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Monday, November 20, 2006
 

To get the week started off on a good note I would like to point out that Buck 65 is my hero for creating his Dirty Work EP and making it available for free download.  Buck has been uploading one song per week to his Myspace page for the last month or so and now that I have them all I think it might be the best free EP ever.  In fact as I listen to it now for the zillionth time I can't help but to wonder why more artists don't release material, outside of iTunes, that is catered to the online community.  I mean can anyone out there tell me a better way to attract new listeners, or at least appease those who are clamoring for new songs, then releasing a free EP that anyone can download?  I know these kinds of things take time and money to put together but I think it's worth it, when is the last time you heard anyone complain about a free set of songs?  In any case Buck 65 has been making some pretty great music since the early 90's and for whatever reason I only just found out about him this summer.  Why no one out there ever bothered to let me know about Buck 65's badass music is beyond me but it's a shame that I missed out for so long on what sounds like Beck and the words: smart, hip hop and versatile fell in a blender together.

:Buck 65 - Indestructible Sam:  I suppose if Buck's free EP needed a single this would be it.  The twangly guitar riff along with the danceable beat are pretty accessible and the lyrics are humorous and sing-a-long worthy.  I especially like the story in the song which deals with a hardworking, successful guy who people are always trying to eliminate but he always manages to stick around and then in the end he outlives them all.  I suppose in more ways than we will ever know the song means a lot to Buck who has been around for close to 20 years; I'm sure quite a few have tried to vanquish him but have come to find out that he is determined to die with a mike in his hand.

:Buck 65 - Heather Nights:  I love this song and one of the things that I really love about the entire EP is the spaghetti western vibe that it carries.  That vibe is especially obvious in this song with it's opening that feels reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra's cover of Bang Bang and the vocal style which make me imagine a man sitting on a porch while telling a story.  I recommend putting on a nice pair of headphones while you listen too this and at the chance of looking completely strange you should close your eyes for the entire duration of the song so that Buck can tell you his story without any distractions; trust me when I say it's worth it.

Visit Buck 65's website to download the entire Dirty Work EP or click here to listen too it on Myspace.  Also, Buck has a side project of sorts titled Dick Thornton and it is pretty nice so take a second to check it out here.

- John Laird -



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