Let me start by saying I am a long time fan of Buckethead. I have owned his entire solo discography at one point or another, and I have about 20-25 of his works, with him and other artists, on my iPod. I have seen him once live, and anything i\'ve heard by him I\'ve either owned a hard copy of or purchased legally as an MP3.
I\'m no stranger to anything he does, and some of his work is great, and he has written some great music over the years, in all different contexts, taking influence from many styles of not only music, but from the abstract and strange literature and movies that he seems to be so very fond of. This, along with his specific general note selection and phrasing makes all of his music that spans so many different types of moods, emotions and genres "Buckethead," and only him.
Now on to his new works. A lot of it sounds like filler thrown in -- Best Regards may have been the biggest waste of $75 I\'ve ever made in my life. Very few tracks were actually even anything, it was thoughtless and motionless interplay between the three. There is a gem or two here and there however. It\'s painful to sit through this album and try to capture anything meaningful.
Spinal Clock as well did not emit anything from me. My friend picked that one up, and after hearing the album I decided I wasn\'t too willing to give money in support of that. Very ambient, but that\'s about that. Just because it\'s ambient, doesn\'t mean it has to be so lifeless and dry. There\'s no reason to give it another listen.
I have Kind Regards and Brain as Hamenoodle sitting on the desk next to me.
I\'ve yet to get to Brain and BH\'s personal album, but I can only assume it will be very similar to what I\'m hearing on Kind Regards, but even more stripped down and unattractive.
To me, it seems like Buckethead was ill, sitting in a quiet room in a hospital bed, surfing the internet about himself for the very first time on a laptop. He saw how rabid his fans are, and decided that he could release practically anything for unreasonable prices and profit with little work on his part, releasing meaningless music and also packaging stupid (but effective) "signings" and drawings.
I\'m lost practically all respect I have had for the man, who I thought lived and breathed for music. Could this not be his mindset? Maybe, but that just means the man has lost his character...which is even worse.
I\'m a huge fan of Buckethead, and at one point ranked him among my favorites for his music. I have read discussions about this on these forums, and you all seem to just believe that it\'s his manner of expression, how he feels right now. Maybe you\'re right...but no amount of the fact that it\'s what the man wants to say, makes it any more appealing as music. I\'m not particularly fond of Lady Gaga, but she\'s expressing herself...But I don\'t like the way she expresses herself! Should I still buy her work? I don\'t think so.
Please take this as it is with an open mind, I hope I have some supporters. I am basically trying to say that, Buckethead as a performing artist, is doing the worst thing a performing artist could ever do: taking advantage of a passionate fanbase. That\'s a bit much for me.
I am just wondering where all these speculations are always coming from, buckethead was sitting in his room surfing the web about himself for the first time. Hahaha.
I don\'t know how long anyone who has been complaining has been listening to buckethead but to say that this ambience and improv is a new thing couldn\'t be more wrong. If we look at some of his first releases ever the company 91 series, that is the heaviest improv I have ever heard. Or the bastard noise album from 98 or all of death cube k releases for the ambience complaint. Even In Search of The...
Granted I appreciate all these releases or I wouldn\'t be a Buckethead fan. Everyone has their own tastes in music but to attack Buckethead as though he is taking advantage of his fans I think is going a little far considering he released this type of material long before even having this size of a fanbase. I love the new releases because it is Buckethead\'s style. Buckethead has the opportunity that many never get to not be influenced by a recording corporation and to follow his own path and make the music he seems fit. You are entitled to your opinion about the type of music you like but do not act as though this isn\'t classic Buckethead or attack him.
I am just getting sick of reading these posts. This is Buckethead like it or not...(thats my opinion)
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but its simple in my mind, if you dont like it, dont buy it., yeah sure, Buckethead\'s release\'s at this point in time are nothing that would blow your mind away like other things he has put out, but again, they aren\'t horrible by any means.
I will agree with you on Best Regards, the majority of it was noodling, but there where indeed 1 or 2 tracks i really liked.
Spinal clock was ok, there was a few tracks on there i liked better than others, but none of it was unlistenable, all very experimental, if people are open to new things like that, like myself, good for them.
Kind Regards is definatley more structured than Best Regards was, named tracks and much more shortened,
structured songs are in the majority and some noodling here and there as-well, plus there is more variety and more room for each individual artist to expand on their own music style seeing as they have their own disc this time around.
Brain as Hammenoodle, is a pretty good album if your into Buckethead\'s works with Brain like Kevin\'s Noodle House, alot of real cool bass binges in this, and naturally brain is always a great welcomed addition.
Yes the new releases are horrible... Let me name a few great albums to put it into perspective - inbread mtn, Giant robot, giant robot demo tape, peppers ghost, elephant mans alarm clock, crime slunk scene, slaughter house on the prarie, colma, electric tears, and kaledioscalp - all epic albums, some of the most amazing instrumental rock you\'ll ever hear on this planet!
Niass, ff, best regards and sc were terrible! And buckefel don\'t try and defend those albums because you steal all the buckethead\'s music you listen to, so you\'re opinion doesn\'t count.
Bottom line - the new releases are nothing compared to what big-b is capable of. Noodle noodle noodle noodle record it and sell it.
QuoteI am just wondering where all these speculations are always coming from, buckethead was sitting in his room surfing the web about himself for the first time. Hahaha.
I don\'t know how long anyone who has been complaining has been listening to buckethead but to say that this ambience and improv is a new thing couldn\'t be more wrong. If we look at some of his first releases ever the company 91 series, that is the heaviest improv I have ever heard. Or the bastard noise album from 98 or all of death cube k releases for the ambience complaint. Even In Search of The...
