Buckethead – Coat of Charms
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| Artist / Band | Buckethead |
| Album | Coat of Charms |
| Year | 2013 |
| Track List | 01 Hall Of Aluminum 02 Coat Of Charms 03 Jettison Part 1 04 Jettison Part 2 05 Jettison Part 3 06 Jettison Part 4 07 Jettison Part 5 08 Jettison Part 6 |
Intro
If you want to dive into Buckethead’s catalogue, where do you start?
I had my first conscious encounter with buckethead’s guitar playing at a concert back in 1996 when he was touring with Bill Laswell. I was at that concert to experience a Bill Laswell concert. What I experienced was a display of unexpected pure genius guitar playing by this young, then 27 year old man with a bucket on his head. I remember that the wall of heavy guitar riffs being pumped into the concert place just took me by surprise. I was was perplexed, stunned and above all intrigued by the sheer easiness buckethead shredded his guitar to suddenly change the mood into melodic and beautiful sounds. From that day on I was sold and started diving into his music with eagerness.
In those days Buckethead had officially released 3 solo albums. While I am writing this, his solo catalogue (including the Pike Series) clocks at 323. So yes, the questions bears. Where does one start today with diving into Buckethead’s catalogue?
Coat Of Charms (Pike 40) is in my opinion a good album to get an introduction into what this artist has created so far and has enough elements as a hook into wanting more and dive deeper into his catalogue.
Melodies of beauty
This album takes you on a 30 minute journey through sounds, melodies and riffs that are beautifully constructed. “Hall of Aluminum” immediately throws you into a melodic playing field where the rhythm section offers some playful conceptional grips that seem to take control of the song. It is, however, the guitar melody that actually takes the reigns and controls perfectly the pitch.
When the first song finishes you don’t get the time to want for more of the same. “Coat of Charms” starts out with sincere, soft melodic sounds that makes you close your eyes. The groove supporting the melody gives the whole experience one of calmness and serenity. The music allows you to let yourself be taken away into a dream. Your mind floats on the sounds produced with feelings. The guitar parts are perfectly in balance with the atmosphere produced.
When the “Jettison Suite” starts we are nearly 14 minutes in the album. From the first notes it is clear that a shift in the music is happening. The notes played feel darker and once Part 1 is fully underway a heavy riff takes control and adds some punch to the experience while the melody still weaves a calm feeling throughout the whole composition.
Each part of the suite continues to build on the melodic beauty of the part before constructing a web of sounds that wants you to hear more with each minute passing. The vibes felt from the punches thrown at you when the heavy riffs kick in and when the melodic parts take over once again is a very satisfying musical experience.
Conclusion
Coat Of Charms can be played as background music and at the same time there is enough in the music to put a pair of decent headphones on and actually sit down and listen to each and every riff and melody, to each note and chord.
It is one of those rare instrumental albums that takes you on a voyage of serenity and has a peaceful vibe to it. The melodies and riffs are beautifully constructed in a way that the songs do not let go of you. They stick. When the album finishes it lets you crave more of its beauty and with that you will be tempted to push the repeat button to listen to album all over again and again.
Coat Of Charms is an excellent addition to any music collection and a great entry point into Buckethead’s vast catalogue.
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Peinsejoager 