Situation
by Buck 65
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    Timelag-wise, the 1957 concept is as if some '60s songpoet had conceived an album about Armistice Day, influenza, the Palmer raids and Mary Pickford. Only that would have been a milestone and this isn't, which you can blame on heightened aesthetic expectations rather than the potency of this Canadian rapper's literary mojo.
  2. Dot Music
    90
    Yet cartoon and divorced from reality as it is, his vision is so vivid that it never fails to seduce and fill you with the uneasy sense that maybe, just maybe, somewhere his disturbing dimension of bums and misfits really does exist.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    80
    It's consistently great stuff--this is among the best hip-hop albums of the year by my reckoning.
  5. NOW Magazine
    80
    Younger rap fans may be puzzled by Buck 65's throwback character sketches and references to Allen Ginsberg's Howl and Bettie Page, but those who yearn for a more literate approach will find lots to dig in Situation.
  6. Billboard
    80
    Buck keeps things relatively stripped down, embroidering vintage-sounding boom-bap beats with just enough detail to keep your ear engaged between his wordy verses, which he values far more than catchy choruses.
  7. Hartford Courant
    80
    Situation actually represents Terfry at his razor-sharp best; it's a disc that should appeal to any fan of good hip-hop, indie or otherwise.
  8. The New York Times
    80
    His voice scrapes against minor-key tracks full of moody keyboard lines as he raps about a pornography photographer in 'Shutter Buggin',' jazz and poetry in 'Beatific' and a vice-squad cop in 'Spread ’Em.'
  9. Blender
    70
    The sonics beneath Buck's deadpan rhymes are too often more subdued than the dense collages he started out in the late 90s, but jazz keyboards and conga poly-rhythms keep the backing from sinking into mere soundtrack. [Nov 2007, p.146]
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  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    Buck 65's percussive funk and gruff flow serve language that deserves no less.
  11. Alternative Press
    70
    The minimalist musical compositions on Situation force the listener to focus on Buck 65's idiosyncratic ingenuity. [Dec 2007, p.187]
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  12. Pitchfork
    63
    Favoring the easy gravity of images and ideas over well-crafted sounds and stories, Situation finally drowns in its nostalgia.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. LaceaC.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    Maturity, that's about it.
  2. CarlS.
    Dec 3, 2007
    10
    Yet again, Buck 65 makes an awesome album. He is utterly unique, so I could understand why some might not dig his sound. I, however, think he Yet again, Buck 65 makes an awesome album. He is utterly unique, so I could understand why some might not dig his sound. I, however, think he is one of the most talented artists rapping right now. I just can't get enough Buck 65. My favorite track right now is 1957. Clever.… Full Review »
  3. JohnG.
    Nov 9, 2007
    9
    Fantastic lyrics and beats. Old-school in it's rawness. Buck 65 is one of a kind.
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