Secret House Against the World [Import]

Amazon.com
Many artists claim to have been inspired by a variety of musical styles, yet their actual music seems to come in one genre and in one speed. Not Buck 65 (a.k.a. Rich Terfry). The Nova Scotia native has spent almost 20 years listening and to and playing music, influenced by everyone from Johnny Cash to Kiss. It shows--all coming together in his infectious musical style. Secret House Against The World can almost be split down the middle into two different categories: half of this disc is full-on, dark, twangy country (the first track, "Rough House Blues," could easily be mistaken for a '70s Cash number). The other style on his CD--exemplified by "Kennedy Killed The Hat" and "Devil's Eyes"--is an electro-pop/hip-hop fusion, with an almost Beck-meets-Frank-Zappa feel. In both styles, the lyrics shine through with cutting cleverness. "The Floor" is Buck 65 at his most candid, evoking Leonard Cohen-esque vocals as he takes on the subject of physical abuse, the somber tune lushly enhanced by everything from banjo to violin to DJ scratches. Since Buck 65's fans include members of Radiohead and Sloan, he seems to be well on his way up the ladder to success. Hype aside, Secret House Against the World is a wonderful, eccentric collection of frenzied beats and twisted country tunes that's likely to stay in your player for quite some time. --Denise Sheppard

Secret House Against the World,Buck 65,Wea International,Alternative Rap,Canada,Pop,R&B/Soul,Rock,Rock/Pop,Underground Rap

Average customer rating:

Just a first impression
Some artists truly leave their mark whether noticed or un-noticed
Amazing
A Tsunami Of Music
A classic.

Secret House Against the World
Buck 65
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Square
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Vertex

ASIN: B0009RJP3M
Release Date: 2005-07-11

Tracks:

Rough House Blues
Devil's Eyes
Le 65isme
The Suffering Machine
Surrender To Strangeness
Kennedy Killed The Hat
The Floor
Blood Of A Young Wolf
Drunk Without Drinking
Blanc-Bec
Corrugated Tin Facade
Drawing Curtains
Devil's Eyes (Piano Version)

Amazon.com

Many artists claim to have been inspired by a variety of musical styles, yet their actual music seems to come in one genre and in one speed. Not Buck 65 (a.k.a. Rich Terfry). The Nova Scotia native has spent almost 20 years listening and to and playing music, influenced by everyone from Johnny Cash to Kiss. It shows--all coming together in his infectious musical style. Secret House Against The World can almost be split down the middle into two different categories: half of this disc is full-on, dark, twangy country (the first track, "Rough House Blues," could easily be mistaken for a '70s Cash number). The other style on his CD--exemplified by "Kennedy Killed The Hat" and "Devil's Eyes"--is an electro-pop/hip-hop fusion, with an almost Beck-meets-Frank-Zappa feel. In both styles, the lyrics shine through with cutting cleverness. "The Floor" is Buck 65 at his most candid, evoking Leonard Cohen-esque vocals as he takes on the subject of physical abuse, the somber tune lushly enhanced by everything from banjo to violin to DJ scratches. Since Buck 65's fans include members of Radiohead and Sloan, he seems to be well on his way up the ladder to success. Hype aside, Secret House Against the World is a wonderful, eccentric collection of frenzied beats and twisted country tunes that's likely to stay in your player for quite some time. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews:

Just a first impression.......2006-12-19

I will preface this by saying I have soaked up as much Buck65 as I could find in perhaps the last 3 years. Going so far as to get the likes of DJ Signify and pick up Josh Martinez.

I have never found the Buck65 cd that didn't immediately affirm my belief that he has more creative equity than almost every other artist and he throws out great narratives on geat songs... he's Bukowski, Cash and an old fisherman roled into one.

This cd however didn't imake the normal impression on me and I am frankly a bit disappointed. I have listened to it but once and it might be wiser to listen to it a few times as it might grow on me. But if it needs to grow on me it isn't the standard Buck65 fare as far as i am concerned.

