Buckethead Pike Reviews
A review of Pike 10 'The Silent Picture Book' by Buckethead, released September 20th 2012
Good evening everybody, today we're back with another deep dive into Buckethead's extensive album catalog, this time with Pike 10 'The Silent Picture Book'. So, let's get In there. Woo!!
Pike 10 'The Silent Picture Book' landed alongside Pikes 8 & 9 on the very same day, September 20th 2012, right as Buckethead was performing live in Spokane Washington on what was his longest ever tour.
Pike 10 is another one of the few pikes to be sold with its original cover and once again is provided by Buckethead's (censored) Psticks, with a rather cool photo of Buckethead's classic yellow raincoat donning the back cover.
The 9 track album had a run time of almost 30 minutes, which was the shortest Pike in the series up to that point.
'The Silent Picture book' kicks off with the thunderous 'Dweller by the Dark Stream'. A promising start to the album, heavy riffage, excellent drums that feel live. And at just under 3 minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome.
Next comes the excellent 'Blind Cyclops' .A track that was seemingly recorded during the same sessions as Pike 8 and 9. An Instant favourite, full of emotion. Highly enjoyable.
Track 3 'Flea Market' is a feel good summers day style chill song. It's not one of the more memorable tracks from the album, but it's another solid one.
Track 4 'Three Steps' mixes things up with some bass slapping and finger nubbing. And even though its one of those Buckethead oddball style songs, it flows well and keeps the album moving along nicely.
Track 5 'Beam of Omega' is another track in the vein of the previously mentioned 'Blind Cyclops', it's instantly enjoyable, driven along with a cool cyberpunk style backing track. It does feel as though it ends slightly too early, but is still one of the albums better tracks.
Track 6 'Whiribird' has a killer opening riff that immediately locks you in, followed by bass synth growls, an excellent solo and finishing off with more heavy riffage. 3 minutes, in and out, excellent song and instant fan favorite. It's one of the few Pike songs that Buckethead has actually played live and as a side note, is his most mislabeled song. But if the albums back cover say's it's Whiribird, then, that's what it is.
Next was track 7 'Ropelight'. Well, if 'Beam of Omega' left you wanting more, then 'Ropelight' delivers it. Packed full of emotion, the bends and feeling in this song take center stage. Buckethead playing at his finest in what seems to be recorded in one take. It's thoroughly enjoyable and easily one of the albums stand out tracks.
Track 8 'Flashes' is kinda of a weird one. It's just over one minute long and seems more like a bridge or transition from 'Ropelight' to the final track. I'm not sure the album needed it, but it allows you to take a few deep breaths ready for track 9.
And the final track is 'Melting Man Part 2'. A continuation of 'Melting Man' from Pike 7. Melting Man 2 is an outstanding climax to an outstanding album, with gorgeous fade in's and masterful handling of the guitar. A top notch 5 star song to end a top notch album.
Overall from start to finish Pike 10 'The Silent Picture Book' is one of Buckethead's strongest and more enjoyable Pike albums to date. Packed with multiple styles and approaches to songs. 'Whiribird' 'Ropelight' and 'Melting Man Part 2' are by far the albums stand outs. 8 of the 9 tracks are solid. And the sound quality and production are particularly excellent.
In the end after adding up my rating for each track, It came to exactly 76%, which Id categorize as 'Very Good'. However I've chosen to omit the 1 minute track 8 'Flashes' from the rating, giving it an overall score of 80.5% which I'd categorize as 5 star awesome. And that's why you should listen to 'The Silent Picture Book'.
So, what's your rating for Pike 10?
To work out what percentage you'd give the album, rate each song out of 5 stars, add up your total and divide it by the total score possible, which for Pike 10 is 40 (without track 8).Then times it by 100.
Pike 10 'The Silent Picture Book' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Dweller by the Dark Stream ***½ (3.5)
2. Blind Cyclops **** (4)
3. Flea Market *** (3)
4. Three Steps *** (3)
5. Beam of Omega **** (4)
6. Whiribird ****¾ (4.75)
7. Ropelight ***** (5)
8. Flashes ** (2)
9. Melting Man Part 2 ***** (5)
Album length: 29:50
Total = 34.25 out of 45 (Album = 76%, Good)
Total = 32.25 out of 40 (Album = 80.5%, Awesome!!) without track 8
🤘FIND OUT WHAT THE FANS VOTED HERE🤘
1-20 % = Poor
1- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!