Colma - Buckethead

The first time I'd ever heard of Buckethead was when his song Jordan was in Guitar Hero II, when the game first came out. I remember seeing him with a KFC bucket on top of his head and he was wearing a white emotionless mask. And behind him was two people dressed up as chickens. That was very odd to me but at the same time it was and awesome song. The song was a competition of who could get farther or who could beat the song on expert, and also what his real face looked like. I remember trying to do it, but eventually another Guitar Hero: Rock the 80's came out, which I got the day it came out, and so on. I was addicted to those games and because of that I barley play them anymore, with exception of family parties or hanging out. I have become interested in what Buckethead does because, like Frank Zappa, he uses Xenochrony.  Xenochrony is basically recycling old parts of songs for new songs and changing them. But he also has like 50+ albums he's been on in like 20 years. I respect that... a lot, even if some of it was with a Les Claypool side project. Now as I had said that I am not really qualified to review a Buckethead album because I don't really know much by him, I do though like the song Big Sur Moon so that is a good reason to listen to it. I already heard like up to that song on the album a little bit ago so I want to voice my opinion on it correctly this time around. So I will listen to it probably twice. Really fast I love the fact that he made this album softer for his mom because she has colon cancer at the time. I do want to say that I did give this a gap between finishing up the album.

1. Whitewash: The drum beat to this song is simple. I love the delay on the guitar and the feel of the bass or what ever backing atmosphere. This is a sweet song and its very laid back. I've heard some of Buckethead's stuff, not like a ton, but it is more aggressive and fast. This is a song that you can just relax to and sit back. This is a song I could see on Comcast Music Choice for smooth jazz kinda. I don't exactly how to back my self up with that but that's what I picture.
2. For Mom: I love this title to a song. This is another pretty song. Imagine how much it meant to his mom when she saw a song called For Mom. This is a song that defiantly makes me cry. The solo in the song is beautiful. And the drumbeat keeps it going. This almost reminds me of some type of classical piece. The acoustic guitar solos throughout this track make me want to cry when I pay attention to their beauty.
3. Ghost: This is another song I could see on the Comcast Music Choice for Smooth Jazz. It is pretty but the second time I heard this I'm still not a huge fan. I do though very much like the solo type thing that comes in at like 2 minutes into it. I hope that that solo can save this song for me. I do love the end of the song where it is chords and the solo fades out while the chords fade in.
4. Hills Of Eternity:This is another pretty song. The one thing about it though it that it is beginning to get a little repetitive. And by that I could see this all being one rehearsal for one song except there is different improve for the song, but not that different.
5. Big Sur Moon: This and For Mom are my two favorite tracks. I love this fricken song. It's only like 2 minutes long but it is one of the sickest songs I heard. I love the delay but not only that the background sounds that you hear with headphones. The way it moves back and forth between ears, left to right. It also sounds like a surf rock type of song. By far the best song.
6. Machete: I could know of see this being an Enigma song. Either that or some song that would be in a movie where it's like a spy. A movie where they are walking in a Casino and about to steal the money. Something like that. This song is pretty smooth.
7. Wishing Well: This song has this kind of country twang to it. I think that it's kind of pretty sounding. This solo kind of reminds me a little of Santana.
8. Lone Sal Bug: This is also a pretty sweet song. I don't really think there is much difference between any of the tracks. At least, it's hard to tell.
9. Santum: This song has a little more distortion to the guitar then some of the other tracks.
10. Wondering: This is a pretty song. It's not that different than anyother track, but yeah.
11. Watching the Boats with My Dad: This is a pretty neat song. I think it's fine. I don't think it's anything special sounding, but I still think it's Ok.
12. Ghost/Part 2: I didn't think much of this.
13. Colma: The atmosphere and sound of this song is one of something that would be like recorded in a church. It gives it this eerie feeling to it. It also has record crackles in the background to make it sound like an old school record.

Overall this album was ok. I'd give it a 5/10. I didn't like it as much as I wanted to but I did have a certain expectation. I hope that this grows on me but as of now I have to say its too repetitive for me. And I sat through 12 hours of 7 Skies 3H. The soloing to the songs are pretty but some of the repetition are just too much. I had to turn the album off twice. TWICE. I don't know, I just kind of think this is a dull album. Maybe with some more listens I'll like it more. But, realistically, I don't even think I'll remember this album. The one thing about this album thought it it obviously have memories for Buckethead and it seems all the tracks are named after some childhood memory. His mom must have loved this. This is a meaningful album, but not to me. I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT THAT HE DID THIS, but I'm just not a fan of the music on it.

