Buckethead Pike Reviews
A Review of Pike 209 – 'Rooms of Illusions' by Buckethead, released November 5th 2015
Good evening everybody, today we're back with another deep dive into guitar hero Buckethead's Pike album series, with Pike 209 'Rooms of Illusions'. So, let's begin. Woo!!
Released Bonfire Night November 5th 2015, Pike 209 was the 3rd of 8 albums released that month alone, being one of the 118 Pike albums released that year. Glorious.
The album kicks off its 5 part suite with 'Rooms of Illusions Part 1'. At the outset Buckethead locks you in with some beautiful reverb delay chords, subtly backed by drums, a bongo style sounding instrument and ambient swells. Beautiful and eerie, a solid opener.
Rooms of Illusions Part 2 is the suites shortest track at just under 3 minutes continuing with more of the same. Excellent rhythm, great pacing with the previous drums, bongos and swells all working well, staying subtle in the background and adding to its overall ambience. Solid.
Part 3 continues the flow of the suite. Again the reverb and delay is terrific and dreamy throughout, and the pacing is totally on point, never once losing the suite or its momentum. Easily the best part of the suite so far. Stunning.
Rooms of Illusions Part 4 is next, seamlessly carrying on from Part 3 and taking it to new heights. At just under 7 minutes it's a fantastic composition that really takes its time to breath without slowing down the suites momentum. Haunting, dreamy, Perfection. For my money its the suites overall best track. 5 stars.
At just under 11 minutes, the album and suite conclude with Part 5. Backed by the excellent chord work and rhythm that's been prominent throughout, Buckethead's soloing takes over. It's completely understated and that's exactly what it needs to be. This isn't the place to be flash and he's well aware of it. An outstanding way to end an outstanding album.
Overall, Pike 209 'Rooms of Illusions' is Buckethead at his absolute finest. A true musicians album, it's easily one of the best Pikes Buckethead has ever released, especially when it comes to long compositions and rhythm, emotion and melody. A 29 minute suite that grows and grows and evolves with each track. Glorious.
And it's a Pike that would have somewhat of an unspoken sequel a few albums later.
After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to exactly 87%, which I'd categorize as 5 star Awesome. And although this is clearly meant as one suite. The rating would stay the same. 5 stars.
You can find my individual song ratings & breakdown on our website natternet.com
So, what's your rating for Pike 209?
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 209 is 25. Then times it by 100.
Pike 209 'Rooms of Illusions' RATINGS (out of 5)
1. Rooms of Illusions Part 1 ***¾ (3.75)
2. Rooms of Illusions Part 2 ***¾ (3.75)
3. Rooms of Illusions Part 3 ****½ (4.5)
4. Rooms of Illusions Part 4 ***** (5)
5. Rooms of Illusions Part 5 ****¾ (4.75)
Album length: 29:13
Total = 21.75 out of 25 (Album = 87%, Awesome!)
1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome
Buy the Album HERE
