The Pick of Destiny

{{Short description|2006 studio album by Tenacious D}} {{About|the Tenacious D album|the film|Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny{{!}}''Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny''}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = The Pick of Destiny | type = studio | longtype = / Soundtrack album | artist = Tenacious D | cover = TenaciousDInThePickOfDestinySoundtrack.jpg | alt = The Pick of Destiny cover | released = November 14, 2006 | recorded = March–July 2005 | venue = | studio = The Dell and 606 Studio | genre = {{hlist|Comedy rock|hard rock|heavy metal}} | length = 33:46 | label = Epic | producer = John King | prev_title = D Fun Pak | prev_year = 2002 | next_title = Rize of the Fenix | next_year = 2012 | misc = {{Singles | name = The Pick of Destiny | type = soundtrack | single1 = POD | single1date = October 24, 2006 }} }}

{{Music ratings |MC = 52/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-pick-of-destiny-ost|title=The Pick Of Destiny OST - Tenacious D|website=Metacritic|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev1 = AllMusic |rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r928202|pure_url=yes}}|title=The Pick of Destiny - Tenacious D|website=AllMusic|first=Stephen|last=Erlewine|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev2 = ''Blender'' |rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id%3D4308 |access-date=July 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013090038/http://blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4308 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |title=Tenacious D : The Pick of Destiny Review on Blender :: The Ultimate Guide to Music and More }}</ref> |rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' |rev3score = B+<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1557682,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107023024/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1557682,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2007|title=The Pick of Destiny - Tenacious D|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Simon|last=Vozick-Levinson|date=2006-11-13|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev4 = ''The Guardian'' |rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/nov/12/popandrock18|title=Tenacious D, The Pick of Destiny|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Craig|last=McLean|date=2006-11-12|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev5 = IGN |rev5score = 8.4/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/16/tenacious-d-the-pick-of-destiny|title= Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny|website=IGN|author=Spence D.|date=2006-11-16|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev6 = musicOMH |rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="musicomh">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/tenacious-d-the-pick-of-destiny|title=Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny|publisher=musicOMH|first=Sam|last=Shepherd|date=2006-11-13|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> |rev7 = ''Rolling Stone'' |rev7score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/12273733/review/12285351/the_pick_of_destiny|title=The Pick of Destiny : Tenacious D : Review|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=2006-11-01|access-date=2012-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002045141/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/12273733/review/12285351/the_pick_of_destiny|archive-date=2007-10-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> |rev8 = ''Slant Magazine'' |rev8score = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/tenacious-d-the-pick-of-destiny|title=Tenacious D: The Pick Of Destiny|magazine=Slant Magazine|first=Preston|last=Jones|date=2006-11-14|access-date=2012-09-08}}</ref> |rev9 = ''Spin'' |rev9score = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2006/12/tenacious-d-pick-destiny-epic/|title=Tenacious D, 'The Pick of Destiny' (Epic)|magazine=Spin|first=David|last=Marchese|date=2006-12-14|access-date=2012-09-08}}</ref> |rev10 = Sputnikmusic |rev10score = 4/5<ref name="sputnik">{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9942/Tenacious-D-Tenacious-D%3A-The-Pick-of-Destiny/|title=Tenacious D - The Pick of Destiny|website=Sputnikmusic|first=John|last=Cruz|date=2006-11-14|access-date=2012-04-06}}</ref> }}  '''''The Pick of Destiny''''' is the second studio album and the soundtrack for the feature film of the same name by American comedy rock band Tenacious D. The album was released on November 14, 2006, through Epic Records, and debuted at number 8 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-11-23-tenacious-D-side_x.htm?csp=34 | work=USA Today | title=The D is for 'Destiny' | first=Anthony | last=Breznican | date=2006-11-24 | access-date=2010-05-25}}</ref>

''The Pick of Destiny'' is the band's first studio release in five years, following up their self-titled debut album in 2001. The album was produced by the Dust Brothers' John King, and includes appearances by Meat Loaf, Ronnie James Dio, and Dave Grohl. Another album, ''More Rocktastic Music from the Film'', contains some small excerpts of the official score that the soundtrack excludes.

==Details== In the absence of original comedy skits, there are excerpts of dialogue from the soundtrack's accompanying film between numerous songs. Portions of ''The Pick of Destiny'' were recorded at Dave Grohl's studio.<ref>[http://www.fooarchive.com/gpb/mojointerview05.htm Dave Grohl: 'The Mojo Interview']</ref> A clean version of the album was recorded.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ethan | last=Smith | title=Can Jack Go Back? | date=2006-10-27 | newspaper=The Wall Street Journal | url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116191373176905571?mod=googlenews_wsj | access-date = 2008-04-04 }}</ref>

The album was released in three separate edits: the original version comprising the full film versions, a "clean edit" with re-recorded vocals replacing foul language with non-sense words, and a deluxe edition{{clarify|date=June 2017}}. All three versions contain clips from the movie, but some dialogue was re-recorded for the clean version. The special limited edition was released in a cardboard "old book case", which includes a digipack version of the album, a foldout poster depicting Black and Gass with bigfoot, eight tarot cards from the film (Tenacious D, The Training, Destiny, Masterpiece, The Quest, The Divide, and Two Kings, as well as a card explaining the other cards), and a plastic replica of ''The Pick of Destiny''. If the set was pre-ordered from the Tenacious D website, it also included a T-shirt.

