Buck 65 - Secret House Against the World

Belvedere Jehosophat - Thursday, 25 August 2005 - Print Version

for Captain Dan

I'm guessing you've either heard of Buck 65 or you haven't. (Yes, I realise that this is an obvious thing to state given the mutual exclusivity of the options, but indulge me, please.)

Now, if you have heard of Buck 65, then you've probably already decided whether you like what he does or not. If you don't I can't imagine there's anything in Secret House Against the World that will convince you to change your mind. If you do, well, there's plenty more here of the stuff you do like, and, really, that should be enough to send you on your way to pick up this CD.

OK, dealing with the initiated was easy. Describing what he does to the uninitiated is a little bit harder.
The concept isn't really new; what we're loosely talking about is a hip hop/country hybrid. A hip hop/country hybrid as filtered through the eyes of a Nova Scotian.

Musically, there are two sides to Secret House Against the World; the country heavy songs, with slide & pedal steel guitars, violins, etc - and the Beck/Eels quick-clipped 'party' numbers.
Of course, holding all of this together you'll find the three elements indispensable to hip hop: beats, turntables (used sparsely to great effect) and (pervasively) the rhymed couplets.

Buck 65's lyrics are insular but certainly not impenetrable, though he definitely isn't the cheeriest man in the universe.
It's a little more difficult to rate Buck 65 as an MC as he never really stretches himself. In fact, his delivery is more reminiscent of spoken word than rap. This isn't a criticism, mind you, because his flow fits the music perfectly.
My first thought upon hearing Secret House, I should add, was that he sounded a lot like Sage Francis.

Ultimately, when it comes together, as it does, for example, on "Blood of a Young Wolf," the results are rather spectacular. (Of course, without detracting from "Blood of a Young Wolf" in any way, my last statement is actually largely true for any song that has the presence of mind to reference Frida Kahlo, Neko Case and Ingmar Bergman.)
This, though, is only one of several rather spectacular songs.

Secret House Against the World is a very good CD but I'd suggest you give it a thorough listen before you purchase it lest you be one of those who hates but doesn't know.

Peace to The Brag who threw this thing in my direction.

twisting incognito

Belvedere Jehosophat