Granted I appreciate all these releases or I wouldn\'t be a Buckethead fan. Everyone has their own tastes in music but to attack Buckethead as though he is taking advantage of his fans I think is going a little far considering he released this type of material long before even having this size of a fanbase. I love the new releases because it is Buckethead\'s style. Buckethead has the opportunity that many never get to not be influenced by a recording corporation and to follow his own path and make the music he seems fit. You are entitled to your opinion about the type of music you like but do not act as though this isn\'t classic Buckethead or attack him.
I am just getting sick of reading these posts. This is Buckethead like it or not...(thats my opinion)
As I\'ve said, I\'m a long time buckethead fan. He\'s very much always done these types of things, but there was always more of an order, passion and production to them that\'s dissapeared in my opinion. Not changed, but just not there. Something\'s off with these recordings in my opinion.
Either way, I still love what music he does put out. I haven\'t received KR and BaH in the mail yet. I think his newer stuff just needs a little bit longer time to get used to, at least for me, I fell in love with Spinal Clock as soon as I put the album on ;D Best Regards on the other hand it still taking a little bit of time for me to grasp what\'s happening on some of the tracks but, Brain seems to be dominating the whole set. Hopefully BaH isn\'t like this and the bass playing is just as amazing as all the other bass tunes/jams we\'ve all heard and loved from buckethead ;D
I wonder if buckethead reads these posts.
all hail the glory that is Big B!
I completely respect your opinion on the releases don\'t get me wrong. I just don\'t share your opinion. That\'s that trouble/beauty of music it is completely subjective.
I am just stating that it is not a new development (the improv and noodling) Bucket has had these albums all along and as in the past as now I like those tracks as well the freedom in Big b\'s music.
Let\'s all remember we are all fans of the same artist (Buckethead) which is rare in itself we just stand on opposing sides.
BUKET MAIK BETTER MUSIK PLZ
>:(
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As I\'ve said, I\'m a long time buckethead fan. He\'s very much always done these types of things, but there was always more of an order, passion and production to them that\'s dissapeared in my opinion. Not changed, but just not there. Something\'s off with these recordings in my opinion.
First off, think about it.. we dont know what buckets status was at the time they recorded any of the recent albums, all we know is that he was hurt in some form. I mean cant you just appreciate that? He releases albums, although they arent the greatest, to his fanbase WHILE hes supposed to be resting up. Give this guy props, and just that alone should make his fanbase appreciate him. Yes you do have a free opinion, but i mean to use that opinion up as saying how you think these new albums are terrible? Thats quite low. If you are a big b fan you should question yourself on that. Buckethead isnt ALWAYS gonna release what YOU like, he releases what he wants and none of us know what his future releases will be like. Who knows? People might reallly dig this new stuff, i do. If you dont like what he\'s releasing then dont buy it, let there be a review out and judge buckets work based off that review. Another thing to think about, how much has Big B released this whole year?? SBTS, BR, KR, SC. 2 Albums and 2 Sets. In less than a year. How often do other artists release this much? ALLLL this while he is injured! Respect should be given, not rants. Just stop, be patient and enjoy him while we have him.
BTW Bucketdog, grow up.. bucketfel is a fan of Big B no matter what. If he steals music, then so be it. Honestly who cares? You wouldnt dwell on the fact that he steals music from Big B and just seek revenge on him 24/7. Let him deal with that fact that hes cheating the system, just dont be so ignorant, the world steals music. Just get over it.
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BTW Bucketdog, grow up..Just get over it.
I agree. with this statement, but, bucketdog\'s first post here was great, seemed like he was a decent bucket bot, now he\'s bitching just as much as the people he was telling to shut up. a bit contradictory. >:(
What is with all the complaining all of a sudden? It\'s been one big negative rant.
You should listen to ellamental\'s new favorite song of all time and chill out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32UGD0fV45g
@gb714us and ilkeheadcheese :-*
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I agree. with this statement, but, bucketdog\'s first post here was great, seemed like he was a decent bucket bot, now he\'s bitching just as much as the people he was telling to shut up. a bit contradictory. >:(
Sorry if I let anyone down, but bucketfel basically laughed at us when we told him stealing from buckethead was wrong. And yes, people all over the world steal music, that doesn\'t make it ok.
Sorry, I can\'t stand most of his new work, take me to court if you don\'t like my opinion. I\'m sure you can make a legitimate case.... Since I BOUGHT the music I have every right to criticize it. I\'m sure the CDs in my collection won\'t cry over it, they will prolly just sit there and be CDs for all I know. Who knows, they may try to kill me tonight!!! Ahhh!!! Bwahahahaha!!
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Sorry if I let anyone down, but bucketfel basically laughed at us when we told him stealing from buckethead was wrong. And yes, people all over the world steal music, that doesn\'t make it ok.
Sorry, I can\'t stand most of his new work, take me to court if you don\'t like my opinion. I\'m sure you can make a legitimate case.... Since I BOUGHT the music I have every right to criticize it. I\'m sure the CDs in my collection won\'t cry over it, they will prolly just sit there and be CDs for all I know. Who knows, they may try to kill me tonight!!! Ahhh!!! Bwahahahaha!!
yes i know, it isnt ok to steal music but im saying whats the point of comlaining about it? Theres nothing we can do about it. Artists and fans have to deal with it i guess. If artists really cared then they wouldnt release anything due to the fact that it can be downloaded illegally, but they still continue to release albums because its everywhere. So we all just have to deal with it. In the end the artist will know who their real fans are.
Me plead guilty to being hopelessly devoted Buckethead fan and listening to new CDs full-time since Friday. Going back to my burrow now to turn it up and not coming back out.
