Buck 65, world famous artist return from self-imposed exile in 2022 releasing new album King of Drums. By sheer chance or coincidence, it also in same year that Koko rebuild his world-famous music blog. Is 2022 the year of Buck 65? Is he the King of drums? Koko think “Fork Yes”. Please read on.
The King of Drum Breaks
There are specific periods in the evolution of Buck 65. As filthy rich, his lo-fi hip-hop beats and higher, nasally voice is popular with old-school fans. As Buck played more, his voice became more gruff and his music more polished but interesting. Always legendary, and worth a listen.
After his many years away, Buck reclaim former glory and coming back full circle. The old voice is back, the old beats and samples are back. But now with renewed enthusiasm from an artist in the biz for over 30 odd years. Buck born again, and he is kicking serious ass.
The king of drums is a who’s who of famous samples and the album allegedly has more samples than Paul Boutique. From the opening sample line to “get funky”, Buck takes you on a journey through 21 untitled songs. The album zigs and zags, and like Bucks best music, the listener needs to live with the album for a while. Play it in the background while doing things, or actively listen with headphones and really listen and focus on the new tunes.
The songs are varied but are consistent, compared to previous albums that changed styles and sounds more rapidly. The King of Drums grows and grows as a whole, maybe because there are no real song names, you just ingest the whole thing and go with the flow.
The Listening Experience
The King of Drums, like any music, should be listened to and appreciated using physical media. Streaming from your phone to a Bluetooth speaker sound good. Like Intercourse with condom feel good. But Koko believe you need physical media, real sound files and speakers to REALLY hear this album.
Koko download the wave file and load onto his PONO, which has an amazing DAC using Sennheiser headphones. This is amazing and you can hear every grainy sample and record pop, it truly is glorious.
Koko also bought the CD and plays that through his high-end stereo system. King of Drums must be played loud, and Koko was surprised with the bonus track. And it warned Koko to not write a review, and Koko grudgingly comply. And he listen to Grandmaster Bucks instructions for many months. But something happened that made Koko get pad and pencil to write review
The Vinyl Arrived…
Koko ordered the vinyl and CD, and he forgot about the vinyl and thought there was a delay in shipping. Koko even confused for a while, thought maybe he not even order vinyl. Living his busy life, after months Koko finally discovered vinyl album was at his mother’s house. Vinyl album sit there, unplayed and untouched. Remind Koko of his love life.
Koko excitedly take that vinyl home and give it a spin and the experience was unbelievable.
Rather than one long experience, with untitled songs merging into each other, the double vinyl has 4 distinct sides. All with beginnings and ends. The track-listing sounds more concise and organized. Not just endless flow of songs. Koko loves to focus on a side and repeat again and again. It really give a fresh take on the album. King of Drums really needs to be listened to on vinyl to truly appreciate the fidelity but also the mastery of Buck 65. Unfortunately, the vinyl isn’t available anymore. Luckily, Koko give you track breakdown below, and you can simulate the experience, but it won’t be the same, my friend.
King of Drums Vinyl Sides
The tracklist assumes that you are listening via Spotify or a streaming service. The CD version has an extra track at the start of the album.
- King of Drums Side A: Track 1-5
- King of Drums Side A: Track 6-10
- King of Drums Side A: Track 11-15
- King of Drums Side A: Track 16-21
Try those sides and replicate the vinyl experience. It be Juicy Junior.
What is Next for Buck 65
For years, while Buck 65 was in the wilderness, lost to the world. Koko would regularly google Buck, for any whiff of a comeback or new tracks online. Koko check and find nothing for years, and now, not only is Buck releasing new music, he has a Buck 65 substack and writes regular posts.
Koko has a copy of Buck 65’s books Wicked and Weird, which was an enjoyable book on the weirdness and sadness of Bucks life. It paint a picture of Buck that fit with his music and his lyrics, which are severely underrated. And Koko could write a blog post on that book alone.
Buck has an engaging writing style. He can tell a story, and he does that all day long on his Substack. Reading substack so good, Koko would PAY to read it. So you can keep up with Buck there. Some really great stories there, fill in the gaps on Bucks life while he gone. He also Baseball star. But man from Exile come back, make our lives better.
And Buck releasing new music, old music, all via his Buck 65 Bandcamp. Koko love Bandcamp, he support his favorite musicians, buy music and merch, and he can get high-definition files of music. Koko tired of Spotify and millions of songs. Koko simple man, need less songs, that are good. So follow Buck there and his new stuff is the business.
Final Thoughts
Koko big fan of Buck, he has signed merch, and a signed baseball. Koko even got a high-five from Buck at his last Melbourne show in 2014. So Koko like a pig in you know what, because Buck is back and releasing some serious, next-level music.
Album of 2022 – Damn Straight. Buck 65 – Take the trophy. It yours. Welcome back my friend.
XoXo – Kokomo
Read the King of Drums lyrics via the link. Amazing stuff from Buck 65 – the
“Mozart with the beat machine and a flow chart”
