Customer Reviews

Language Arts

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Although I like the original cover art better, this CD HAS BEEN re-released and WILL BE available in mass-abundances along with another of his 1997 releases 'Weirdo Magnet', hopefully ... soon, too....
Buck always gives us listeners a full, head-on, four-course blend of talent, styles, cuts and raw lyricism. Every song is tight, no filler, and there's some instrumental breaks, but each track has vocals hidden somewhere within. And, as always the 65er produced the whole shindig by himself..
There are 16 trks total here. The stand-out tracks to me would be: 'Frame and Fork'(nice upright bass sample/sly verse/BMX reference?),'Grindstone Cowboy'(as his alias DJ Critical's intro/ill scratches),'Bush Pilot' ('I caught you in the back room/with attachments for the vacuum'-a clever sex-rhyme/funky African-jungle-tribe sample), and 'Diesel Treatment'(a mostly intrumental/sample-filled track that clocks in @ 24mins long/cool, intense, funky, even a little CCR/this track is worth buying the CD for all by itself!!)
On 'Beauty is a Skill' he states 'I lie when I'm rhyming/I tell the truth when I'm cuttin'. Well Buck, yer a damn good liar, cuz I believe in all yer crazy adventures and aliases. And, as with all great performers, I'm sure yer best is yet to come.... whatcha got up ya sleeve for da next?

Originally released in 1997 - the 25-year old Canadian proved that he was a force to be reckoned with on his devastatingly brilliant solo debut album - "Language Arts". Buck 65 (born Richard Terfry) has an appeal like no other. Terfry was fresh out of his collaborative project with his friend and label-mate Sixtoo, the relatively unknown Sebutones. His quiet conversational flow (which also sounds like a young boy) is very engaging, personal, and sincere. The production also plays a big part in his message. The soundscapes are actually quite minimal (similar to "Vertex" [sophomore album from 1998]), which in turn makes them stronger. Although it's very minimal, it's jam packed with ideas and originality. His approach to making beats and rapping opens up a whole new spectrum of experimentation, while simultaneously keeping his perspective focused on the rawness of hip-hop's golden age.

The album starts off with the most ridiculously effective introduction ("Totem Pole"). "...this is for us, not for the underground hip hop fans, nah, this is for us. This ain't for b-boys, graph writers, DJs, and emcees, or any of them, 'cause ah..this is for us". After his well spit verses (rant), the final three minutes of the song turns into some ambient tripped out turntablism, which almost sound intrusive at the very beginning of the album. Why did he do this? Because he didn't make it for "us" (the fans). "Bush Pilot" and "Pubic's Tube" are a couple of sweet tunes. Mainly because he raps a lot about sex. That may sound unoriginal to the untrained ear, but after hearing the way he speaks about it; it all seems completely original. "Frame and Fork" and "Beauty is a Skill" glisten. My favorite track has got to be the pure perfection of "Eye Make-up Excuses".

Overall, if you are a first time purchaser of Buck 65, I would recommend getting this one first. It's got en edge to it that most average hip-hop heads will find dope and fairly accessible. If you've heard his more recent excursions of "country" hip-hop (or what ever you want to call it...which are also excellent albums), you NEED to check this out. This is a straight up classic that may not be Buck 65's greatest work ever, but I feel it's the most fun and enjoyable project in his catalog.