Buck Meek’s fourth solo album was made with a little help from his friends; all of his Big Thief compadres are involved in some capacity, and he’s also joined by a cast which includes Mary Lattimore and his brother Dylan. If the musings of his host band can sometimes be a little oblique, The Mirror by contrast has a more direct philosophy, the singer often grappling with self doubt and over thinking.
Lo-fi in approach but not bare bones, Meek’s voice has a down home quality might be taken as affectation in others, but the material here is simple but never plain. Opener Gasoline has an urgency which rumbles beneath the modern moonshine charm, the theme a song about love but not in many ways ending up being a love song.
The Mirror cycles through Americana, indie rock and folk, but interest is maintained thanks to this never straightforward lyrical pan, a recital which covers everything from spitting back at critics (Heart In The Mirror), abusive relationships (Can I Mend It) and religion (God Knows Why). At it’s most effective on the gentle closer Outta Body and via Demon’s existential choral flourishes, like the object of it’s title, every time it’s looked in The Mirror throws back something different, but the same.
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The Voice Of Unreason 