Slim Shady Ep - Eminem

This is the the second non-self release that was rapper Eminem. Does that make any sense to you? Yeah I'll explain it better. This is the Ep released following his 1996 debut album Infinite. He did have some self released Eps, but this is his 2nd release that he did not self release. Well any way, this is where Shady came from. On Infinite he didn't have any of the Slim references on it, and it is actually completely different from all of his other albums, at least that I've heard. I have heard all of his solo albums from Infinite to Recovery. That's a Not Afraid reference.

1. Intro (Slim Shady): This sets the tone of the album. It has Eminem having a breakdown. He is arguing with his evil personality Slim Shady. This has the Slim voice super deep. I think that he had the voice of Slim Shady talking to him in a deep voice on one of the songs off 2009's Relapse.
2. Low Down, Dirty: This song kind of reminds me, since I've heard other music like this lately, Atmosphere. This song is really cool, and I think that this song is a good flow. This beat is solid and he does a good job on this song. This is, in my opinion, the true Marshall. This is him before he was Ken Kaniff or Evil or anything else. This was when he was Eminem. I don't think that this isn't an awesome song, I actually love it. This has a sad story. Listen to the lyrics on it, and it seems like you have sympathy for what this character when through. I love though that he uses imagery to "scare" you.
3. If I Had...: This song continues the idea of the horrorcore theme to the album. This has a good beat and a good flow. I love that this song is titled If I Had.... I think that's awesome he has like a list of things. It seems like this is from the heart of either him or the character he plays on the Ep.
4. Just Don't Give A Fuck: This song is also on 1999's Slim Shady LP. I think the Bill Cosby impression in the beginning of the song is pretty fun. This song has really cool words on it. This is really cool, and I think that it's awesome that I am not aware of any other white horrorcore artists. He kills this song, he mentions tons of stuff like Rage Against The Machine and has other raps that would be, from what I understand, free style.
5. Mommy: This is like an interlude on the album. It sounds like someone is hiding in bushes or something and they are just coming home. This is actually a really cool intro to the next song. This could also be Eminem having the body and loading it into a car. Then going inside his house to get his daughter.
6. Just The Two of Us: This song was re-titled and rerecorded as '97 Bonnie & Clyde. This song is really cool because it explain the story of the album cover on the Slim Shady LP. I like this version a little bit more. The reasons is because it isn't a "produced". And there is also the sound of crickets in the background. This song is kind of scary if you haven't heard anything like this before. This song is definitely more twisted than any Gravediggaz song that I've heard.
7. No One's Iller (Feat. Swifty, Bizarre & Fuzz): Swifty, Bizzare and Fuzz kill this song. They say part of the chorus in the song Murder, Murder, which is the next track This song kind of reminds me or a more Wu-Tang Clan on Enter the Wu-Tang. It sounds like they are taking turns on this song. Actually it kind of reminds me of Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' Ta F'Wit, like the way that they all take turns. But it also kind of reminds me of them trying to out rap each other. This sounds like it was really fun to do, and you can tell that Odd Future was influenced by music like this. Listen to the new songs Oldie off The OF Tape Vol. 2 that came out the past March. I did a review for that album in March, 2012.
8. Murder, Murder: This song is so fucking good. This is my favorite song on this Ep and probably one of my favorite Eminem songs that I have ever heard. I'm in no way exaggerating that statement. He samples Paul Simon's 1975 #1 Hit single 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. I love that song and he uses the best part of the song, the part where drums roll and the instrumentation of the versus on the song. This song also tells a pretty sad story, if you listen to the words. It talks about this guy having to rob Taco Bell, but instead leaves and tries to rob more money, and the story of how he is on the run from the cops. They used a siren sample and car screech on the song. They also have a record scratches on the song. But in the end he gets caught. I love the catchiness of the song, and also the story.
9. If I Had... [Radio Edit]: There isn't really that much going on. It's the exact same song and take as earlier on the Ep. The only difference is that they censor the swears.
10. Just Don't Give A F@!; [Radio Edit]: Same story on this one as on track 9. They cut sped up the part where he swears on the song.

