Search - Buck 65 :: Weirdo Magnet

4.5 - Just may attract you

7th Angl | Ontario, Canada | 09/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While often labelled an avant garde emcee, Buck 65 merely melds hiphop with his own aesthetic and poetic style. Perhaps this style is most accurately explicated as fervent, almost fervent spoken word (I believe that he is comparable to Sage Francis, albeit more subdued). "Weirdo Magnet" is a more than adequate introduction to this unique individual, as it is a collection of varying selections, ca. 1988-96. It is also the first chapter of a more grand series of recordings by Buck known as Language Arts. On the production tip, all songs are self produced and utilize obscure breaks, and some recognizable ones too (like Three Dog Night's "Old Fashioned Love Song"). Some tracks even flourish with eerie or just plain silly instruments and sound effects. The subject matter is quite lively, running the gamut from bicycle maintenance to science formulas and reminiscences on how cool Buck was in his youth. Sardonic humour persists throughout each track, as Buck is but all too willing to indulge in each tale or narrative divulged. Buck's trademark seems to be the abstract quality inherent to his lyrical style, which is controlled, and he is careful to never allow it to stray into the realm of the abstruse. Buck does, however, leave plenty of room for one's own interpretation. This musician is steadily gaining deserved acclaim in Canada, and is even cited as a fave by Radiohead's Thom Yorke. I Cannot wait for Buck's next opus. At one time, track listings were available for "Weirdo Magnet" at Buck65.com, though it is possible that they have been removed at some point since then."