I believe that music is something that people can argue about as much as religion (in some cases) there is no right and wrong, good and bad. Just difference in opinion, I unfortunetly sometimes share the opinion of some of you guys but at the end of the day.
We are all here for the same reason and regardless of if you think Big B is slipping, we all still buy his records because we know he can connect with us.
He hasnt fell of his game, hes just doing what he does best, being himself and pushing the boundaries. Who knows? if he didnt experiment in the past so much, we might not have had the great records like, Inbred or Peppers or Colma etc??
I think the best release of the year has been Shaddows, hands down!
Lookin\' forward to a new Dragons record, I hear Travis said its in the making at some point.
Anyway, peace... :D
^^^^ agreed 100%, well said.
My opinion on both sides of this argument has been already voiced by other bots--I respect Buckethead for releasing anything this year but I don\'t like the filler on the Regards set and wish a lot of it had been just left on the cutting room floor. Spinal Clock I actually really like but as they say, different strokes for different folks. SBTS and Brain as Hamenoodles aren\'t anything mind-blowing but both have some seriously memorable parts.
Anyway, it\'s interesting to see all this drama unfold--
If Bucket is trying to test (and or alienate) his already extremely open-minded and diverse fanbase with the regards set, I can safely say that by the rants I am seeing, he is succeeding. If with this regards set, he is trying to show us the creative process in making an album and showing us how they experiment before something truly gels, then it\'s interesting, but do those tracks really need to be as long as they are?
As other bots have stated before--Buckethead can release what he wants and it\'s our choice to buy it or not. However, as critical and intelligent people we also have a right to voice our opinions and discuss the good and bad points of his releases. Right? Or Do we just stay not say anything-- feeling discontent but afraid to speak up/pressured to stay silent?
I have a hard time believing that this is what Buckethead wanted all along--this disappointment and discord among the bots, but maybe (probably), as in most things Bucket does, there\'s a method to this madness.
Anyway,
Here\'s a question for all the bots, discontent or otherwise: best song of the year so far?
My vote is for Skeleton Dance.
Here\'s the nice thing.
There are still more Buckethead albums that I LOVE than any other artist in my collection. If he doesn\'t release something that I barf over (that\'s good), then its cool...i have plenty to listen to.
I won\'t say "if you don\'t like it, don\'t buy it"....cuz you don\'t know if you like it or not unless you buy it. Right? :)
Also...just read this... "If Buckethead is trying to test..."
Come on...what independant artist would ever put out what their fans would think is garbage to weed out "not true fans" and lose all that income? That just seems like a silly idea to me...
well i think there is a lot of true in this tread. I cant help to give my opinion to the albums ive downloaded to the albums that ive bought, but in this case the opinions change when circumstances change. To better explain, i defend FF, SC, and NIASS because i liked them, but that it cuz i didnt bought them beforehand, and i am fully aware of what they contain, but for people who bought it on the spot i can understand your position of being disapointed for spending on an album and at the end it wasnt quite your taste. Its logic and normal to feel that way, maybe thats the main reason why our opinions differ so much.
Sadly (or happly depending on the side one views the matter) when i bought SC on the spot i liked what i hear, and from time to time i contemplate the cover while hearing "Skeleton Dance".. But t could also have been that i could have been dissapointed but again its just a matter of the cirscumtances.
I also want it to be clear that i dont suport BR, just "Blue 1" and as much as i like the FF/NIASS i also think that FF is better than NIASS.
BTW, bucketdog you are a cool guy and you make an argument, but i think that when youre reading what i say you are just angry instead of seing my point of view, and failing to see that what i say over and over is that i buy them but at a really slow rate (this means i dont have money man, and you are just bashing me cuz i cant buy them at the same rate as other bots). I love your argument but plz understand me before getting the bat and trying to hit me with it
;D ;D. Love ya pal ;D
And to answer the question from the nose:
I think the best song is "Sled Ride", just so cool to hear it
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Well FUCK YOU then
Box plz, there is no need to attack other bots. u should know that everyone is entitled to their opinion :P
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Also...just read this... "If Buckethead is trying to test..."
Come on...what independant artist would ever put out what their fans would think is garbage to weed out "not true fans" and lose all that income? That just seems like a silly idea to me...
You\'re right, it is a silly idea. I guess what I was trying to say there didn\'t come across as I intended it to. Since Buckethead is purposefully releasing tracks that are by most bots standards not up to snuff, he is quite deliberately disregarding their own feelings about the content of his music. Which doesn\'t matter, to a point, Buckethead is an artist and he\'s making art--some of the stuff Picasso made really doesn\'t jive with me either, but that\'s what artists do--weird and often blatantly abrasive things. But there\'s a cool abrasive like IOLM or CCoH and there\'s
abrasive abrasive, like some of the songs off BR.
The truly silly thing here is Buckethead, an independent artist who depends on the loyalty of his fans for his income, must have known full well he was going to seriously disappoint and even alienate a good many of his fans with this set, and yet he did it anyway, potentially losing their respect, their loyalty, and therefore, income. As crazy as that sounds and why he would do that, only he knows, but it seems pretty deliberate to me.
Also to Bucketfel--yeah I love \'Sled Ride\' too! The song is so fun to listen to, and the title is perfect. I was debating between that song and skeleton dance.
I am very tolerant on this board. You can say anything about my music or anyone else\'s here. Give your opinions, rub my nose in it, just about anything. But I won\'t tolerate name calling or other abusive use of language. I don\'t care if you criticize yourselfs or me, just take care how you do it.
Also, you do know, I know who most of you are don\'t you? I wonder sometimes.
