CARNIVAL CUTOUTS

PIKE 152 - CARNIVAL CUTOUTS is the 51st album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2015. Once again we get an all instrumental album with all musical deliveries performed by BUCKETHEAD and clocks in near the half hour mark at 28:45. This one has three tracks.

The title track starts things out and is the longest at 13:28 and is another one of those metal jams with heavy riffing, bass and a cheesy drum machine. The main focus is on extended guitar solos that whiz by at breakneck speed as well as some cool volume control effects and we also get treated to some bizarre electronic noises at times. I kinda like this one except for the cheesy drums. Some of the solos and electronics are wild!

The second track "Water Balloon Filling Station" at 3:05 starts out as another boisterous rocker but quickly turns into a more electronically enchanted riff with effects. Compared to the other tracks this one is over quickly. Well played but pretty meh.

The third track "Lasso The Slug" at 12:12 begins with another metal riff accompanied by slightly off lead guitar lines. Another chugger for a while then some twangy echo guitar and then back to metal chugging. Sounds a lot like the first track without any of the interesting things going on. The drum machine is more irritating this time around and the riffs become quite monotonous and boring rather quickly. This track quickly wears out its welcome and leaves a bad impression overall.

I basically only like the first track which has some really cool moments but it is by no means so friggin wonderful that you need to seek this out immediately. Another dud of a PIKE that is saved only by some really unique parts early on.