siLLy puPPy
Seventh installment of BUCKETHEAD’s PIKE series in the year 2020
Consists of six tracks that clock in at 28:28
PIKE 282 - TOYS R US TANTRUMS follows PIKE 281 but PIKE 280 is still missing
Like all PIKEs, all instrumental with everything played by chicken dude
The title track begins with a metal swagger and a nice off-kilter riff that really kinda sounds like a tantrum in a toy store! There are some nice changes in this one. No it’s not one of those genre skipping types of tracks, just nice dynamics, tempos and other subtle changes that make it fun.
“Gramercy Park” continues the same metal riffing with the same tones and timbres but also has one of those sweeping backdrop atmospheres. The track engages in a robust rhythm section with a nice secondary guitar part providing sustaining note sweeps.
“Statue For Bootsy” which refers to the legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins and pretty much continues the established sound. I was hoping for something more funky and in the vein of Funkadelic or Parliament but it’s just a generic riffing session and doesn’t bring Bootsy to mind at all. Rather long and tedious.
“The Kids That Rain Lightning” once again follows suit with a similar mid-tempo alt metal approach with crunchy distorted guitar riffs and a wailing guitar atmospheric generator along with a subtle synth sweep in the background. Everything’s starting to sound the same at this point. Ready to dose off.
“Plaid” is the mellowest track on board with a slow dreamy intro. Arpeggiated guitars and no percussive accompaniment. The final straw for checking out of a rather undynamic PIKE experience. Not sure why BH fans love to hear these recycled riffs ad nauseam. At least it’s short.
“Redeem Team Live” comes originally from the “Albino Slug” album from 2008. This was a great era for BUCKETHEAD before he started releasing gazillions of generic music that only differed slightly. Unfortunately “Albino Slug” isn’t my favorite album. In fact this PIKE is sort of a recycled version of that album and about as mediocre.
Just my opinion but this one is fairly boring. One of those quantity over quality PIKEs.