Secret House Against The World
by Buck 65
  • Record Label: Warner
  • Release Date: Aug 1, 2005
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The Wire
    90
    Buck's refusal to recognise musical boundaries and his instinctive ability to pick out elements that work together--sometimes surprisingly so--have given us a genre-bending album of high artistic vision, spit and grit. [#258, p.52]
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  2. Playlouder
    90
    It's highly unlikely that Buck 65 is ever going to become the cash cow that his paymasters probably thought he was going to be, but let's hope that he is invited to keep on presenting us with his skewed worldview; a beautiful painting seen in a shattered and blood stained mirror.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Secret House's obvious appeal lies entirely with its musical, or rather compositional, diversity.
  5. Mojo
    80
    His gritty voice and folk-art lyricism ensure that these stylistic curveballs carry real emotional resonance. [Sep 2005, p.90]
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  6. cokemachineglow
    70
    Pick out the antihero tracks and one or two missteps and you have every Beck album (no typo) crammed into one disc with more wit and charm and weird science and heartache than that dude’s cumulative catalogue.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    Secret House Against The World is a fun-filled affair that only reinforces Buck 65's stature as one of "hip-hop's" more versatile "emcees."
  8. Pitchfork
    68
    Early Buck albums had all the professionalism of a late-night weed experiment, but Terfry is growin' up and it shows.
  9. The Guardian
    60
    His hoarse-throated vignettes of smalltown weirdos are beginning to suggest a sketch-show parody of Tom Waits; enough already with the disillusioned, motel-hopping loners.
  10. Q Magazine
    60
    In shifting from decks to band, he has also checked the imagination which marked him as an original. [Sep 2005, p.114]
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  11. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    It's fair to say you won't hear another album like this in 2005. Or probably until 3005. [30 Jul 2005, p.49]
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  12. Uncut
    40
    Buck's monotone and his lack of truly cutting statements make this a dour experience. [Sep 2005, p.100]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. AdamB
    Nov 22, 2005
    9
    Buck has never belonged solely in the "hip-hop" genre. His early work was merely an immature shadow of what he has become. There must always Buck has never belonged solely in the "hip-hop" genre. His early work was merely an immature shadow of what he has become. There must always be room for change without complaint, and Buck's newest album is artistically done, with interesting metaphors mixed with a hard edged, gritty voice. The fact that he actually sings on 'Devil's Eyes' astounded me. Buy this album.… Full Review »
  2. Steve
    Nov 4, 2005
    3
    This album is lacking. What happened? The man could fashion words together in ways that boggle the mind. This album is country trip-hop. This album is lacking. What happened? The man could fashion words together in ways that boggle the mind. This album is country trip-hop. There are sounds create the eqivalent of bad punk, and rips of Cash. I still dig some of the beats, the minor, and live recordings... even when they are loops. The album also includes a female vocalist that was well, she could go back to what she was doing and decay. "Hip-Hop ruined my life"? nawww, you ain't hip-hop no more. Maybe if i OD on drugs i could understand it better, until i enter that state save your money. out… Full Review »
  3. MikeC
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    Awesome!! Go Canada
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