Overall I have to give this a 9/10. I love this thing, and I think you might to. I love that this is the EP and think that enough people don't know about it. I think that this is 100 times better than anything after Marshall Mathers LP. I do like some songs after that, but not all of them. I think you should check this out. Oh yeah, his voice is a lot higher than on Marshall Mathers LP and a little deeper than on Infinite.

One Hour By The Concrete Lake - Pain Of Salvation

I found out about this band the same way I found out about Fates Warning. That's the band I reviewed yesterday. Theses guys are also a progressive metal band from Sweden. They formed in 1984, a year after Fates Warning. When I saw the album cover to this album I thought that it was pretty cool and good. As I said I would review FZ's St Patrick's Day boot today, I am also reviewing this. Since I am a little short on time and super busy today, have to finish recording by 10pm and leaving to go somewhere at 7pm. I can only listen to this once. So sorry if this isn't exactly what you want it to be.

1. Spirit Of The Land: This is the beginning of the album. It has a type of atmospheric 90's electronic feel. I don't really know how to explain my self with this. It doesn't sound like it's good quality keys or whatever. It does serve its purpose thought and this flows good.
2. Inside: That electronic sound is continued and a drum tap comes in and is sick. After the keys or what ever end a piano riff comes in and is awesome. Then the song sky rockets. It is a strong feel. This whole entire song reminds me of a Symphony X album. The singer ever kinda sounds like Russel. The singer doesn't reach that same "fuck you up" vocal of Allen. The backing vocals even sound like Symphony. I could see this having like a supergroup and being keys Michael Pinnella and maybe drums being Thomas Miller. None the less this song leaves me with a good impression and hopes of this continuation. The ending of this song has this type of part where the vocals have this back and forth that remind me of Serj from almost any System Of A Down song. {8.3/10}
3. The Big Machine: This song sounds like it would possibly be on Paradise Lost or The Divine Wings of Tragedy. This song has a guitar part that kind of reminds me of the part in Save Me where it has that cowboy guitar part. Not western but like "dahn dahn dahn, dahn dahn, dahn". Just listen to it you'll know. It's only during a certain part in the song though, like the middle. This song didn't really keep my attention that much. It was ok but still. 
4. New Years Eve: This song starts with a bass riff that reminds me of___. The vocals on this song are kind of sincere sounding. This is a kind of boring song, in the way that it sound like Symphony. I don't really think that this song is that mind blowing.
5. Handful of Nothing: The beginning of this song, the riff and the drums and guitar lead, remind more in a way, of the 1986 Master of Puppets album by Metallica. That is over as soon as the vocals come in. The instrumentation still kind of does, but the vocals take it ways. The pre-chorus still has that type of sound that reminds me of Metallica. Just not the vocals. I mean this isn't that similar, it just slightly reminds me of it. This is an exciting song, it just doesn't excite me. I think that some other people might really like this song a lot, but its too familiar for me.
6. Water: This song still reminds me of that classic Symphony-esque sound. There is a part in this song where it reminds me of when they talk in the middle of Frodo Don't Wear The Ring by the New Zeland comedy duo Flight of The Conchords.
7. Home: This song starts out very promising. And is exciting, it grabed my attention better than almost all the tracks thus far. Until the singing comes in. The instrumental break and solo on this are cool. I don't dig the solo as much as the backing instrumentation to the solo.
8. Black Hills: This is a heavy song. The electric acoustic guitar on this album kills it for me. You have no idea. I serisly am considering turning this off. The vocals are also kind of terrible on this song. I'm not kidding. This song isn't very good. And it is really boring, for me. It doesn't help that it's 6:35 either. There is a lame attempt at this middle eastern thing.... just let this be over. Please
9. Pilgrim: FUCK! This song starts out with that damn acoustic guitar that really hurts this album for me. I feel like he is trying to do a Mike Patton impersonation from I can't think of it right now but I know it's a song of 1995's King For A Day... Fool For A Lifetime.
10. Shore Serenity: Yeah no. This song is kind of boring. What's there more to say. I don't really think that I can go on and elaborate the boring ness of this song for myself.
11. Inside Out: At over 12 minutes this is the longest song on the album. This song isn't terrible. This song reminds me of a good Symphony song. This actually reminds me of the song Iconoclast's title track. The piano in this reminds me of the piano ballad soft part in The Oddesy's title track. I fucking love those two albums and songs. This has so far given me a good feeling. This almost lets me forget the acoustic guitar solo at this part that is going in one ear and out the other. This song is probably the best song on this album. Honestly this is good enought to carry the wieght of the rest of the album. I am really digging this song. I am still going to give it this score below, but it's a little higher than before because of this song. At the like 7 minute mark the guitar solos fade out and then an interly new song fades in, it has wind chimes and stuff and is I guess a hidden track and it is just 4 minutes of atmostpheric sounds. After that the last like minute a song fades in after the vocals come in. It sounds like a train and off the tracks and chaos. And is ended with over powering strings.

