth Can Breathe
I turned 25 last year and had a somewhat exaggerated realization: I haven't done anything in a quarter century. I haven't accomplished anything artistically. I haven't helped anyone I care about. I have accomplished nothing. So I asked my friend Ron Grieco if he wanted to start a record label. He accepted and Barn Burner Records was born.
A few months later I remember we texted my friend Steve Layman and said, "who's putting out your next record?" He shyly replied, "I'm not popular enough for anyone to be interested in releasing one of my records, but maybe some day. Why do you ask?"
Last week we put up pre-orders for a record that has my quarter-life crisis's logo stamped on the back. Last week we helped a kid with nothing but passion and brutal honesty show the world what he's got. If you've got a few pennies to rub together, I urge you to check out the following link and order a vinyl record that Steve sweat and bled into and that we went all in on.
Determined not to let the dissolution of his band Caleb Lionheart mark the end of his musical and creative output, former frontman Tony Bucci grabbed himself a guitar and began writing to write songs under the name Broken Field Runner. Above is an HD session that we shot for his song “Wrong”, which can be heard on his demo recordings, linked below. His music exhibits equal parts intelligence and passion, and his lyrical abilities are incredibly eloquent. You’d be remiss not to give his music a few minutes of your time and thought.
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/brokenfieldrunner
Stream the Broken Field Runner demo:
http://brokenfieldrunner.bandcamp.com/
BFR on Tumblr:
http://brokenfieldrunner.tumblr.com/
Follow our blog for exclusive video and sessions from your favorite punk / hardcore artists here:
Determined not to let the dissolution of his band Caleb Lionheart mark the end of his musical and creative output, former frontman Tony Bucci grabbed himself a guitar and began writing to write songs under the name Broken Field Runner. Above is an HD session that we shot for his song "Black Irish", which can be heard on his demo recordings, linked below. His music exhibits equal parts intelligence and passion, and his lyrical abilities are incredibly eloquent. You'd be remiss not to give his music a few minutes of your time and thought.
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/brokenfieldrunner
Stream the Broken Field Runner demo:
http://brokenfieldrunner.bandcamp.com/
BFR on Tumblr:
http://brokenfieldrunner.tumblr.com/
Follow our blog for exclusive video and sessions from your favorite punk / hardcore artists here:
