Review Summary: Thank you
As time goes on it is becoming increasingly obvious (if not so already) that Buckethead is practically ***ting out records. There's a new one out every couple days. The man literally lives in the studio. The days of well thought out, layered albums are clearly over; for the time being anyway. Despite these heavily rushed productions, the man proves his genius by still being able to pump out the gems. Pikes #15 is a heavy reminder that the Buckethead is holding up to MOST expectations.
Not since around 08 or 09 has Buckethead actually sat down and really concieved an album's sound, or complexity and whatnot, and even moer so than in the early 2000's when he might have actually gone a year without releasing something. There's no doubt at all the his material used to at least display more passion than now, but that's to be expected. The occasional "pike" will come along and it really won't be worth ***, but at least we can say that Pikes #15 is Buckethead getting it together.
When it comes to Buckethead, there's generally 3 categories to find his overall sound in: it's either heavy, mellow, or all of the above. This is for the most part one his more mellow productions, and the man knows how to put together some ballads let me tell you. Poor production, and the usual awkward material found at around the midpoint of every rapid-paced pike album that hits the shelf these days, are about the only factors holding this back from a really high rating. The musicianship on this album is obviously rushed, but if short, in-and-out guitar jams are your thing, then this album may be just for you.
Overall, this album does not dissapoint. Amidst the influx of pikes releases there are diamonds in the rough, or at least some rubies, or a topaz, but anywho, Pikes #15 is here, and it's not too shabby. If you could appreciate Pikes #13 or Colma and then throw in a couple chords in moments where Buckethead hits the coke cans than this album shouldn't come off as too much of a chore to listen to. It's the usual short, simple, but effective release. As good as it is though, i'm ready to see the man take a break, and hopefully start writing some material with a little more umph in it.