Overall I would have to give this album a 3.5/10. I could seriously see this having guest appearance by Michael Pinnella, but what ever. There weren't that amazing solos, if any in the songs. This album pretty much reminded me of a  boring version of a Symphony X album from the 90's. I don't know, it was good, you might like it more than I did, just like that Brain Salad Surgery. That album was good, it's just that I've heard that too much and it made me bored. I don't know, maybe this will also grow on me. There are also parts in this where it reminds me of Metallica's more, well.... better stuff. Their more classic stuff, so before Load. I do like thought how this could kind of relate to the theme or concept of the album. I do suggest this though it you like Symphony X sounding bands, and hey it might be something new, you never know till you try it. I am going to give these guys other albums a chance to and review them some time in the future. FYI hopefully I'll review all of the Fates Warning albums.

Van Halen III

This album is supposedly Van Halen's forgotten album. The album cover isn't that attractive, It was released in 1998, Sammy wasn't on it and they had that singer from Extreme on it. Now I'm not a Halen addict but I do like some of their stuff. Their first album is their best, then 1984 is also good. There are various other songs off various other albums that I like but beside that, that's pretty much it. So going looking at this I thought it was a joke... until I accidentally listened to A Year To The Day.

1. Neworld: This is an acoustic piece that is accompanied by a piano. It has this type of a country/classical feel to it. It is also I think a good way to start something new. #NewSinger should bring new style. And it's more chords than soloing.
2. Without You: The drums pick up right where the acoustic guitar in Neworld's harmonics end. This is powerful song. I think that this has more power behind it than A Different Kind of Truth. This song has backing vocals that sound like they are being drowned underwater. The verses guitar somewhat resembles something like the Red Hot Chili Peppers but good. Cuz Anthony Keidas sucks major cock. This song sounds like they are experimenting a little more and I applaud them for that. It isn't that extremely different but it has a different feel. The singer sounds like a medium between Sammy and David. It also sounds like there is more acoustic electric guitar on this album than the others.
3. One I Want: The beginning of the riff sounds something like Panama. The bass in this song is more funky and it is the drums are a little overshadowed by everything else. The backing vocals are also a little buried in the mix. This song is something that I could picture Dave singing on. This is still a cool song. Though I could picture Roth on this song, they changed it to fit the singer a little more. The guitar at parts sound like a sitar. There is also picture Sammy singing on this.
4. From Afar: The beginning fades in with Eddie playing arpeggios of chords. Then the riff comes in and sounds like something off 5150. The first album to feature Sammy Hagar as the singer, and the beginning of Van Hagar era. This song feels like it has this feel of bigness to it. There is the bass that at parts makes a pounding noise. The persuasion on this song sound like it is going to get bigger. The song doesn't really get that much bigger. But the false feel of that is a good one. The pre-solo in this song sounds chaotic, by that I mean that it sounds like he was hitting random notes and put them in different channels. There is also parts in the song where the vocals remind me of Alice Cooper.
5. Dirty Water Dog: The beginning of this song starts out with drums pounding along with what sounds like someone using sandpaper. I could picture this on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. I know that they did some weird stuff like that with Sammy but this has a different feel. The guitar in this song is just has this over all plucked sound to it where it is awesome. This also has a touch of Finished What You Started. 
6. Once: The beginning of this song starts with a piano and an acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar has this type of distortion to it that reminds me of Buckethead's 1998 album Colma (which will hopefully go up soon). This has much more of a lounge feel to it than any other Van Halen song. This song is really cool and also has this type of 90's pop music appeal to it. This reminds me of that music I used to hear when I was younger and 90's music was still popular during the 2000's. I was 2 and a half when this came out. This also has a type of a soul feeling to it, this somewhat reminds me of, dare I say, Titanic. I could see this being on the sound track. Another thing is that the guitar solo is in the mix on this song, not over powering everything and goes to the fade. This
