Review Summary: A very good album which can get a bit repetitive at times but it may not get to you.
Buckethead is an avant-garde guitarist, whom not many people have heard of. You probably won't hear his music on the radio, and it's even hard to find his music in a conventional CD store. Yet this 6 foot 7, KFC-bucket wearing guitarist has somehow manged to become one of underground music's most enigmatic and prominent figures. His mysterious actions, coupled with the fact that only one photo of him unmasked is known, makes him a very curious and interesting figure.
Electric Tears is a Buckethead album relased in 2002, and is probably his most mellow and calming yet. All the tracks consist of Buckethead on acoustic and electric guitars only. That's right, no drums, no bass, no anything else. Now, for other artists, this could be a complete disaster. But not for Buckethead. This is one of his most emotional and fulfilling albums to date.
Anyway, let's get on to the review...
All in the Waiting - 3:41
A great song, and a very good opener to the album. Showcases Buckethead's skill with an acoustic guitar amazingly and this song is filled with emotion. Close your eyes and listen to this song and you will feel happy and nostalgic at the same time.
Sketches Of Spain (For Miles) - 4:03
A cover of another song
Conciero de Aranjuez written by Joaquain Rodrigo. This is also the only song on the album that Buckethead didnt write. A very cool song, and a great mix of acoustic and electric guitars.
Padmasana - 11:36
The longest song on the album, also one of the best. Excellent gutiar playing, with a cool extended solo on an electric gutiar over acoustic guitar. Another great song.
Mustang - 5:36
One of the weirder songs on the album, this song is one of the most unique with a kind of electronic feel to it. Sounds kind of unnatural, but cool. Great guitar playing as usual from Buckethead.
The Way to Heaven - 5:48
A very good song, lots of riffs, picking and chords going on in this song. A 'busy' song, with several layers. One of the faster songs on the album.
Baptism of Solitude - 6:10
Very cool song, with a cool electric guitar sound to it.The style of this song is cool, kind of conventional with a post-rock kind of riff to it. A good song, but kind of drags on towards the end.
Kansas Storm - 5:31
One of the best songs on the album, with lots of cool-sounding guitar parts to it. Kind of reminiscent of a slow-building storm. Cool electric gutiar riffs in this song, very interesting and one of the more unique songs on the album.
Datura - 5:36
Cool opening, sounds like a pop can ready to explode, sort of. A very cool song, very distinct from the rest of the album. Great guitar-playing, as usual. :D
Mantaray - 4:08
One of the faster songs on the album, with a good gutiar riff and the electronic-sounding guitar parts in the background. Kind of remniscent of 'Mustang', in a way. A cool song.
Witches On The Heath - 2:38
The shortest song on the album. Cool song, kind of serves as an interlude between 'Mantaray' and the next song on the album, 'Angel Monster'. Speaking of 'Angel Monster'...
Angel Monster - 5:05
A good song, but kind of blends in with the rest of the album. Sounds very good with the electric guitar and acoustic guitar over each other.
Electric Tears - 5:29
This song is cool, and the only song that I had heard from this album prior to buying it; which is ironic, because it's (arguably) the weakest track on the album! It's still good, but pretty repetitive.
Spell of the Gypsies - 5:10
A very calming song, and a nice way to end the album. Again the guitar-playing here is fantastic and this song is very soothing and relaxing.
Overall, this album is fantastic. Some people might not like it because it doesn't have any infamous shredding by Buckethead, but I think that this album proves how versatile Buckethead is as a performer. Listen to this album, and then to 'The Cuckoo Clocks of Hell', and you'll know what I mean. Sometimes this album can get a little bit repetitive, but it never really gets to you.
Signature Tracks
All in the Waiting
Sketches of Spain (For Miles)
Padmasana
The Way to Heaven
Kansas Storm
Spell of the Gypsies
If Have a little more time on your hands, lsiten to...
Mustang
Datura
Overall Score: 4.5/5.0
