Buckethead Pike Reviews
A review of Pike 12 'Propellar' by Buckethead released May 7th 2013)
Good evening everybody, today we're flying to Bucketheadland to visit Buckethead's 12th Pike album, Propellar. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Pike 12 was released in CD format on May 7th 2013 with no album or track names provided until over a year later when the album was released in digital format on July 21'st 2014. Better late than never.
And the title of the album 'Propellar' is seemingly spelled wrong, although there's been numerous misspellings of albums and tracks over the years in Bucketheadland that it might well be on purpose.
The album begins with it's title track 'Propellar'. The 2nd longest track on the album at just under 6.5 minutes, it starts off gloriously eerie, goes into some heavy drums and riffage, before trading nylon string acoustic noodling with heavy riffage, then ending with an outstanding guitar solo. So many things going on in this one and it all comes together gloriously!
Track 2 is the albums shortest track 'Room of Shells'. The track starts off with some funky wah riffs before slowing things down with some basic blues. Though enjoyable its far too short to really get into the track. But it's placement on the album works well.
Track 3 is the 3.5 minute 'Meeting of the Mummy'. An excellent slow blues track that has shades of the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan written all over it. Simple, understated, good stuff.
For Track 4 it's 'The Poultry Show', an excellent rocker, great soloing, fantastic tone and a great composition. The Poultry Show is a highly enjoyable song, the flow of this one is excellent and for me its the albums best track. Glorious!
Track 5 is the album longest song at just under 12 minutes 'Launched'. It has a great addictive riff at the 30 second mark that Buckethead plays variations of throughout the track. The song really kicks into gear around 3.5 minutes in with a nice foot stomping beat that continues for several minutes backed by simple pounding drums. Although long, in the right mood it's length works and is an enjoyable jam.
The album ends with its 2nd shortest track 'Dome'. A 2 minute creepy Death Cube K Style haunt. As a way to end the album it works perfectly and that for me is its intention. An outro piece to end a solid album.
Overall Pike 12 is one of the more diverse pikes out there covering everything from funk to blues to rock to ambient and more. Sometimes having so many different genres going on can take away from the album, but it definitely works here and makes it an overall enjoyable listen. There's no bad tracks and there's plenty on display to binge on.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track It came to a respectable 65%, which I'd categorize as Good. And you can find my individual song ratings and break down on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 12?
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 12 is 30. Then times it by 100.
Pike 12 'Propellar' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Propellar *** ¾ (3.75)
2. Rooms of Shells **½ (2.5)
3. Meeting of the Mummy ***½ (3.5)
4. The Poultry Show ****¼ (4.25)
5. Launched ***¼ (3.25)
6. Dome **¼ (2.25)
Album length: 30:18
Total = 19.5 out of 30 (Album = 65%, Good)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!