In recent years the song “Kickapoo” has become the unofficial fight song of Kickapoo High School, located in Springfield Missouri. In the music video to the song it shows how they are referring to “Kickapoo” in Missouri, it is unknown if this is referring to the area that the high school is in because there is no town or township in Missouri with the name Kickapoo. This also could come from inspiration from Brad Pitt, Kickapoo High School Alumn and friend of Jack Black frontman of Tenacious D.

==Album art== The cover shows Black and Gass in the clouds, parodying Michelangelo's painting ''The Creation of Adam''. In between the two's hands is the Pick of Destiny, the movie's titular artifact, with the devil's arm pictured below them, sticking out from the clouds trying to take the pick.

Apart from the exemption of the parental advisory sticker, there is no difference in the artwork for the clean version of the album.

==Publicity== A short film entitled ''Time Fixers'' was used as a promotional tool on the iTunes website. The film starred Michael Keaton<ref name='Keaton'>{{cite news | first=Lucas | last=Ketchum | title=Tenacious D: "The Pick of Destiny" | date=2006-11-17 | url=http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2006/11/17/TheEdge/Tenacious.D.the.Pick.Of.Destiny-2467694.shtml | access-date=2008-02-09 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424115208/http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2006/11/17/TheEdge/Tenacious.D.the.Pick.Of.Destiny-2467694.shtml | archive-date=2008-04-24 }}</ref> and longtime collaborators JR Reed and Paul F. Tompkins. The first half of the film was available as a free download on iTunes while the second half could only be accessed after pre-ordering the album.<ref name='Preorder'>{{cite news | first=Jonathan | last=Cohen | title=Billboard Bits: Tenacious D, Gretchen Wilson, MerleFest | date=2006-10-19 | url =http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56905/billboard-bits-tenacious-d-gretchen-wilson-merlefest | access-date = 2008-02-09 }}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Jack Black and Kyle Gass, except where noted | title1 = Kickapoo | note1 = featuring Meat Loaf and Ronnie James Dio | writer1 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|Liam Lynch}} | length1 = 4:14 | title2 = Classico | writer2 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|Johann Sebastian Bach|Ludwig van Beethoven|Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart}} | length2 = 0:58 | title3 = Baby | writer3 = | length3 = 1:36 | title4 = Destiny | note4 = extract from movie | writer4 = | length4 = 0:37 | title5 = History | writer5 = | length5 = 1:42 | title6 = The Government Totally Sucks | note6 = featuring JR Reed | writer6 = | length6 = 1:34 | title7 = Master Exploder | writer7 = | length7 = 2:24 | title8 = The Divide | note8 = extract from movie | writer8 = | length8 = 0:22 | title9 = Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass) | note9 = featuring John C. Reilly | writer9 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|John King}} | length9 = 2:24 | title10 = Dude (I Totally Miss You) | writer10 = | length10 = 2:53 | title11 = Break In-City (Storm the Gate!) | writer11 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|King|Lynch}} | length11 = 1:22 | title12 = Car Chase City | note12 = featuring Paul F. Tompkins | writer12 = {{Black|Gass|King|John Konesky|John Spiker}} | length12 = 2:42 | title13 = Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown) | note13 = featuring Dave Grohl | writer13 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|Dave Grohl|Lynch}} | length13 = 5:35 | title14 = POD | writer14 = | length14 = 2:32 | title15 = The Metal | writer15 = {{hlist|Black|Gass|Konesky}} | length15 = 2:45 | total_length = 33:40 }}

{{Track listing | headline = Bonus tracks | title16 = Rock Your Socks | note16 = Acoustic version, iTunes pre-order bonus track | length16 = 3:07 | title17 = Training Medley | note17 = Digital Download available with Best Buy version, streaming bonus track, also available on "POD" single, and the Japanese version | length17 = 1:11 | title18 = Kong | note18 = Japanese bonus track, streaming bonus track, also available on "POD" 7" single | length18 = 3:21 | title19 = It's Late | note19 = Digital download bonus track available from the eight year re-issue vinyl MP3 download card | length19 = 1:34 | total_length = 43:20 }}

==Personnel== ;Tenacious D *Jack Black – lead vocals, acoustic guitar *Kyle Gass – backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, recorder on "Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass)"