I sincerely apologize for that post Travis, what he said there just got to me, Bucketfel is a great guy, and just because he heard a few songs before he bought a CD doesn\'t mean he needs to get this crap.
Once again, I\'m very sorry.
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Also to Bucketfel--yeah I love \'Sled Ride\' too! The song is so fun to listen to, and the title is perfect. I was debating between that song and skeleton dance.
I am just saying of the albums from this year that i got. Now i remember that i got Shadows Between the Sky as a farewell gift when i was leaving Chile.
But the stadout tracks of this year that ive heard are "Sled Ride", "Shadows Bewteen the Sky", "Skeleton Dance", "Four O\'Clock Dub Down", "Blue 1", and "Green 2" but i think this last one is like a runner up. Every other track named i think is at number 1. But you know, my opinion is not as relevant as those who bought the album without knowing ;D
QuoteI am very tolerant on this board. You can say anything about my music or anyone else\'s here. Give your opinions, rub my nose in it, just about anything. But I won\'t tolerate name calling or other abusive use of language. I don\'t care if you criticize yourselfs or me, just take care how you do it.
Also, you do know, I know who most of you are don\'t you? I wonder sometimes.
Also travis on other subject. I was wondering because you said something about cracks on the cases and thats why you changed to slipcases right??
Well have you considered those cases that are made from paper? i think they are called digipak. It would be cool to see a release in that format. ;D
@boxenstein F**k me? Ok... Considering how stealing takes food away from people\'s mouths and makes their hard work (if we like the content or not) in vein. If everybody here (who actually works) did 40 hours per-week of hard work and only got paid for 30 or even 20 they would prolly say," Bloody hell, what am I doing this for? I got bills to pay and a family to feed. I quit!". It\'s very discouraging when you know some of your "fans" will just take as they please, it\'s almost like a smack in the face... I won\'t mention bucketfel again after this post. It is what it is. This is a concept you\'ll learn better, when you reach adulthood...
Big-b should be driving a "S" class Mercedes and live in a 2 million plus dollar home, I doubt he is, but he deserves to. The music business is tough and he deserves to get paid for every single tune he has ever written and that is on every single one of his fans and listeners alike computers and iPods . Even though I\'m not thrilled with the new stuff, I still acknowledge everything he has done and how hard it is to get where he is.//
Quote@boxenstein F**k me? Ok... Considering how stealing takes food away from people\'s mouths and makes their hard work (if we like the content or not) in vein. If everybody here (who actually works) did 40 hours per-week of hard work and only got paid for 30 or even 20 they would prolly say," Bloody hell, what am I doing this for? I got bills to pay and a family to feed. I quit!". It\'s very discouraging when you know some of your "fans" will just take as they please, it\'s almost like a smack in the face... I won\'t mention bucketfel again after this post. It is what it is. This is a concept you\'ll learn better, when you reach adulthood...
Big-b should be driving a "S" class Mercedes and live in a 2 million plus dollar home, I doubt he is, but he deserves to. The music business is tough and he deserves to get paid for every single tune he has ever written and that is on every single one of his fans and listeners alike computers and iPods . Even though I\'m not thrilled with the new stuff, I still acknowledge everything he has done and how hard it is to get where he is.//
Everything u said its true, but again everyone has their bills to pay.
Also is also true that ill understand adulthood, i mean is just a mental state that maybe i havent reached yet. Maybe im just missing that little jump to reality when i have to sayy "holy shit, i have debts to pay and no cash for Cds oh well im gonna starve to death, and get a loan from a bank which most likely ill end up regretting for and will have to end up living in the streets but hey Buckethead released BR and he needs to feed himself no matter how i feed myself". Hahaha, im just joking but again
that only shows my level of maturity regarding more adult realities, and i know that from almost living in the streets to finally getting to afford college. I got to love Bucketdog\'s posts, always considering other peoples lifes and realities on his statements. That just further prooves that no matter how i explain it, you are still angry, and need to vent it somehow, im here for you pal, just PM all you need to say to calm you down, just if you want. ;D ;D ;D
Also pal Bucketdog, i think u forgot to read the "im sorry" post from Box and the coment that Travis also added to that statement.
Also Bucketdog, i sincerily say i respect your coment, im just trying to make you see your faults as much as you bash my faults up my ass ;D ;D ;D
This thread just shows how passionate B\'s fans are. For me, I used to describe B to my buds (I have converted probably over 10 of them to B fans) as "this guy, with a KFC bucket on his head, and a plastic white mask." Watch them smirk or make a comment on it being a "gimmick" or something and then be completely blown away. It\'s a very satisfying feeling I know many of you are familiar with.
Today, or in the last two years (excluding some of the tunes listed above), many fans are making excuses for B\'s releases. "He\'s experimenting", or "noodling", or "jamming". He\'s resting from all the touring (we know he\'s a workaholic), he\'s recovering from an injury, spinal or otherwise, etc. This is a time where his reclusiveness is working against him. My instincts tells me something is amiss. He\'s probably reading all these posts and very frustrated.
I\'ve been part of the negative choir as well, but in thinking about this a bit it dawned on me that maybe he\'s issuing artwork, for example, because it CAN\'T be downloaded illegally, so yes he is aware of his fanbase. And quite possibly, all the LE\'s and CD-R\'s are just ways of getting music, any music, out to his hardcore fans. I held off buying Kind Regards and Hamenoodle, and need to read more reviews to make a decision-first time for me in 4 years. So far, looks like I\'m not buying.
