SIDEWAY STREETS

BUCKETHEAD's first release of 2015 is PIKE 102 - SIDEWAY STREETS. This is the beginning of a ridiculously prolific year after a ridiculously prolific 2014. Like almost all of these recent releases this one clocks in around the 30 minute mark (29:28). This digital only release contains three all instrumental tracks with BUCKETHEAD playing all of the instruments. This is basically a hard rock album which pretty much sounds like a jam tribute to Jimi Hendrix. At least the first two tracks 'Sideway Streets' and 'Orbits.' In fact if i didn't know better i would even believe this was one of those posthumously released Hendrix albums because it sounds just like him only there is more funkiness here and there, but the guitar riffs, sliding effects and overall bluesy hard rock feel are right on the money. There are also other riffs that remind me of other 70s bluesy hard rock acts ranging from Robin Trower to ZZ Top, but mostly Hendrix comes to mind.

The third track is a slow rocker which sounds like a leftover from his 'Colma' album as it is a nice melodic slow tempo guitar riff with echo effects and nice and gentle feeling. This is so much like 'Colma' tracks that i wouldn't be surprised if a lot of these albums that are coming out every few days are nothing more than leftovers that BUCKETHEAD has decided he's gonna cash in on. That strategy worked for Zappa, so i'm sure a small number of dedicated fans are forking out some bucks for these things. This first album of 2015 is ok, but it is hardly the cream of the crop when it comes to BUCKETHEAD's releases. All is played well, but it's really not very exciting either. If you want to hear almost 24 minutes of bluesy hard rock jams with a mellow ending piece then this is for you. Personally i say, meh. Just makes me wanna go listen to the actual influences. 2.5 rounded down