As of Dec 29th the cd has grown on me and though I prefer other of Buck65's cds I like it more than I did at first considerably. be well

Some artists truly leave their mark whether noticed or un-noticed.......2006-07-25

Secret House against the World is my first forray into Buck 65, and I have to say that this is one of the most intriguing and artistic albums I have ever heard. And the fact that it is coming from an emcee makes it even more amazing. The musicianship on this album isn't that particularly complex, and it doesn't have to be, its stunningly simplistic and beautiful. Obviously a throw back to the artists influences, I believe this is Buck's chance to show the world that he is not just a "rapper", but rather an artists in general. His creative force is supreme on this album and I would highly recommend this to everyone. There is a huge country influence on this album, more of the classic country(think highwaymen), and creates a sort of melencholy sound which is beautiful. Of course there are hip hop influences such as turntables and tight beats and the occasional flow, and folk influences and indie rock. Buck also displays his Canadian heritage through the French language, and being a Canadian myself, I really feel this. A must own in my books, but one that may fall on deaf ears, especially those who only have tastes for mainstream and pop hip hop and pop rap.

Amazing.......2006-07-22

This is an amazing cd. There is a great variety of songs on this particular album of his. i particularly like Devil's Eyes, Devil's Eyes (Piano Version), The Suffering Machine, Kennedy Killed the Hat, Rough House Blues, and Blood of a Young Wolf. There are songs in french as well as english, which I think proves that he is proud to be a Canadian. The lyrics are very well though-out and some, if you listen hard enough, could actually give you some good advice. If you like this cd, you'll probably like Talkin' Honkey Blues as well.
-Kat from Canada

A Tsunami Of Music.......2006-06-12

I was recommended Buck 65 by a friend who literally told me nothing about the band, other than that I was bound to like it. I wasn't even given an album title to pursue. So, on a whim, I picked up Secret House Against the World.

It is a rare and wonderful pleasure to approach something new with absolutely no expectations and be rewarded in abundance. I experienced that kind of thrill when I first discovered The Shins (living in Seoul, South Korea and being separated from all forms of English TV means that I miss all the press coverage of the latest and greatest bands), Alabama 3, and even, back in the day, Beck.

Buck 65 is certainly a musical maverick. He doesn't sit still, and much like the weather in Missouri, if you hear something you don't like, just give it a minute. Heavy on the craft, and light on the crap, this music pounds away at the edges of convention and leaves them crumbling and ragged.

It is a daunting task to try to describe this music, and I no longer wonder why my friend left me with just a name and no explanation. I could try to compare this album to a hasty conglomeration of others (and, honestly, I kinda did two paragraphs ago), but that's doing Buck 65 a disservice.

Let's put it this way: Buck 65's lyrics are potent and tightly woven. They are, in every sense of the word, poetry, and of a high caliber. Some might argue that the words tend to plod, given the repetitive rhyming schemes and their gravelly and sometimes uninflected delivery, and that's fair enough, but I still think, in spite of that, the language soars, and it is buffeted up by music that is unique in almost every way.

Unique is a hard thing to be, and not just because it takes skill, but also because a lot of people don't necessarily care for it. I can see how someone might hate this album. It is chewy and frenetic (Kennedy Killed the Hat). It is fathoms deep and sparkling with black lights (The Floor and The Suffering Machine). It is its own kind of creature, a chimera of country, hip-hop, synth pop, with a dash of funk and flophouse rock.

If off-beat, new, intriguing, honest, and smart music is in any way your thing, then you should check this album out. And, if it's still possible after reading this review, try to approach the music without expectations.

Because the expectations you don't have will be blown away.

A classic........2006-01-12

Buck 65 pretty much puts his heart out on this album, making it a classic. Every track is incredibly original. This is what Lucy Ford was for Atmosphere. Or what Healthy Distrust was for Sage. I would highly sugest buying this album. You will probably like it a lot. I can see myself in a week knowing all the lyrics to this album.