Description
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Texas-born singer/songwriter and Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek has released his third solo album, Haunted Mountain, following the success of his acclaimed 2021 release, Two Saviors. The album delves into the complexities of love and explores something beyond love itself—a soulful and introspective essence that coexists with love but offers a contrasting perspective. Meek acknowledges the challenge of writing genuine love songs in contemporary times, noting that it often feels like all the great love songs have already been written.
The lead single, “Haunted Mountain,” features heartfelt lyrics co-written by Meek and fellow Texan musician Jolie Holland, who contributes to the songwriting process on five tracks from Haunted Mountain. The initial verses and chorus of the song were penned by Holland as a tribute to Mount Shasta in northern California, expressing love for the natural beauty of the location. Meek adds the final verse, addressing the concept of reciprocity with nature. Love is often personified through nature on the album, with references to crystal ball dew-drops, green rivers and grasses, and bottled tears. At times, love takes on artificial or cosmic dimensions, encompassing mood rings, earrings, jeans, motorcycles, and even spacecraft. It becomes a conscious force interacting with the lovers, observing them, and occasionally assuming their identity. Haunted Mountain explores the idea of love as a form of magic and explores the boundless connection between a mother and her child.
Buck Meek’s band remains consistent throughout Haunted Mountain, featuring Adam Brisbin on guitar, Austin Vaughn on drums, and Mat Davidson on pedal steel and bass. Additionally, Ken Woodward joins the lineup as a bassist, and Meek’s brother, Dylan, contributes piano and synths to the album. Produced by Mat Davidson, the album was recorded and mixed by Adrian Olsen in a two-week timeframe. Olsen also adds sonic manipulation through modular synthesizers, which can be heard throughout Haunted Mountain. With its thought-provoking themes and captivating musical arrangements, Buck Meek’s Haunted Mountain is a testament to his songwriting prowess and artistic evolution.