I mentioned over on TK that it would be awesome if B released a pro shot DVD in Hi Def of his favorite shows (like Staunchy\'s multi-camera vids). I would pay whatever price was charged, and pay EXTRA for Bs signature on something like this. Or, how cool would it be to know what went into the creation and collaboration that resulted in his white Gibson being cloned for purchase! So many possibilities for income in these tough economic times, and yet he chooses what appears to be the hardest path, one that alienates fans. He could make all his fans happy without lifting a finger-literally, and make a load of money, we know he\'s an extremely intelligent artist.
Buckethead, I wish the best for you. I hope someday you\'ll let us know what the situation has been for you musically lately-we respect your privacy and don\'t wish to probe into you personal life. I\'m still very happy to have the huge back catalog of your music to listen to.
Good point eggman on the drawings not able to be illegally downloaded...if someone wants one, they HAVE to buy it...which is great for Buckethead! He will get some coin to help make up for a lot of those albums which are illegally downloaded.
I will say this...Spinal Clock has grown on me a little. Its still not an everyday spinner and I don\'t think it will be a "Giant Robot" to me...(which is still listen to very often after 12 years of Buckethead fandom)
BR has not grown on me much...i still enjoy about a discs worth of songs on it, but its an LE which is cool.
I\'m excited about Kind Regards based on the reviews I have seen on TK (minus the weirdness I hear about Brain\'s disc - but i will investigate that on my own).
Brain as Hamenoodle i\'m a little worried about but i am excited to check it out. I ordered both KR and BaH and i\'m hoping customs lets them through faster than Spinal Clock...
As an "old schooler", i find it tough to not buy something he has released because I love so much of it.
I did have a few years in the early 2000\'s that I just stopped listening to BH for a couple of years. At that time, I just wasn\'t into the technoish stuff he was getting up to. I appreciate all those albums MUCH MORE now so i\'m hoping/expecting that this may be the case with the albums i\'m not digging so much at the moment.
I\'ve thought about this a lot lately because i consider BH to be the most inspirational musician to me, and im a music-aholic...I guess what i\'m trying to say is that with so much material, you\'re not going to like everything all the time.
It\'s easy to get jaded but sweet jeebus...i have over 80 discs that he appears on....if I don\'t like the newest, I will listen to one of the older ones that I LOVE. I tend to prefer the heavier stuff...he hasn\'t delivered something like that since SOTP - Feb 2009 - really not that long ago, but it feels longer since so many other releases have come out.
To come onto THIS forum and be that harsh is just wrong. Feedback is great and i think artists should solicit and listen to feedback from their fans. Providing feedback is about being constructive though...to come on here and say you\'ve lost nearly all respect for BH is blasphemous. It may be true to you, but its rude.
Buckethead and Travis, i\'m sorry to had to read so much negativity about all of this...
I guess the lesson here is to do what you do and if people like it, they will buy it. If not, they will complain. :)
Humans eh?
@bucketfel that comment was for boxenstein... I\'m not saying anything more about you. I\'m not angry, don\'t worry about it. Peace.
Humans eh? YES!!!! Exactly....humans. Agreement to the max. They could never be as beautiful as the rest of creation...Thank you for that Jowaxe.
...and what I mean by creation is the natural world around me not the "god creation"...(just to clarify)
I think that this has to one of the most controversial periods I\'ve ever seen
Sunny day outside! Big blue California sky. Listened to Kind Regards, really loud, all morning, with big smile on face. Anybody else figured out what those songs contain? Geeez. This sort of mind-blowing originality is exactly my reason for listening to Buckethead.
^^^^^
Agreed Badgerbot! ;D
I also love Buckethead as a musician because of his mind-blowing originality, his ability to create exciting music in various musical genres and his willingness to take very daring musical chances (versus following a proven formula).
Most of the music Buckethead produces is pure magic, sometimes not so much, but for me, this just reinforces the integrity that Buckethead has as a musician.
I am also a fan of other musician such as Frank Zappa and Mike Keneally for exactly the same reasons. Are there any other Zappa or Keneally fans lurking around on this board?
I understand why people don\'t like the newer releases, BUT, no one seems to notice: BUCKETHEAD ISN\'T CURRENTLY TOURING!
The only other year when he didn\'t tour was \'07. Guess what? The most albums of one year from his carrer came out then. Can you figure it out? No touring means more albums + LE\'s. More albums means more improvising and "worse music". He has to make a living!
How damn spoiled are these people who think they are being ripped off? The new solo albums are pretty solid, even though 4 came out in \'09 and 2 came out in \'10. Even if you don\'t like them, you have to admit, they\'re not all that improvised. SC is, but in a unique way.
It appears that the same people complaining that Bucket\'s newer releases don\'t include anything fresh, are the same people who complain when he does something new like FF or SC. ::)
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Agreed Badgerbot! ;D
I also love Buckethead as a musician because of his mind-blowing originality, his ability to create exciting music in various musical genres and his willingness to take very daring musical chances (versus following a proven formula).
Most of the music Buckethead produces is pure magic, sometimes not so much, but for me, this just reinforces the integrity that Buckethead has as a musician.
I am also a fan of other musician such as Frank Zappa and Mike Keneally for exactly the same reasons. Are there any other Zappa or Keneally fans lurking around on this board?
Indeed. I love his willingness to take chances too. I\'ve given Kind Regards: BH and Melissa a couple more listens and I\'m really satisfied with this release. It\'s original and fun sounding stuff.
Zappa is a genius, no doubt. I have the Hot Rats and the Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar albums. Love Peaches en Regalia, The Gumbo Variations and Willie the Pimp!
QuoteSunny day outside! Big blue California sky. Listened to Kind Regards, really loud, all morning, with big smile on face. Anybody else figured out what those songs contain? Geeez. This sort of mind-blowing originality is exactly my reason for listening to Buckethead.
