I have to admit, I had my doubts. Prior to the release of the album I had read Spoon River Anthology and thought it clever enough for early 20th century poetry. I never would have guessed Richard Buckner could have made it so listenable. Upon listening to "The Hill" you realize the words of Edgar Lee Masters were simply made for Richard Buckner to sing. All of those dark gothic tales fit perfectly with his style. This is the ideal soundtrack for an evening alone with all of the lights turned down, a glass of bourbon on the rocks, and a contemplative state of mind. It's like being able to peer behind the sunny veneer of "The Waltons" and see the seamy side of American life during that much-romanticized time. If you're a fan of Buckner, then you need this one. Yeah, the fact that it's just one long track is rather inconvenient, but it's worth an entire listen everytime you put it on. My only complaint is that it isn't longer.