Buckethead Pike Reviews
A Review of Pike 37 – Hollowed Out, released November 12th 2013 by Buckethead
Good evening everybody, today we're back for another binge of Buckethead's pike album series, with Pike 37 'Hollowed Out'. So, Let's begin. Woo!!
Released November 12th 2013, 'Hollowed Out' was the 4th of 7 albums to be released that month. With the cover art depicting a Hollowed Out book with a key inside designed by Buckethead's (censored) P-Sticks.
The 8 track album kicks off with it's longest track, the 7.5 minute 'Low Rolling Hills'. A song that changes direction several different times, going from slow ballad to metal. It's a strong opener and enjoyable song, but one that felt as though it was building to a guitar solo that never arrived.
Track 2, the excellently titled 'Lobster Hands' immediately locks you in with a gloriously heavy riff and thunderous drums. At 2.5 minutes, its in and out, job done. Good stuff.
Just like the Track 2, Track 3 'One Foot in Front of the Other' locks on to an excellent riff at the outset, is an enjoyable track and really had the potential to be a top notch song. But like track 1 it definitely needed an end solo to elevate it that little bit more. That being said, so far its the albums best track.
Next up, Sideways Jaw Trap, whatever the hell that is. Another well composed solid track, good tone, great pacing. Keep it coming.
Track 5, the comically titled 'Mosquito on Stilts' is certainly no joke. With heavy riffage and again great pacing, its another enjoyable banger, consistent with the albums previous tracks.
Track 6 'Trading Post' is the albums 2nd longest track at just over 6 minutes and those 6 minutes fly-by. A thoroughly enjoyable track, the drums are particularly excellent and compliment the song to a tee, and the guitar tone is of course fantastic. For me its the albums best track and the one I'd go back to immediately once the albums was finished.
Track 7 'Cyborg Parking' is the albums shortest track at just under 1.5 minutes and is the albums weakest track based solely on its length. It could've easily gone longer with its excellent groove but ends before it can quite reach the heights of previous songs. That being said, it's still an enjoyable, short, listen.
The albums final track is the title song 'Hollowed Out'. Buckethead completely shifts the direction of the album with some vintage nylon string acoustic noodling, accompanied by a slow heavy drum beat. An excellent way to end the album, and along with Track 6 'Trading Post' it's easily the albums standout track.
Overall, Pike 37 is one of the better flowing Pike albums released up to that point. There's no bad tracks, and the production, drums and guitar tone are particularly excellent.
Pike 37 probably doesn't get enough love because it doesn't have any 5 star classics songs, but don't let that put you off, this is a solid album from start to finish. And definitely one of the more underappreciated Pike albums.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to a respectable 68%, 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 37?
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 37 is 40. Then times it by 100.
So is Buckethead's 'Hollowed Out' an underappreciated Pike? What do you think?
Pike 37 'Hollowed Out' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Low Rolling Hills ***¼ (3.25)
2. Lobster Hands ***½ (3.5)
3. One Foot in Front of the Other 3.5
4. Sideways Jaw Trap ***¼ (3.25)
5. Mosquito on Stilts *** (3)
6. Trading Post **** (4)
7. Cyborg Parking **3⁄4 (2.75)
8. Hollowed Out **** (4)
Album length: 32:09
Total = 27.25 out of 40 (Album = 68%, Good!)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!
🤘 Buy the album HERE 🤘