siLLy puPPy PIKE 143 - BLANK BOT is the 42nd album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. Continuing the PIKE tradition this album is all instrumental and BUCKETHEAD plays every instrument. Also it clocks in close to the half hour mark at 29:49. Another eclectic release where every track is titled “QZ” plus a number ranging from 1 to 9.

This is another funky release with the funky bass line dominated the soundscape with lots of electronica serving as the decorative features. Unlike other funky albums by the chicken lover, this one is exclusively funk. It has funky guitars, funky bass and funky drums which seem to be dominantly drum machines. Although there are some strange electronic embellishments, it is primarily utilized to fit in with the funky vibe.

This is however strange funkiness. There are weird time sig changes here and there and and a deliberate dissonance occurring at times to just create a weirdness to the otherwise pretty much funk-by-the-numbers. Like all the albums i’ve heard so far that have the same title for all the tracks accompanied by a number, the tracks all run together seamlessly as in DJ style. There is a bit of metal here and there. There are grungy power chords, breakneck speedy shredding and progressive riffing but they play second fiddle to the dominating funk.

Overall, not bad but not great either. It’s always interesting to hear how BUCKETHEAD can tweak sounds and styles into his own making but very few have a staying power that makes me wanna listen to them again and again. While i find BLANK BOT interesting in the idea department, i don’t find it OMG great that warrants future visits. Interesting but ultimately mediocre. It actually sounds in a way like a very weirded-out 80s funk album with the drum machines and occasional metal riffage. Strange but not strange enough for me but still warrants a 3 star rating.