Buckethead Pike Album Reviews
A review of Pike 217 'Pike Doors' by Buckethead, released December 20th 2015.
Good evening everybody, today we're revisiting the Bucketheadland kiosk for Buckethead's 217th Pike album 'Pike Doors'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Released December 20th 2015 with one of the more memorable Pike covers out there, Pike 217 was the 3rd of 5 albums released that month, and the 116th pike album of that year alone. Crazy.
The 3 track album kicks off with the almost 18 minute 'Door One'. The first 3.5 minutes set the tone with a slow crawl melancholy vibe, before kicking in with some gorgeous lead guitar tone backed by some bongo style beats similar to the earlier pikes of 'Hornet' and 'Rooms of Illusions', all of which seemed highly likely to be recorded during the same sessions. Packed full of feeling, the guitar work is subtle, as it needs to be, and the 17.5 minutes fly by. Excellent.
Track 2 is 'Door Two', and whereas Door One was subtle brilliance, Door Two is in your face, masterful brilliance. There's plenty of glorious tapping sections, super shred licks that are played ridiculously clean and Buckethead is clearly having fun just ripping to the backing track. And although the backing track pretty much repeats itself for the entire song, which might not be for everyone, this is about Buckethead letting loose and going off, showing his ability to evolve a song despite it's backing track never changing. Top notch.
The album concludes with the almost 3 minute 'Door Three'. And what a fantastic finisher. Of the albums three songs, Door Three is the one I revisit the most. Whilst the previous two tracks are both outstanding, Door Three feels a more thought out composition rather than a jam or an extended rip. It's in and out, ticks all the boxes and a solid way to end the album.
Overall, Pike 217 is right up there for being one of Buckethead's best ever pike albums. Each track is excellently done, diverse in it's delivery, showcasing subtle brilliance, technical brilliance and composition. And whilst everyone will have their own favorite Door from the album, most Buckethead fans will agree, that Pike 217 is outstanding.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to a glorious 83%, which I'd categorize as 5 star Awesome . You can find my song ratings and breakdown on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 217? Be sure to let us know.
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 217 is 15. Then times it by 100.
Pike 217 'Pike Doors' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Door One **** (4)
2. Door Two ****¼ (4.25)
3. Door Three ****¼ (4.25)
Album length: 30:29
Total = 12.5 out of 15 (Album = 83%, Awesome!)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome
Buy the album HERE