siLLy puPPy BUCKETHEAD - PIKE 73 - THE FINAL BLEND OF THE LABYRINTH 32nd album out of 60 in 2014 and 102nd overall All sounds brought to you by Buckethead and all instrumental This one has only one long track that clocks in at 31:19 Tracks kinda run into each other and are basically extensions of each other

“FBOTL 1” (3:20) starts out slow and easy like the previous PIKE. However it picks up a bit more.

“FBOTL 2” (3:27) continues track 1 and then eventually picks up steam and becomes more upbeat with heavy grunge laden guitars and accompanying bass and drums. However the lead guitar is a bit relaxed at times and only picks up towards the end

“FBOTL 3” (2:45) changes imperceptibly and even has the same melodic development. In fact if you’re not paying attention it just sounds like an extension of the previous track.

“FBOTL 4” (3:45) continues the theme almost uninterrupted

“FBOTL 5” (3:44) continues on as well without any perceptible break between the last track. Nothing new, nothing exciting

“FBOTL 6” (13:30) continues the borefest. While this ratchets up the intensity incrementally throughout its bloated length, it does not create any long lasting impression of creative expression. It is simply one of those PIKEs that utilizes a never-ending loop of simple chord progressions with a lead guitar that offers slightly predictable melodic counterpoints. Basically an album-by-the-numbers approach to accessibility. OK but not great