Buckethead Pike Reviews
A Review of Pike 101 'In The Hollow Hills' by Buckethead released December 31st 2014
Good evening everybody, we're back for another glorious trip to Bucketheadland to take a look at Pike 101 'In the Hollow Hills'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Released almost 7 years ago today on New Years Eve 2014, Pike 101 was the 60th Pike release of 2014 dropping the same day as Pike 100 'The Mighty Microscope'. A glorious combo.
The 4 track album kicks off with it's title track, the almost 8 minute 'In the Hollow Hills'. A slow beat crawl, the ambient background swells add that extra feel and the guitar tone is excellent. It's not a wow song or one that hits that 4th or 5th gear, and may be too slow plodding for some people, but still, it's an enjoyable mellow opener and has some nice moments throughout.
Track 2 is the almost 13.5 minute 'Ghosts of Broken Eggs'. Has Buckethead got the blues? You damn right he does. Again, the guitar tone is fantastic and Buckethead is locked in and in the groove the entire time. An instant fan favourite, this is blues at its finest and a fantastic homage to many of the blues legends that have come before him. Does it go a bit too long? ah, maybe. But it's all good.
'Ghosts of Broken Eggs' is one of the few Pike songs that Buckethead has played live and is always one the highlights when he does. Great stuff.
Track 3 is the 1.5 minute 'Bumper Cars'. This has shades of the song 'Heiro' released a week prior on the excellent Pike 99 'Polar Trench' as well as the classic 'Revenge of the Double Man'. Considering how engaging the song is early on, it's definitely one of those tracks that should've been explored and elaborated on more, but with it ending after 90 seconds it just doesn't hit the mark like it had the potential to and doesn't quite fit the albums vibe.
The album concludes with the almost 6.5 minute 'Seas and Stars'. And what the 'Ghosts of Broken Eggs' is to blues, 'Seas and Stars' is to feeling and emotion. Backed once again by ambient swells and the occasional sounds of sweeping winds, this is subtle and beautiful. One of those songs that you didn't even know you needed but when it hits, it hits deep.
Overall, Pike 101 is an enjoyable album, focusing more on slow subtle brilliance rather than flashy guitar work. And whilst tracks 1 and 3 are enjoyable, it's track 2 and 4, 'Ghosts of Broken Eggs' and 'Seas and Stars' that really leave a lasting impression, that elevate the album and are two tracks you'll come back to many times. Both of those songs are a hit, and they hit deep.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to an impressive 71%, which I'd categorize as Very Good. You can find my individual song ratings and break down on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 101?
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 101 is 20. Then times it by 100.
Pike 101 'In The Hollow Hills' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. In the Hollow Hills ***¼ (3.25)
2. Ghosts of Broken Eggs ****¼ (4.25)
3. Bumper Cars **½ (2.5)
4. Seas and Stars ****¼ (4.25)
Album length: 29:03
Total = 14.25 out of 20 (Album = 71%, Very Good)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!
Buy the album HERE