Buckethead Pike Album Review

A Review of Pike 242 'Hamden's Hollow' by Buckethead, released December 12th 2016

Good evening everybody, today we're back for another trip to Bucketheadland to take a look at Pike 242 'Hamden's Hollow'. So, let's begin. Woo!!

Released December 12th 2016, Pike 242 was the 3rd of 4 Pike albums released that month recorded after the completion of Buckethead's 6 month North American tour. With the cover art seeing a return for longtime collaborator Frankenseuss.

The 11 track album kicks off with the 2 minute 'Section 1'. Super shred licks intertwined with heavy riffage. There's no doubt about the fantastic skill on display, but at just 2 minutes in length, it's in and out without really setting the world on fire like we know Buckethead can do.

Section 2 is far more engaging than the previous track leading with more heavy riffage and feels far more structured and thought out, ending with more crazy shred nubbing. job done.

Section 3 has an excellent groove early on complimented by its drums, there's some glorious sweeping around the 1 minute mark and more enjoyable rock riffage later on. Buckethead's in the zone.

Section 4 is the albums shortest track at just under 2 minutes and its all controlled chaos with Buckethead seemingly shredding on a semi-acoustic for sections of the song. And there's more excellent but brief sweeping. Again, in and out.

Section 5 is the most ferocious track yet with Buckethead delivering his fastest shred licks so far. Whilst Buckethead shredding isn't for anyone, when its done right with a structured backing track, riffs and pacing, it works excellently like it does here.

Section 6 again has more excellent riffage and the shred licks are truly mindblowing. Again there's structure and the drums are excellent. This isn't just shred for the sake of shred. This is shred done right.

Section 7 leads with heavy funk orientated riffage and of course, the shred continues. The pacing is excellent and locks you in the entire time. Like the previous 2 tracks this is an album standout. Shred on.

Section 8 again delivers more of the same, and that isn't a bad thing. It's another solid riff vs shred trade off and delivers. It's not as strong as the previous 3 tracks but still enjoyable.

Section 9 doesn't quite connect as well as previous tracks early on but picks things up later in the track with a nice ending solo. 2 minutes, in and out. Not bad.

Section 10 is the albums longest track at 3.5 minutes It's not as heavy on its shred licks, instead leading with more outstanding heavy riffs. Another enjoyable track with great progression.

The album concludes with Section 11. And how else could this album possibly end but with crazy shred licks. Big B gets the shred out of his system and of course throws more excellent riffage in there too. Solid end.

Overall Pike 242 might be a quote on quote 'shred' album, which I'm personally not a huge fan of shred and on occasions can become tiresome but this is shred done right. In the right places at the right times, mixed in with some outstanding and heavily underrated riffs. The album does get off to an up down start but really kicks into gear from Section 5 onwards.
Even if you're not a fan of shred guitar I'd highly recommend this album as it might be the one Buckethead shred album that could change your mind.

After adding up the rating I gave for each track, It came to 62%, which I'd categorize as Good. And considering its an 11 track album, that is pretty good. You can find my individual song ratings and break down on our website natternet.com

So, what's your rating for Pike 242? 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 242 is 55. Then times it by 100.

Pike 242 'Hamdens Hollow' RATINGS (out of 5)
Section 1 ** ¼ (2.25)
Section 2 ***  (3)
Section 3 *** ¼  (3.25)
Section 4 **¾   (2.75)
Section 5 ***½   (3.5)
Section 6 ***½   (3.5)
Section 7 ***½   (3.5)
Section 8 ***  (3)
Section 9 **¾  (2.75)
Section 10 ***¼   (3.25)
Section 11 ***¼   (3.25)

Album Length 30:07

Total = 34 out of 55 (Album = 62%, Good)

1-20 % = Poor
20- 40 % = Below Average
40-60 % = Average
60-80 % = Good
80-100 % = Awesome!

Buy the album HERE