;Additional musicians *Dave Grohl – drums, demon vocals on "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)" *John Konesky – electric guitar *Meat Loaf – guest vocals on "Kickapoo" *John C. Riley - guest vocals on "Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass)" *Ronnie James Dio – guest vocals on "Kickapoo" *John Spiker – bass guitar, backing vocals on "Car Chase City", clavinet on "Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass)" *Liam Lynch – additional guitar on "Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)" and "Break In-City (Storm the Gate!)" *John King – drum programming on "Papagenu (He's My Sassafrass)"

;Production *Produced by John King *Assistant engineers: Ed Cherney, Nick Raskulinecz, John Spiker, Brad Breeck *Recorded at The Dell and 606 Studio *Mixed by Ken Andrews *Mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering *Orchestral arrangements by Andrew Gross, recorded at Sony Scoring Stage, engineered by Casey Stone *Baritone saxophone and piano on "Kickapoo" recorded at Capitol Studios, engineered by Casey Stone *Management: Sam *A&R: Matt Marshall *Music executive: Bob Bowen *Photography: Michael Elins *Album packaging design by: Gregg Higgins/Michael Elins

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2006–07) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|Australia|35|artist=Tenacious D|album=The Pick Of Destiny|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|Austria|64|artist=Tenacious D|album=The Pick Of Destiny|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- !scope="row"|Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627062005/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2015|title=ALBUMS : Top 100|access-date= 16 March 2025 }}</ref> |align="center"|64 |- !scope="row"|Dutch Alternative Albums (MegaCharts)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Tenacious+D&titel=The+Pick+Of+Destiny&cat=a|title=Tenacious D - The Pick Of Destiny|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=March 19, 2016}}</ref> |align="center"|29 |- {{album chart|Germany|id=46237|47|artist=Tenacious D|album=The Pick Of Destiny|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- !scope="row"|Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120314142245/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Tenacious+D "Discography Tenacious D"]. Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien|accessdate=March 19, 2016</ref> |align="center"|9 |- {{album chart|Scotland|9|date=20061119|rowheader=true|access-date=July 19, 2025}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|44|artist=Tenacious D|album=The Pick Of Destiny|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|82|artist=Tenacious D|album=The Pick Of Destiny|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|UK2|10|artist=Tenacious D|date=20061119|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|2|date=2006-11-26|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- !scope="row"|UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/soundtrack-albums-chart/20061126/140/|title=Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=July 19, 2025}}</ref> |align="center"|2 |- {{album chart|Billboard200|8|artist=Tenacious D|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Tenacious D|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2016}} |- {{album chart|BillboardSoundtrack|2|artist=Tenacious D|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2020}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2006) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2006.pdf|title=2006 UK Albums Chart|publisher=ChartsPlus|access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|172 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2007) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums "Billboard 200 Albums : Year End 2007"]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved March 19, 2016.</ref> |align="center"|200 |- !scope="row"|US Soundtrack Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-soundtracks-albums|title=Soundtracks – Year-End 2007|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 3, 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|12 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|title=The Pick of Destiny|artist=Tenacious D|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2015|access-date=January 28, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=The Pick of Destiny|artist=Tenacious D|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=January 28, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=The Pick of Destiny - Ost|artist=Tenacious D|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2026|access-date=January 5, 2026|id=10049-25-2}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==''More Rocktastic Music from the Film''==

{{Infobox album | name = More Rocktastic Music from the Film | type = film | artist = John King, Andrew Gross and Trainwreck | cover = More Rocktastic Music from the Film.jpg | alt = | released = February 27, 2007 | recorded = Sony Scoring Stage | studio = | genre = Soundtrack, classical, comedy rock, folk rock, acoustic rock | length = 15:36 | label = New Line | producer = John King and Andrew Gross | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} '''''More Rocktastic Music from the Film''''' is a score album by Andrew Gross and John King for the movie ''Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny''. It was exclusive to Wal-Mart stores, coming shrink-wrapped with the DVD. The score consists of six orchestral songs written specifically to accompany the film, and two songs by Kyle Gass' band Trainwreck.

===Track listing=== All songs were written by Andrew Gross and John King, except where noted.

# "The Birth of the D" – 1:26 # "Compared to the Greats" – 0:43 # "The Stranger Suite" – 1:44 # "Guitarway to Heaven" – 0:51 # "Hall of Fame Sneak" – 2:15 # "Capturing the Pick" – 1:03 # "Caveman" – 3:53 (Trainwreck) # "I Wanna Know" – 3:41 (Trainwreck)

==References==

==External links== *{{Metacritic album}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pick Of Destiny, The}} Category:Tenacious D albums Category:Albums produced by John King (record producer) Category:Comedy film soundtracks Category:Comedy rock soundtracks Category:2006 soundtrack albums Category:Epic Records soundtracks