Pendulum Swings in Clarence Bucaro’s favor
Credit Clarence Bucaro for establishing his reputation as a serene, serendipitous crooner whose credibility as a serious songwriter has managed to win him favor with fans of easy, breezy melodies and folks who recognize and appreciate honest, heartfelt expression. Bucaro is one of those rare artists who manage to achieve both goals; much like Paul Simon and James Taylor, he’s able to offer up optimism and circumspect all within the space of a single song, enticing and entrancing his listeners all in the same breath. Indeed, Bucaro’s built a career on crafting superb songs, many of which sound like standards even on first hearing. His excellent new album Pendulum demonstrates those skills and more, with offerings that literally seem to shine, bringing both a restful repose and thoughtful exposition all at the same time. There’s literally not a single song that doesn’t aspire to a higher standard here, with the title track, “Barcelona,” “Girl in the Photograph,” “My Heart Won’t,” “Quiet Man,” and “Strangers,” a deliriously beautiful with co-writer Allison Morrer, coming across not so much as standouts but rather as exquisite examples of the excellence Bucaro achieves with every time out. (Heck, we’ve just managed to name dropped more than half of the album right there.) Soothing, sublime and emotionally intoxicating, this is the kind of albums upon which reputations are built. There’s no reason to think that this Pendulum won’t swing his way and bring him the star status he’s deserved butbeen denied for far too long.