Buckethead Ranked (2016) - Pikes 220-243
2016: Captain of the Slunk. Well since it's been about two years since my last Buckethead venture (the dreadfully intimidating year of 2015) I felt it about time to get back into the slunk and continue my usually better than expected foray into the Pikes. This year is really no different because I found myself enjoying these releases relatively easily so I would return to the majority of them that are here at any point, really. Is it his best year? Maybe not, but it was a great one for giving the listeners another extra dose of his sound that plays out with minimum effort. I think people fail to see that his music has this quality that is always "return-to-able" so my suggestion is to pick a year and go. Mileage will vary depending on your BH preferences. But without further ado, here's my personal ranking. |
| 1 |  | Buckethead
Attic Garden
Pike 238
I would just say, if you're into BH or if you're looking for a starting point to enjoy at a quick glance, just listen to one (or all) of the top 5 here. |
| 2 |  | Buckethead
The Five Blocks
Pike 237 |
| 3 |  | Buckethead
Buildor
Pike 224 |
| 4 |  | Buckethead
Sparks in the Dark
Pike 241 |
| 5 |  | Buckethead
Chart
Pike 240 |
| 6 |  | Buckethead
Drift
Pike 231
The title track is a typical great BH tune that is limited to 8 mins, and the last track 'Streamlet' bumps this up two places. |
| 7 |  | Buckethead
Mirror Realms
Pike 220 (first release of 2016)
Maybe a little high for some, but I was excited to get back into the BH- opener 'Blue Slide' seems to be a fan favorite, and I especially enjoyed Mirror Realms Pt. 1 and 3. |
| 8 |  | Buckethead
Florrmat
Pike 225
Kinda got some bangers throughout, my highlights being Pt.s 1, 2, 5, 6 |
| 9 |  | Buckethead
Cove Cloud
Pike 221
Enjoyed this, especially the second half 'Cloud' |
| 10 |  | Buckethead
Rooftop
Pike 230
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| 11 |  | Buckethead
The Mermaid Stairwell
Pike 239
I mean, I consider the opening title track to be phenomenal, and then 'Fairy Boat' is exquisitely fantastic in my eyes. |
| 12 |  | Buckethead
Hamdens Hollow
Pike 242
Can be/appear tedious, but it's one of the few albums this time around where you get the full 'zany' bucket all the way as he takes you through 11 sections of track for one of his more rollicking designs of rides in his park collection. |
| 13 |  | Buckethead
22222222
Pike 233
Only really liked 22222222 here |
| 14 |  | Buckethead
Lightboard
Pike 232
Fair I would say. |
| 15 |  | Buckethead
Coupon
Pike 234
not big on this as much as it seems to be considered a fan favorite of the pikes, but it still is good easy BH listening (non-interfering). 'Nail on the Clock' has BH going off but in a very experimental ambient BH way. |
| 16 |  | Buckethead
Castle on Slunk Hill
Pike 236
This one is just sort of fun and it's always good and weird when the Slunk finally comes out. |
| 17 |  | Buckethead
Arcade of the Deserted
Pike 227
Loved the opening t/t plus 'Swung Vault' is a good meandering BH tune. |
| 18 |  | Buckethead
Happy Birthday MJ 23
Pike 226
On second glance, this might be a little low. The t/t isn't tooo overbearing just not as much my go-to, but 'Yellow Brick Snail' feels like an all-timer, and 'Rib Cage Wreath' does close it out rather well. |
| 19 |  | Buckethead
Out of the Attic
Pike 222
Not much enjoyable for me here, except for what I did like. 'Dank Dungeon ' is a grimey metal sludgey piece that harkens back to his darker material and I rather enjoyed 'Nowhere in Particular' and 'Perilous Garden' too. Also shoutout to the opening romper 'Chew Chew Train' |
| 20 |  | Buckethead
Oneiric Pool
Pike 235
Kinda like good and solid and certainly listenable and enjoyable but nothing really stands out one way or the other. When it comes to BH that's not really bad or good- it just is one way or the other. Fair basically. |
| 21 |  | Buckethead
Santa's Toy Workshop
Pike 243 (last stop- i.e. release of 2016)
Some of his most awesome track titles, but the music this time seemed very middling. |
| 22 |  | Buckethead
The Creaking Stairs
Pike 228
A little (too) mellow rocker |
| 23 |  | Buckethead
Cabs
Pike 229
(last track Under the Arctic is cool and BH worthy and essentially saves it from a 2.5) |
| 24 |  | Buckethead
Dragging the Fence
Pike 223
There's always a dud or two (or three or four) somewhere, it was this one for me. |
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