Customer Reviews

POPULATION OVERRIDE

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My search for cool guitarists pays off again. I must do great research. I first heard the name Buckethead when he joined the ill fated reformation of Guns N Roses. I have to admit my only reaction was "The guy wears a chicken bucket on his head and a Jason mask?" Then his name kept coming up when I was reading about Bill Laswell. Finally I got a chance to listen to this album at a Border's listening station. While I realize that some of his albums can be louder and more "out there", "Population Override" is a jazz rock classic. It's absolutely perfect. I don't understand why he needs the bucket but I'm hooked. I've picked up "Colma" as well and will probably make my way through the rest of his catalogue as well. He really is that good. Recommended if you're into Vernon Reid.

Buckethead is a phenomenal guitarist! That said, let's take a look at this release. First, I concur with the previous postings. I love "Earth heals herself", as well as, "too many humans" and "a day will come." I actually love this entire cd! Buckethead does what many "players" cannot do. He paints a picture with his music! He's well beyond mere "shredding", he's transcended into the "Hendrixian" realm of "sending you somewhere with his SOUNDS!" The art of "painting with the guitar" seems to be lost amongst all the "microwavable" players out there. you might occasionally luck up on a Dave Fiuczynski, David Torn, or reminisce with the Allman brothers and "blue sky" or feel Clapton rip "white room" and of course there's the finger painting of "earl klugh", but to hear a player just take the instrument and break it out of the proverbial "box" is exciting! THAT's BUCKETHEAD and "population override." This guy is GOOD! NO! HE's GOOD and a PLEASURE to listen to. This cd is well put together and most important, listenable! Enjoy, I know I did!

This is a really great album from start to finish. It is very original sounding. If had to describe it I would use words like jazzy, funk, avant-garde, smooth, and easy going. It features the guitar virtuoso Buckethead who is in my opinion the best guitar player ever and this is arguably his best album. Travis Dickerson is on keyboard and compliments Bucket perfectly. Pinchface does a great job on drums as always. You can also get this CD and other Buckethead Cds at [...]. This website also features other albums with Buckethead and Travis that I highly recommend if you like Population Override: like Chicken Noodles or anything by Thanatopsis.

Buckethead has surely made up a name for himself over the past decade. It is hard to tell, however, if he draws more attention for the Bucket he wears on his head and mask on his face, or for the fretboard he so gracefully lights up. Sadly, I believe it is the first.

Buckethead does an excellent job of fusing blues, rock, and hints of jazz into this album. His phrasing is beautiful, and proves himself much more worthy than mindless shredders of the past decade (i.e. John Petrucci). This man makes the guitar cry.

There is not one song I do not thoroughly enjoy on this album, but if I had to choose a few standout tracks, they would be "Too Many Humans" and "Earth Heals Herself". I hope that in following years, that this album becomes influential to both guitarists and musicians around the world. Its a shame this artist is more often laughed at for his bucket, than praised for his virtuostic ability on the guitar. Five Stars. Easy.

Buckethead has learned what a lot of shredders have yet to learn is that
less is more, this CD evokes early Carlos Santana, Robin Trower,Gary Moore.He mixes the jazz and the blues just right, if he ever gets a lead singer he will go over the top.Maybe he could gig with Warren Haynes and Gov'T Mule ? It would be like the Mule in Technicolor !

This album is definately one of my most favorite because its the sound that Travis and Bucket have gotten. Its complete cohesion on both parts. They really click together. Mainly I love it cause songs like "Unrestrained Growth", they give you a picture with music of what its like for the corporate world to experience growth unrestrained. The whole album i think is a concept of an apocalyptic sort. The concept is so great that i forget im listening to music and i just enjoy the imagination behind it. If you're looking for a excellent musicianship, with much less shredding, though he does put in the occasional signature lick here and there, get this cd, i wasn't dissappointed, and i know you won't if you love guitar like i do.

This is Buckethead's very restrained, classy take on fusion. He delivers incredible tone, and some very passionate, soulful, creative riffs. Some of the songs will just break your heart. It showcases his versatility and his inimitible style and phrasings which have largely been ignored due to his virtuosic technique. It is a departure from his previous works to be sure, but I think it is his best, most listenable recording. He shoots from the hip and plays from the soul.

This CD is not one of Buckethead's typical releases (not to say that his other albums aren't good, because they are). I would describe this CD as an intricate work of art transcribed into audible sound. It's incredible to say the least. One of the most distinctive aspects of this album is the tone he utilizes at different points throughout it. It's difficult to describe...almost as if it's electronic. You'd swear that some of the stuff being played is coming from a keyboard simply by the way it sounds so smooth, but in reality it's coming from Buck's guitar amp. However, the keyboard tracks actually do compliment the guitar tracks a great amount, without them the album wouldn't be complete.

I really wish Buckethead's work (especially this album) got a little more exposure than it actually does. It's almost a sin that it is so hidden and unheard of, but I'm not going to waste your time by telling you how incredibly talented Buckethead is with a guitar in his hands, but I will say that the music he has put on this CD has more emotion and feeling than anything else he has ever put out in his career, and that's saying ALOT. If you really concentrate on the music as you listen to it, you begin to realize just how much work went into making it sound so elaborate. And if you do buy this CD, listen to it at least once all the way through with no distractions. It will mesmorize you.

I would say that the overall feel of the album is kinda jazz-like but with a Buckethead spin on it; although, that doesn't really describe it well enough...listen to the clips and hear for yourself. I HIGHLY recommend this CD, even if you don't like ANYthing Buckethead has ever made before because this is SO much different than his previous records, honestly. This is a gift that true music lovers will adore. If you are a fan of brilliant musicianship and enjoy listening to a truly unique/ingenious artist, you will not be dissapointed. I promise.

This was the first album I ever bought from Buckethead. This is a great album to start off with if one is confused about where to begin (he has a very large discography). Another thing to consider when beginning with Buckethead's work, is some of his albums are more in your face and may be too much for some. Before listening to this album, I thought he was just another shredder that played with no soul. Man was I wrong! This album proves that Buckethead is multifaceted, and that his playing conveys many emotions.(I personally like his mellower side the most.) He also plays with a TON of soul! Many of the tracks on this one are good if you have had a long day, and just want to relax. Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed!

Mentioned in the reviews above are this man's virtuosity and the "bucket" he wears. In my 45 years on Earth, I can fairly say that 10% of humanity gets it and the rest don't, simple as that. My six year old son and three year old daughter love Buckethead and dance to his music every morning while I get ready for work. His songs are the soundtrack for our days because as was also mentioned above, he is one of the few players I have ever heard (like Hendrix) who express feelings through their instrument. Listening to Buckethead is like going through a kaleidoscope of emotions and listening to several tunes can be draining. If people laugh at Buckethead then they totally miss the point of music in its entirety and are likely fans of the Foo Fighters. There's no one alive quite like Buckethead and Pat Metheny is a huge fan - proof in the pudding of this guy's pure genius! Whatever your taste in music, you can go through his entire catalogue and enrich yourself with visions of grandeur or visions of hell. You will also learn something about yourself along the way, as well as how to become more technically proficient on your instrument.