Buckethead Pike Album Review
A review of Pike 28 'Feathers' by Buckethead, released October 4th 2013.
Good evening everybody, today we're back for another trip to Bucketheadland to take a look at Pike 28 'Feathers'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Released October 4th 2013, Pike 28 was the 1st of 4 Pike albums released that month, with the 7 track album kicking off with it's title track 'Feathers'.
Heavy riffage, glorious bass synth growls and the occasional shred thrown in. It's an enjoyable opener that's complimented by it's drum track and doesn't outstay its welcome.
Track 2 is the albums shortest track, the just over 2 minute 'Claw Station'. Another enjoyable heavy riff lead track, it does slightly lose its way toward the end with some acoustic noodling, but at 2 minutes, its in and out, not bad.
Track 3 'Mill' trades some excellent heavy riffage with laser beams and the occasional shred whilst complimented again by an excellent drum track. The pacing of this one is easily the best so far, never losing its momentum and is the best track so far. Good stuff.
Track 4 'Faded' immediately locks you in with an excellent metal riff and the bass synth growls, laser beams and popping noises are back. Like the previous track this is an easily accessible, thoroughly enjoyable song with fantastic pacing, another solid drum track and a sweet short solo to see out the song. And spoiler alert, it's the albums overall best track.
Track 5 'Cactus Spines' slows thing down with some dark Death Cube K-esque style acoustic noodling. And whilst there's quote-on-quote “not much going on” in this track, the songs placement really suits the album and allows us to take a short breather. So for that, it's job well done.
Track 6 is the 3.5 minute 'Lake Whisperer', this is a pure bass driven jam hitting a nice groove 1.5 minutes in. Like the previous track it's a nice change from the earlier heavier driven tracks and had this been an album full of similar tracks, it wouldn't land as well, but as it is, good stuff.
The album concludes with track 7 'Rooster Row' or 'Row'. And of course it had to end with shred madness, growls, laser beams and popping. Buckethead is clearly having fun making this track and just going off, and so are we. The madness of it won't be for everyone, but on this album, it works.
Overall Pike 28 is definitely one of Buckethead's sleeper Pikes. One that rarely gets a mention but is a pretty solid album from start to finish with a lot going on. Sure it doesn't have any 4 or 5 star classic songs but as a whole, as an album, it's an enjoyable ride helped along by some solid drums tracks.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to 63.5%, which I'd categorize as Good.
You can find my individual song ratings and break down on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 28? 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 28 is 35. Then times it by 100.
Pike 28 'Feathers' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Feathers ***¼ (3.25)
2. Claw Station *** (3)
3. Mill ***½ (3.5)
4. Faded ***3⁄4 (3.75)
5. Cactus Spines *** (3)
6. Lake Whisperer *** (3)
7. Rooster Row **3⁄4 (2.75)
Album Length 31:43
Total = 22.25 out of 35 (Album = 63.5%, Good)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!
buy the album HERE