:D is it really good?? i want to listren to it but i dont got the funds now hahaha
I\'ve been kind of disappointed with everything since Bermuda Triangle, but I am REALLY DIGGING Hamenoodle and Kind Regards, so there you go! ;D
QuoteI\'ve been kind of disappointed with everything since Bermuda Triangle, but I am REALLY DIGGING Hamenoodle and Kind Regards, so there you go! ;D
since bermuda triangle!? whoa there fellow bucketbot i see you need to have some audio animatronic parts polished and replaced there. ;)
Wow!!!!
Like I said before "Keep pushing the musical boundries Buckethead."
I dont know one band or artist where I have loved everything they have released. With Buckethead being prolific as he is I am bound to find a recording that doesnt sit well with me... thats logical. Sometimes those recordings from bands that I dont like end up being awesome to me. For instance Faith No More\'s King for a Day pissed me off so much I broke it shortly after listening to it... now after hearing it with a different mindframe it has become my favorite Faith No More recording.
Basicaly what Im saying is music is art and art is subjective between individuals as well as in your own mind.
"Keep pushing the musical boundries Buckethead!"
I agree with Beau18. I feel that music that might not mean anything to you at this particular moment in time, might change in the future. Theres an Eric Johnson recording that I wasnt too sure about and then as i grew older and became more musical, I realised how much I actually loved the record. (Alien Love Child for those of you who knew who EJ is, sure everyone does haha) Anyway, As far as Kind Regards goes, I recieved it today and my honest opinion is...It doesnt mean anything to me right now, It might in years to come, thats the beauty of music. But I honestly really wanted to feel moved by it but I couldnt find it.
Sorry Bucket... :-/
Just a guess, an uneducated one at that, but I think Best Regards and forward are "email" jams. I think B (or even Brain) had loads of spare tracks from previous eras, and just handed the whole lote of \'em over to Brain, hence the Brain domination all throughout. It would explain a lot of things. Melissa could have easily overlayed her tracks anywhere on the discs, as could Bucket. I\'m thinking they were not all together "jamming". Not practical or required these days. Just check out Brain\'s studio:
http://brainbeatz.com/
I think your on to something eggman...
"I\'ll dog anybody with an egg in my hand
Not like the crack that you put in a pipe
But crack on your forehead here\'s a towel now wipe"
"Hes the Egg Man" -Beastie Boys
QuoteThis thread just shows how passionate B\'s fans are. For me, I used to describe B to my buds (I have converted probably over 10 of them to B fans) as "this guy, with a KFC bucket on his head, and a plastic white mask." Watch them smirk or make a comment on it being a "gimmick" or something and then be completely blown away. It\'s a very satisfying feeling I know many of you are familiar with.
You know Eggman,
I have always said that as long as Bucket never removes the mask and plays as that other guy then it is not a gimmick.
For proof of this please seek out Kiss 8)
Seriously though, I truly believe that, as long as he only perfoms as Buckethead, then it simply is not a gimmick.
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I am also a fan of other musician such as Frank Zappa and Mike Keneally for exactly the same reasons. Are there any other Zappa or Keneally fans lurking around on this board?
guilty.
I own every Zappa record and about 400 shows. I also have nearly all of the \'88 run wiht Keneally.
So yup. G u i l t y
Man . . . did four and one-half days go by already? Having Ham and Noodles with my Kind Regards tonight, great stuff. Last time I listened to a new composition for this long, nonstop, don\'t want to turn it off, think about getting up tomorrow to turn it back on while still going to sleep, it was when I got Somewhere Over the Slaughterhouse and Pieces - I Need 5 Minutes Alone at the same time. I was gone for days. I feel sort of the same as then, but different, and it\'s so nice. I implore all you young enthusiasts to give an old battered badger this simple joy without grumbles.
QuoteWow!!!!
Like I said before "Keep pushing the musical boundries Buckethead."
I dont know one band or artist where I have loved everything they have released. With Buckethead being prolific as he is I am bound to find a recording that doesnt sit well with me... thats logical. Sometimes those recordings from bands that I dont like end up being awesome to me. For instance Faith No More\'s King for a Day pissed me off so much I broke it shortly after listening to it... now after hearing it with a different mindframe it has become my favorite Faith No More recording.
Basicaly what Im saying is music is art and art is subjective between individuals as well as in your own mind.
"Keep pushing the musical boundries Buckethead!"
Amen to this!
Always going to find mixed reactions across the catalog of a non-formula, prolific musician, but that is what\'s makes them so special and fun to listen to.
I can find music in Buckethead\'s catalog that fits almost any mood I am in. ;)
Frame of mind does play a part, many times I have given a release a first spin, and it doesn\'t register, but then I go back at a later date and it becomes a favorite or if not, at least I am able to pick out gems from the release.
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guilty.
I own every Zappa record and about 400 shows. I also have nearly all of the \'88 run wiht Keneally.
So yup. G u i l t y
Very cool Whale_On_This! I can\'t claim to own every release (yet!)
If you haven\'t already, check out Mike\'s solo efforts, some tasty releases to be had! ;D
I\'ve never got the big deal. I\'ve kept my trap pretty much shut. I loved Best Regards, I loved Spinal Clock and I love Brain As Hamenoodle. I don\'t love them just because of who made them, but it does help. I\'ll no doubt love Kind Regards. I can\'t be the only one, and I know I\'m not.
In Search of the...Your not the only one. People are always more likely to voice their negative opinions rather than their positive ones. Many people who don\'t ever use the forums ect., their voices are not heard don\'t forget about them. I really enjoy kind regards especially the buckethead disc.
