BUCK STARBALL They Took Your Drugs Away (independent) Rating: NNNN
When he’s not smoking plastic wrap, local lo-fi electro freak Buck Starball is yelping drug-addled Isaac Brock-ish lyrics over artfully programmed beats and instantly catchy synth lines – producing what could aptly be labelled “modest house.”
From start to finish, They Took Your Drugs Away is a weird, hooky, often comical bedroom slam-dance party. While it’s tough to single out hits from the consistently strong tracklist, party-starters Space Station, Holiday and Dude Jackets are total fucking winners, no question.
Additionally, the dark Bum To The Drum sounds like Skinny Puppy covering Now I Wanna Be Your Dog, while closer Our Last Year builds to a deliciously optimistic synth line that you’ll catch yourself humming in the shower.
Buck Starball’s CD release goes down Friday (August 15) at the Smiling Buddha Bar.
