Buckethead Pike Reviews
A Review of Pike 76 'Caterpillar' by Buckethead released September 23rd 2014
Good evening everybody, today we're crawling right back into Buckethead's Pike album series, with Pike 76 'Caterpillar'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
The physical CD of Pike 76 was released September 23rd 2014, and was one of only a handful of Pikes that year that for some unknown reason took over a year and half to be released in digital format. Arriving in March 2016. Whereupon it dropped with alternate album covers. The Buckethead Pikes site cover, and the Buckethead bandcamp cover. Making it one of the few pikes in the series with alternate covers. And if that's not confusing enough, that same month Pike 227 dropped with the exact same cover. Oops.
The 8 track albums kicks off with track 1 'Reprint'. Some cool rock riffage that sets the tone nicely for the rest of the album. Even though it might not reach it's full potential it's an enjoyable opener.
At just over 6 minutes track 2 'Fountain' is the albums longest track and again leads with slow rock riffage.
The song picks up and finds its groove towards the latter part of the song and though more enjoyable than track 1, still doesn't quite reach its full potential.
Track 3 'Hot Wheels' continues where track 2 left off and because of the similar format of slow rock and plodding drums it might make you wish that it would've picked up the tempo by now. Again its enjoyable but lacks that foot stomping beat that its so close to having.
Track 4, the album titled 'Caterpillar' is next and is thankfully more uptempo. The drums on this one are far more complimentary and help the track, and the composition is far more enjoyable than the previous songs. Whereas the previous tracks could've done with a shorter run time this one could've easily longer, but ends at just over 3 minutes. Still, it's the best track so far.
Track 5 'Mr Toad's Wait Time' is next, which is more than likely named after the Disney ride, is the albums shortest track at just over 1 minute in length. Personally I find its length bizarre considering that the riffs played are as good as anything played on the first 3 tracks, but then ends before it ever gets going. Its not a transitional song or skit that Buckethead often throws onto albums, its just, bizarrely short.
Next up is track 6 'Ring', and similar to track 4 'Caterpillar' the drums and tempo make it a more enjoyable listen than earlier tracks, but unfortunately like the earlier tracks it doesn't quite reach its full potential. Still, behind 'Caterpillar' it's the album 2nd best song so far.
Track 7 'Dream Machine' comes next and immediately the opening riff hooks you in but unfortunately it doesn't stick with it for too long and before you know it, at just under 2 minutes the track ends abruptly. Like track 5 'Mr Toad's Wait Time' this one seemed to have far more potential than the first 3 tracks but ends way too soon before the song can ever find its footing.
The album ends with it's second longest track 'Skizzy's Hot Rod' and from the first few bars you'll breath a sigh of relief as this is the type of uptempo beat and riffage we've been hoping for since the beginning. Easily the albums best track, with an obvious AC/DC Angus Young influence. Glorious foot stomping rock. Finally.
Overall, Pike 76 was as an album that was full of potential but didn't quite reach it. Some guitar solo's certainly would've helped, but the album doesn't have any. And after a while It's slow plodding rock soon becomes much of a muchness. I can definitely see why some people will enjoy this one far more than I do, but with the exception of the final track, it didn't quite get me going enough or get my foot stomping like it was intended to do. Or like the final track did.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to 56%, which I'd categorize as Average, which feels about right for this one. You can find my individual song ratings and break down on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 76?
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 76 is 40 . Then times it by 100.
So does Buckethead's Caterpillar become a Butterfly? What do you think?
Pike 76 'Caterpillar' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Reprint *** (3)
2 Fountain *** (3)
3 Hot Wheels **¾ (2.75)
4 Caterpillar ***½ (3.5)
5 Mr. Toad's Wait Time *½ (1.5)
6 Ring ***¼ (3.25)
7 Dream Machine *¾ (1.75)
8 Skizzy's Hot Rod ***¾ (3.75)
Album length: 30:10
Total = 22.5 out of 40 (Album = 57%, Average)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!