PROPELLAR

PIKE 12 - PROPELLAR is the 2nd album released by BUCKETHEAD in 2013. Like the earlier PIKEs, this one had two releases. The first was digitally with the normal PIKE artwork and the second was as a CD-R with hand drawn artwork by BH himself. This is yet another all instrumental release where BH performs the entirety of sounds on board and has SIX tracks that clock in at 30:17

"Propellar" (6:17) starts out with a mellow clean guitar riff but becomes a thrashy metal riff and picks up on the energy level. It abruptly changes into an echoey guitar chord sequence with heavy drumming. It then changes into a folky acoustic guitar sequence with a mellow guitar lead for a short while and then a heavy metal sequence again with a solo. The gist of the track is that it keeps changing things up and these sequences alternate frequently whilst keeping the overall melodic development in tact

"Room Of Shells" (2:04) is a funky Hendrix-esque type of track that starts out fast and then slows down sounding like a Hendrix ballad. Actually sounds like Hendrix archival material as it's more authentic than his usual inspired take on the master's works.

"Meeting Of The Mummy" (3:35) continues the Hendrix sound with a "Hey Joe" type of riff. Mellow clean guitar chord melody with lead guitar providing a nice extra layer

Yes, it's time for??. "The Poultry Show" (4:18) which begins with a heavily echoed and distorted alternative metal riff and then becomes joined in by bass and drums. Nice rhythmic developments of the common melodic theme. Basically a dirty ballsy bluesy metallic rocker

"Launched" (11:50) is a third of the album and starts of with a strange funky vibe with weirdly distorted guitars with lead slides. Rather avant-garde but clearly funk / blues / metal. When all those elements drop out though and the main focus is on the weird little lick that accompanies them, it is very weird actually. The tone of the guitars is unique. I'm loving this one. It's totally accessible and unorthodox at the same time. Since it's so long it has a way of using the guitar riff as the percussive rhythmic flow and experimenting off of that with build ups and layering techniques that build up the intensity. This is a way cool track and my favorite on the album

"Dome" (2:13) changes it up in a 180. This is a heavenly trance type of track that sounds like a meditation retreat mind clearing chakra cleansing escapist's dream come true. Percussionless but rhythmically regular. Ambient in a tribal spiritual manner. Acoustically challenged but only so much. Decent

This is another decent but not outstanding release from BUCKETHEAD. While the last third of the album is outstanding, the beginning parts are only decent. They rely too much on Hendrix worship and although some of the best Hendrix worship there is to be had is still Hendrix worship.