HOLLOWED OUT

PIKE 37- HOLLOWED OUT is the 26th album released in the PIKE series by BUCKETHEAD in 2013 and the 66th overall solo studio album. This is yet another eclectic instrumental album that BH graces us with his instrumental prowess and production handled by Dan Monti and Albert once again. This PIKE has EIGHT tracks that are clearly separated from each other

"Low Rolling Hills" (7:30) starts out with jangly guitar riffs and has a mid-tempo. The guitars are clean with a slight edge but when the timing picks up a bit become more grungy. After 3 minutes it picks up and becomes an alternative metal riff monster. It mixes up the riffage for the next several minutes including some folky bits as well as some Van Halen type of riffs in addition to alt grunge. I like the way this one changes it up and keeping it interesting

"Lobster Hands" (2:41) begins with a fast and furious metal guitar riff and then the bass and drums kick in. It then turns into another riff. Pretty much stays the same

"One Foot In Front of the Other" (2:47) is another alt metal rocker with guitar riffage, bass and drums. Kinda cliche and boring

"Sideways Jaw Trap" (4:19) starts out with a spooky guitar lick and then breaks into grungy alt metal riffage. This one has some cool time sig changes, riff freak outs and overall interesting little sidetracks from its average sounding tones and tempo

"Mosquito on Stilts" (2:41) starts out fast and furious with heavy distorted guitars chuggin' and punishing percussion. Changes up the riffs with time sig changes and tempo breaks. One of the coolest track titles

"Trading Post" (6:01) is yet another crunchy highly distorted alt metal guitar riff attack that changes tempo, loudness dynamics and to a lesser extent time sig changes. Has that trademark BUCKETHEAD riff thang goin' on. Clucking upper register guitar riffs and at times a marching percussion. More guitar range on this one than the others

"Cyborg Parking" (1:26) is a heavy chugga chugga type of metal track that becomes a fast riffer. It then breaks into a slower riff and then it's over. Bye

"Hollowed Out" (4:41) begins with clean guitar and ambient background. Quite a contrast to the distortionfest that every track relishes in. This one is ultra-slow and breezy with a swirly background but then some drums lazily lollygag into the picture and the bass gets excited but then both drop out and more ambient new age guitar. Drums come in again. It pretty much stays slow and unagitating for the entire run

This one is pretty cool in that it has some great ideas in these here tracks but at the same time there is too much "been there, done that" as well. In the end, good but not great and the more of these i hear, the higher my standards get!