7. Fire In The Hole: There is a outer space sounds that are in the beginning of the song and are then followed by a riff. There isn't much difference between this song and any other song on the album. Each song sounds different and you can tell, but this one just doesn't stand out like some of the others. The instrumentation at parts are really cool and sound driving, but that doesn't mean that it's that different. There is a part right after the solo in this song that sounds evil. It lasts like 5 seconds but it is pretty cool. I like how the singer is talking to the fade of the song.
8. Josephina: This sounds like, from the chords in the beginning, an 80's ballad. One problem with Van Halen was their songs had a distinctive sound to it. This song sounds like it is a different step for them. Parts in the guitar remind me of Misty Mountain Hop. I don't know why but it does. This song just has a totally different feel to it than other Van Halen songs. This song has a guitar solo that sounds like the beginning of Panama. The distortion of animal sounds and stuff. This song is pretty cool and just an interesting way to look at them in a different light. And yes there is sounds of a Carnival at the end of the song that last past the fade.
9. Year To The Day: Now I'm not very old, I'm 16 years old. I haven't been around a long time. But I've grown up listening to classic rock and I've gone wayward musically with suggestions and my own ideas. Now I'm not a perfect person and stuff, I don't really see what that has to do with anything. But I have not been hit with a Van Halen song this hard for a couple years. They have progressively lost their edge as I have grown older into my mid teen years. This song is the exception. This song is fucking the shit. The clean Spanish sounding guitar part in the beginning of the album reminds me of any classic Eddie solo song. The thing that's different about this song is that it can make me cry. The lyrics on this song are simple but they are actually good. This song is very pretty and builds, This is kind of like Stairway to Heaven, in the way that it builds, but it stays there and continues to drive on, until the end. The solo in this song is so different than any other Van Halen thing I've ever heard. It just feels so fresh. This IS! my favorite guitar solo I've heard Edward play. {12/10}
10. Primary: This song is like a new revamped alternate Eruption but for like a sitar or something. 
11. Ballot or Bullet: This song is different. I don't recall ever hearing a Van Halen song sound this way with this distortion. The vocals sound strained. The lyrics aren't amazing, but when are they when it comes to theres guys. This song sounds like it was influenced by Extreme but with a Van Halen twist on it. This song is ok. I don't exactly know how I feel about it. There is also a type of garage rock feel to the riff of the song. Kind of like The White Stripes, the guitar sounds pretty cool and he obviously uses a slide on this song.
12. How Many Say I: To date this is the only song that Eddie does lead on. How sick is that . Eddie's vocals are surprisingly warm feeling. Though he doesn't sound amazing he sounds like his voice is fit for the piano. The way they sing the chorus sounds very cool. This song is the furthest thing away from their traditional sound I've heard. There is really no question in the matter, it is a fact. This song is pretty and shows that Eddie isn't just a guitarist. It's a shame that he hasn't sung more than lead this once. The piano is accompanied by strings from a brief stint. There is a keyboard what I want to call movement that makes me cry. This is an awesome way to end a new start and say get the fuck ready for the next album with this new sound. I am legitimately shocked at this song. Never would I think that they would do this. Ever. {9.8/10)

Overall I give this a 9.8/10. I respect that this is the lonely Van Halen album in their discography and is overshadowed by all the factor that contribute to it. There are times where I feel like they are still trying to have both Sammy and Dave on the album. But they couldn't go that far off and not lose fans. This album defiantly is overlooked. The day when this is remembered as on of their best is the day I know the world will be smart. There are parts where the vocals and backing vocals are buried in the mix, along with the drums, ore the bass sometimes to, but never the guitar. This was a fun album and it feels like they just wanted to try something new. You can't hate on them for that, look at A Different Kind of Truth they went for that 70's feeling and couldn't pull it off. Also the songs on this album don't really leave this overall sound of any of the songs. I think that worked for this album, though they did experiment a little, they did it the best I can think. The only thing that they could improve on is maybe experiment a little more to show that you are using this new singer. I also like how they use fade on this album a lot more than any other album. If you want to listen to Van Halen in a different light that I suggest listening to this album, whether you want to or if it's just for fun. I didn't realize this till I was about to upload it, This was released March 17th, 1998. So I guess this is an early 14th anniversary review for this album. To wrap it up, all I know as a fact is that I'm gonna get this on CD.