siLLy puPPy PIKE 153 - WHISPER TRACK is the 52nd album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. Once again an all instrumental affair with BUCKETHEAD single-handedly playing all instruments. In accord with the majority of the PIKE series this one hovers around the half hour mark clocking in at 31:49 and has four tracks.

Track one, the title track at 8:04 is a boisterous crunchy metal rocker jam complete with metallic riffing and breakneck speed soloing. The drums actually sound more like real drums some of the time but there’s also the drum machine sound which isn’t my favorite. This one basically meanders down a heavy riffing path and allowing scorching soloing runs to pop up now and again. Lots face melters on this one. Not bad except when the drum machine parts are cheesy.

Track two “Hillsides” at 12:47 and starts out with an echoey guitar and drum machine then becomes another raucous metal rocker. Interesting volume modulations here and there. More solos. This one is very much like the first and even though it’s well played there isn’t a lot to distinguish it from track one so it’s kinda like enough already. This one just goes on and on and on.Try something new!

Track three “Such As Straw” at 7:36 and starts out less frenetically than the first two. Mid-tempo and softer guitar tones. This one isn’t quite metal. Same cheesy drum machine. Somewhat spacey guitar tones continue and lots of riffing. At times sounds like the track ends but then starts up again like it is being replayed. Strange. OK but not OMG so.

Track four “Overgrown Shrubs” at 3:22 is the shortest track and kinda just runs into the previous as it’s imperceptible where it begins so basically just a continuation of the jamming session with nothing really interesting to add.

This PIKE has some good moments but is pretty average.