Joe Satriani - Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani - Joe Satriani Released in 1995, and follows the trend of an album being released every two years roughly in that decade.

First off, those of you who have read any of my previous reviews know I enjoy this type of music very much, listening to it and performing it. For those of you who haven't heard much on Joe, his thing is "Guitar + Rock = Guitar instrumental Rock" which appeals to a larger audience than one ...
...in advance that although I am a fan of his work, this album for me sticks out as the weak link in the chain of all his work, I feel like the albums songs don't complement his other tunes like previous albums. But each to his own, and so ill try to be as fair as possible when writing this review.

1 - Cool #9
This is a smooth groove classic, which often doubles as his opener to get things warmed up. The basis for this song is ... more

Joe Satriani - Joe Satriani Released in 1995, and follows the trend of an album being released every two years roughly in that decade.

First off, those of you who have read any of my previous reviews know I enjoy this type of music very much, listening to it and performing it. For those of you who haven't heard much on Joe, his thing is "Guitar + Rock = Guitar instrumental Rock" which appeals to a larger audience than one might think.

I have to say in advance that although I am a fan of his work, this album for me sticks out as the weak link in the chain of all his work, I feel like the albums songs don't complement his other tunes like previous albums. But each to his own, and so ill try to be as fair as possible when writing this review.

1 - Cool #9
This is a smooth groove classic, which often doubles as his opener to get things warmed up. The basis for this song is a more contemporary blues style with the added effects and playing techniques of the modern day. Although this song is pretty good, and many people like it, it doesn't strike the same chord with me because I feel some of the whacky effects take away from the ease at which you can follow this song, leaning somewhat to "Vai Territory". (Vai : ref to guitarist Steve Vai)

2 - If
Following on quite well from Cool#9 this song too is a rocky blues rendition. The main line is rather catchy, and this track is a chill out song. It strikes me as nothing particularly special and at near 5 minutes long I think that it could have been shortened. This is definitely the jam track of the album.

3 - Down, Down, Down
Something more mellow, typical of the number 3 slot on any of his albums, typically the love ballad. This song starts off with a very slow progression but in the mid part its tempo increases and it hits a nice bluesy stride, which conveys quite a lot of emotion, before returning to the main melody at the beginning with variations on the main theme.

4 - Luminous Flesh Giants
This song starts off with a killer riff, its heavy, powerful and gets your foot tapping. This slides into the main passage of the song, really well as the main lead, lays in a smooth groove, I really like this song as you can tell, and am surprised it hasn't been features on a greatest hits album or at least played live. The main riff that was so dominant at the start plays a major part of the song throughout with the melody playing around it for the vast part of the song. If you like the intro riff, then you'll like the rest of the song. There are plenty of dynamic changes in volumes, textures of the music leading to an exciting aurally pleasing song.

5 - S M E
Another blues one, that sounds very similar to "If". I listened to all 6 minutes and 43 seconds! Summing this up, I would say the song sounds fairly standard (with the long guitar bends and well known guitar type phrases), however the addition of the harmonica is a welcomed instrument to the music texture and helps keep the song that little bit more interesting. I am not much of a blue fan, but this song is pretty good, and if I had not heard "If" earlier I would appreciate its musicality more I expect. Although the main melody provides a lot of variation, the continues and very repetitive backing could do with some variation to make this song better, and so easily.

6 - Look My Way
The very percussive introduction, and vocal beginning makes this song standout, and provides a welcomed break from the long drawn out blues songs. Its up beat, and has a "jig" like beat, maybe you might feel like dancing to it, but ill stay on my chair for now. The vocals, although they sound like they have been recorded through some distortion effects provide something else to entertain your ears for the duration of the song. This more condensed song at only 4 minutes is a lot more listener friendly in my opinion.

7 - Home
A lovely tender and sweet song, I really like this laid back melody. The melody is soft, and relaxing. The backing instruments remain subdued, but still prominent enough to add flavour to the song. A short but nice tune with feeling and relaxation in mind.

8 - Moroccan Sunset
Leaning more to the rock side, but slow rock, this song starts with a rather sinister melody which develops into a rather good song that I rather like, although there is a rather odd, sparse ending to the song which I feel is a little loose and it all gets a little bit out of place it partially detracts from the overall impression. If you listen to the song you might know what I mean. Over all a nice song. Thumbs up Joe!

9 - Killer Bee Bop
The discordant and rather alientoric beginning (i.e. its very random) leaves me wondering what on earth is going to come next…well it doesn't ever really seem to leave this realm as it becomes 3 minutes and 48 seconds of randomness, unless my cd's messed up, this song really is rather odd. Dominated with drums that are above everything else, and sounding out with the guitar, I think the guys were drunk and recorded this as a laugh, yeah…an odd song.

10 - Slow Down Blues
Weighing in at 7 minutes and 25 seconds, this little song starts off with a single acoustic guitar working and adding to an initial riff, which is rather pleasant. It slowly gets added to with a harmonica and some vocal "noises", as they aren't really words. It returns to a single guitar again (acoustic guitar) before building up to becoming something that to me sounds like ZZ TOP!! I think that this blues song is probably the more pleasant off the album in my opinion. Overall a nice song, but still very long and drawn out.

11 - You're My World
A return to the melodic ballad type song, this song is a nice one to end the album on. The song has some nice twists with deviations from some of the standard riffs and melody phrases venturing into some improvisation sound guitar work, using some nice effects to spice it up. A relaxing song, that slowly drives along keeping it interesting to listen to.
12 - Sitting Around
Yep you guessed it another blues based track. This really didn't need to be put on here, but now its just starting to sound like the ones that have come before it, with nothing that really seems to make it stand out. Not a track that I would listen to over and over again.

Overall the first thing I have to say is that it all seems to be rather drawn out, and some of the material usage is stretched. I am not personally a great fan of blues, but this seems to get repetitive especially without the lyrics on the tracks. Although I really like the vast majority of Joe's music I have to say this album for me is not his greatest work and doesn't do his skills as a guitarist the justice they deserve. I know his roots are based in blues, but he is definitely in his element when he is composing and performing his instrumental rock. I also feel that this type will appeal to more listeners than the very bluesy based material on this album. Some of the tracks are worth a listen, but I wouldn't really highly recommend it to be brought unless you are a fan and have to have it.
 

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