Thanks, guys. I wondered if I woke up on the wrong planet last week. Better now. I grew up listening solely and perpetually to Alex Lifeson. He is the single greatest musical impact on my frame of reference in this life other than Buckethead. The Bucket\'s playing the rest of the soundtrack to my time here, which has decades left to it. I think I have good taste, whatever planet I\'m on.
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Very cool Whale_On_This! I can\'t claim to own every release (yet!)
If you haven\'t already, check out Mike\'s solo efforts, some tasty releases to be had! ;D
Yeah I have a few.
Have you heard his work with Dweez and Ahmet in the band Z?
Also nice.
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Yeah I have a few.
Have you heard his work with Dweez and Ahmet in the band Z?
Also nice.
Z rocks! What a great band. I loves me some Ahmet! I recently (finally!) picked up the deluxe Music For Pets set. Well worth it.
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guilty.
I own every Zappa record and about 400 shows. I also have nearly all of the \'88 run wiht Keneally.
So yup. G u i l t y
Damn I miss Frank.
I have mixed feelings about Spinal Clock. I\'ve listened through it twice now. Many of the songs had really interesting licks that broke up into discordance-it made for an oddly compelling listen. They led to the penultimate song \'skeleton dance,\' which was an absolute treat to listen to. Of course, it was then followed up by the discordant \'bayou by you\'. I suspect BH may have been channeling some frustrations while he was, err, down for maintainance. I actually wouldn\'t mind another banjo album by BH if there were all more traditional songs like \'skeleton dance.\' I thought he got a great sound out of it, unlike any banjo I\'ve heard.
Was it my favorite album? No. (That belongs to Pepper\'s Ghost). Even though I wasn\'t crazy about it, I don\'t agree with making what seem to me like wild conclusions based on a few releases that one may or may not have liked. BH is easily my favorite artist, but if I don\'t like an album, I won\'t buy it, nor do I think it\'s exploitative for him to release many albums each year. Part of what makes being a fan of him so rewarding is how prolific and varied his music is. Remember, just this year alone we also got the excellent (to me) Shadows Between the Sky. Most artists seem to go years between releasing a new album.
Even if I completely dislike an album, I don\'t think that he should be making music with the sole intent of pleasing his fans. I think BH needs the creative freedom to make the music that he wants, even if he\'d know that a particular piece might not be to most people\'s tastes. In the end, I think that benefits the fans most.
I\'ve gone back and listened to songs of his I didn\'t care for before, and as my own tastes have evolved, I\'ve started to appreciate them more. The freedom to experiment lets him challenge both himself as well as his fans.
Also, kind of off topic, but if the TC is looking for a great new album, I\'d suggest Joe Satriani\'s new one, "Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards." I\'m really, really digging some of the songs on it.
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Damn I miss Frank.
You and me both bot.
You and me both.
QuoteI have mixed feelings about Spinal Clock. I\'ve listened through it twice now. Many of the songs had really interesting licks that broke up into discordance-it made for an oddly compelling listen. They led to the penultimate song \'skeleton dance,\' which was an absolute treat to listen to. Of course, it was then followed up by the discordant \'bayou by you\'. I suspect BH may have been channeling some frustrations while he was, err, down for maintainance. I actually wouldn\'t mind another banjo album by BH if there were all more traditional songs like \'skeleton dance.\' I thought he got a great sound out of it, unlike any banjo I\'ve heard.
Was it my favorite album? No. (That belongs to Pepper\'s Ghost). Even though I wasn\'t crazy about it, I don\'t agree with making what seem to me like wild conclusions based on a few releases that one may or may not have liked. BH is easily my favorite artist, but if I don\'t like an album, I won\'t buy it, nor do I think it\'s exploitative for him to release many albums each year. Part of what makes being a fan of him so rewarding is how prolific and varied his music is. Remember, just this year alone we also got the excellent (to me) Shadows Between the Sky. Most artists seem to go years between releasing a new album.
Even if I completely dislike an album, I don\'t think that he should be making music with the sole intent of pleasing his fans. I think BH needs the creative freedom to make the music that he wants, even if he\'d know that a particular piece might not be to most people\'s tastes. In the end, I think that benefits the fans most.
I\'ve gone back and listened to songs of his I didn\'t care for before, and as my own tastes have evolved, I\'ve started to appreciate them more. The freedom to experiment lets him challenge both himself as well as his fans.
Also, kind of off topic, but if the TC is looking for a great new album, I\'d suggest Joe Satriani\'s new one, "Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards." I\'m really, really digging some of the songs on it.
This might be the greatest first post I have ever seen.
QuoteI actually wouldn\'t mind another banjo album by BH if there were all more traditional songs like \'skeleton dance.\' I thought he got a great sound out of it, unlike any banjo I\'ve heard.
More banjo would be awesome. In the style of \'skeleton dance\' or otherwise.
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Even if I completely dislike an album, I don\'t think that he should be making music with the sole intent of pleasing his fans. I think BH needs the creative freedom to make the music that he wants, even if he\'d know that a particular piece might not be to most people\'s tastes. In the end, I think that benefits the fans most.
I\'ve gone back and listened to songs of his I didn\'t care for before, and as my own tastes have evolved, I\'ve started to appreciate them more. The freedom to experiment lets him challenge both himself as well as his fans.
You are right that his freedom and willingness to take risks is what makes his music so good and will make his music much better in the long run. Admittedly, I wasn\'t thrilled about some of the Best Regards stuff, but you\'re right, that may change in time, too (it often does). I can\'t tell you how many times I\'ve heard something, gone, "This is like nails on a chalkboard." And then found myself, even days later, going, "This is genius." I was pretty skeptical of Island of Lost Minds when I first listened to it, but now I think--man, who has ever made an album like that before? No one, and that\'s why it and Buckethead are so cool--he\'s out there and going where no man has ever gone before and I love him for it. ;D
Keep pushing the musical boundaries Buckethead!
