siLLy puPPy

BUCKETHEAD - PIKE 43

2nd album out of 60 in 2014 and 73rd overall

All sounds brought to you by Buckethead and all instrumental

This one has 6 tracks that clock in at 33:07

All tracks are untitled just like the album

This is one of those hand made albums that never got repackaged and retitled

First track (4:16) begins mellow with clean guitar and extra soft percussion. It remains that way. Yawn

Second track (7:33) also begins mellow with clean guitar and soft percussion. It is a bit more interesting in the melody department but sounds pretty much the same. The drums do pick up a bit more than the first track but only slightly. It turns into an echoey guitar run which and the drum and bass project it into mid-tempo range. Much better. This one is OK for the mellow side of BUCKETHEAD. All the echoes and clean mellow elements seem to work out on this one. It does rock out at the end with a guitar solo and distorted rhythmic guitar

Third track (8:14) starts out with clean guitar but is more of an acoustic classical guitar intro and then reverts back into a recognizable BH pattern of a recurring riff although the percussive drive on this one is fairly interesting as it has a certain flare to it unlike others of its ilk. Unfortunately it goes on too long and loses its luster but i do like the sleigh bells chiming along :P

Fourth track (1:13) is, surprise!, another mellow clean guitar track although the drums are a bit more energetic than they should be for this mellowness. This is a throwaway track as it adds absolutely nothing to the album experience

Fifth track (10:31) and this longest on the album behemoth begins even slower and even mellower with the usual clean guitar, bass and snail’s paced percussion. This could definitely qualify as slowcore. It’s not as bad as most of these types on his other albums. It has a nice melancholy and the slowness is observed by all individual aspects. It has a soft wah-wah guitar effect and evokes a sadness that just aches to infinity. I usually hate these soft and tender BH ballady types of tracks but this one actually balances out all of the proper ingredients to create a haunting and chilling effect. It does extend a bit too long but it has a staticky kind of background while the slowcore presentation unfurls into infinity

Sixth track (1:20) ends the PIKE with an echoey clean guitar run, bass and drums in mid-tempo. It’s a nice little number that is neither OMG brilliant nor offensive. It slightly picks up steam and subtly grows and grows faster.

While i usually hate these totally mellow PIKES, this one is not bad. It captures me in the melody department which is the key for these unenergetic releases that don’t have much else to offer. All of the elements are balanced for the most part making this a decent but not outstanding listen. I was quite surprised that i found this interesting to be honest :P