 | Tracklist:
1. Whitewash
2. For Mom
3. Ghost
4. Hills Of Eternity
5. Big Sur Moon
6. Machete
7. Wishing Well
8. Lone Sal Bug
9. Sanctum
10. Wondering
11. Watching The Boats With My Dad
12. Ghost/Part 2
13. Colma
| Ranking: #34 for 1998 | |
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On 38 Lists
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5 of 5 thought this review was well written
Beautiful is a term that usually doesn't come to mind when you first think ace guitar player Buckethead. Perhaps more fitting terms would be mysterious, unique or maybe even just plain weird. For the majority of his career, Brian Carroll better known as Buckethead, has been known to create some of the most surreal and anomalistic music ever to grace this world. From his earnest beginnings using samples of old Japanese television programs to the all-star collaborations on his 2005 album Enter the Chicken, Buckethead has always remained one of the more eclectic guitarists of his time. However despite all the bizarre tendencies that define the bulk of his music, Buckethead also has one more factor that helps him stand out above the rest of today's guitar players: his unparalleled sense of melody. Throughout his early career, many subtle hints of this skill presented themselves in his playing sparingly, but it wasn't until 1998 album Colma that these qualities finally garnered the limelight they always deserved.
It is really with Colma that Buckethead unveiled his true potential, creating 13 tracks of the easiest listening you'll ever hear. Whats even more astounding is his ability to give each of the songs their own unique flavor, distinguishing themselves from one another with apparent ease. Some songs such as opener "Whitewash" or "Colma" display a melancholic edge to Buckethead's acoustic playing, with both songs containing very eerie and claustrophobic yet melodic twists throughout. Other songs however, like "For Mom" and "Hills of Eternity" are examples of more joyous, easy going melodies. "For Mom" in particular is a standout, with its layered harmonies and almost tropical sounding chords played during the climax of the song. Another song that deserves mention as one of the best songs on the album (and even Buckethead's entire catalog) is "Big Sur Moon". Combining alternate picked arpeggios with an echo effect, the song is just absolutely loaded with intriguing and highly addictive hooks.
Another element in the outright success of Colma is the subtle use of background keyboards and outside instruments. Sixth track "Machete" is the perfect example, with cold, futuristic swathes of keyboard perfectly unifying with the soft, clean electric guitar strums. Track "Lone Sal Bug" utilizes the Cello, cleverly using the instrument for bass and brilliantly letting it deviate to create its own majestic harmonies. It really adds another dynamic and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.
While this is mainly an acoustic album, and while its main purpose is to inspire relaxation, no Buckethead record would be complete without his signature eccentric quirks. "Sanctum" is a perfect example, with a hip-hop inspired effected drum beat, and a crawling bass line. Its not before long that the song explodes with the masked maestro's speed defying solos, combining elements of blues, neo-classical and even some avant-garde guitar into short little bursts. "Wishing Well" also features some of Buckethead's great soloing, bringing more of a Spanish guitar style into play.
Majority of the time, something beautiful can come of even the worst situations, and the Colma album couldn't be a better example. Created for the enjoyment of his mother whilst recovering from cancer, Colma is more than just a bunch of songs thrown together, it's a testament of his support and love to his mother. While to some, this might seem pathetic and cheesy, if it wasn't for the strong emotions felt by Buckethead back then, nobody would be able to enjoy such a strong, uplifting album such as Colma today.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4.5
Fuck yes, Buckethead.
Digging: Rites of Thy Degringolade - Totalitys Commad Digging: Rites of Thy Degringolade - Totalitys Commad | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Fuck yes
Love this like crazy
Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure Digging: El-P - Cancer For Cure | | |
This is a really cool review dude, I have no experience with this guy at all though. My only gripe would be the first sentence of your last paragraph, it reads slightly awkwardly, might just be me though.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thanks yeah, it does seem a little awkward now that you mentioned it, so i'll probably fix. But anyway, this album could literally be enjoyed by everyone, so i would definitely look into listening to it.
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I like putting this album on and playing along to it. Great album.
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Really love this album..
Of his, I probably only prefer Cuckoo Clocks of Hell over this.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Great album. For Mom, Big Sur Moon, Machete, and Watching The Boats With My Dad are my favourites
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Troll negggeedddddd
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
definitely one of his most solid albums to date, i enjoy this as much as elephant man's alarm clock
Digging: Haunted Shores - Cyclamen/Haunted Shores Split Digging: Haunted Shores - Cyclamen/Haunted Shores Split | | | Album Rating: 3.5
i love Machete and For Mom. This album is amazing. Review is good too. Pos'd
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thanksss
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I love it when people say "buckethead just makes weird noises" or "buckethead does nothing but shred" and I just tell them about this album.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Just discovered this album yesterday (though not buckethead, I've liked him for about a year) and It is probably my soft album done by a guitar virtuoso. Great review too. Pos.
Digging: Yoko Shimomura - Piano Collections KINGDOM HEARTS Field & Battle Digging: Yoko Shimomura - Piano Collections KINGDOM HEARTS Field & Battle | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thank you!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This rules so much.
Digging: Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here Digging: Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here | | | Album Rating: 4
damn right
Digging: Meshuggah - Koloss | | | Album Rating: 4.5
yes this is fantastic
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