Even a good intentioned swing and a miss is much preferable to my ears than a ho-hum, haven\'t we been here before album.
That was my take, is my take, and will likely always be my take.
I cut my teeth on Zappa afterall. 8)
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Yeah I have a few.
Have you heard his work with Dweez and Ahmet in the band Z?
Also nice.
I heard some cuts from Z a few years back, but at the time the CDs were out of print and I couldn\'t locate any used copies. I will have to scan the Internet to see if they are back in print.
On a side note, I recently purchased tickets for the Zappa Plays Zappa concert at the Egg in Albany, New York. I saw Dweezil and band the first time around in August 2008, excellent show! This one should be great also since Dweezil will be playing the entire Apostrophe album in running order in honor of his father\'s 70th birthday (December 21st 2010). I can\'t wait! ;D
"Children at Play" is my new favorite song.
Hrmmm . . . seem to be having discussion only with self again . . . happens a lot in the two million acre forest. Otternaught likes "Bug Spray," he\'s a playful stream dancing sort of bot, and Seagulltron likes the "Joan" follow up. No disagreement.
Then again, Children at Play takes me right to the concert scene. I\'m standing there again, all over, but at home. Brings back a concert on a certain full moon equinox where Buckethead upgraded the biorhythm of my nervous system. He had white filters in the eyes of his face and I thought I was before the Great Sphinx. The part that\'s seared into my consciousness started with the Bucket playing Hendrix right at me point blank from about five feet away. His leg stretched waaay out to press a pedal and looked sort of like one of those old "Keep on Truckin\'" drawings. Most surreal. I can\'t quite describe what happened next. The experience defies verbiage, but will always be with me.
Badgerbot gets thread all to self, kind of spacey . . . listening to quieter parts of Kind Regards. Reminds me of that time, right about this part of the year, before Halloween, when we were on the Island of Lost Minds on a cloudy night. Seagulltron and the Guardsman were there.
Music drifted over the ridge and we started up the bluff from the Bay of Beliefs. The soft, alluring tune was of a peculiarly expressive quality. Vivid impressions arose, those of loss from a distance, the sorrow of discord, and final reparation. As we topped the ridge, the melody waned to hauntingly mesmerizing, a baptism of solitude.
A peaceful, picturesque cemetery covered the hillsides as far as the eye could see. The tide was coming in beneath the necropolis. The immense graveyard was still and the music had stopped.
A lanky scarecrow wearing a white pail was posed, propped up, beside the grand arched entryway to the cemetery. Beyond the arch, a city of tombs, citadels, crypts and memorials was defined in gray hues. A flock of chickens pecked at the ground beneath the macabre graveyard greeter. Tall, thin, and dressed in denim jeans and a yellow parka, the motionless mannequin\'s arms were hugged close to its sides. A white guitar was slung over its shoulder, matching the pale featureless face and . . . bucket?
The Guardsman strode to the gateway and asked the scarecrow for directions. Beneath the white pail on its head, there was no change of expression on the porcelain visage. Suddenly, however, Buckethead hunched forward and unslung his guitar. He seemed to be returning from a disembodied state. Flexing long dexterous fingers, he continued the former melody, and his last rites transformed into a spell of gypsies.
As the melody continued, concepts and images crashed forward . . .
The strangest adventures happened on that Island, but I digress. I\'m sure the others have lots to say about more recent events. Those were goods days, though.
Peak is my favorite song :o,
ok I bought and finished listening to Buckethead\'s latest releases (Brain as Hamenoodle, Kind Regards, and Captain Eo\'s Voyage) I also have have BR and SC (both great) but I thought I\'d review the new ones here.
Brain as Hamenoodle: 8.2 out of 10. I think this is a pretty cool album. Brain sounds amazing on the drums. Buckethead seems to play a more supportive role on this with the bass but it is still great to hear him play along. Very funky. I think it is very original, too, and sounds like classic Buckethead.
Kind Regards: 8.4 out of 10. I think Buckethead plays even better on this album. There are some super sweet bass parts, and I think each of the CDs are pretty good. It is cool that there are 3 CDs worth of material.
I can see myself listening to Hamenoodle and Kind Regards a lot more. There is a lot of cool stuff there.
Captain Eo\'s Voyage: 7.8 out of 10. I have only listened to this once, so far. I\'m glad some people are digging it, but I think it is a bit too slow for me. I actually really liked The Return of Captain EO song from ARDITR. I think that album , and SBTS are better than "Voyage". I may still have to listen to it a few more times to take it in. I still think it sounds very melodic, but it is maybe a bit too polished. It does seem a bit more focused than Hamenoodle and KR, but I still prefer those two. I guess I wasn\'t really as into this one. But it is still better than most other music out, these days. I did like the bass on this, I wonder if it was Buckethead or someone else? I\'m sure I could still have some good times listening to this, but it is not quite a favorite(yet.)
It took a bunch of listens before I really started to like Captain EO\'s Voyage. Maybe it will grow on you too. I like it a lot more than I like Brain as Hammenoodle. Kind Regards has some great moments but I also don\'t find it to be nearly as good overall. Interesting to hear a different opinion, though. It is great that Buckethead can put out some much music in a few months that discussions like this are even piossible.
I find it very interesting that this album released so soon after this topic was created. To me, that feels almost like Buckethead\'s response to the issue. I realized, sometime during my second listen of the album, how struck I was by these songs. I agree that it may take awhile for the album to grow on you. Many songs are resonating even more with me since my first listen. It may be one of my favorite albums so far.