Repetition of old material, not all of them are live performances maybe?
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The Time Machine album, released in 1993 is a new offering of Satriani's work as well as a slight look back on his old work with an added cd with some of his older tracks on, almost like a mini best of! Some live tracks added in are a pleasant addition.
CD 1 - 01 - Time Machine This track opens with a small drum fill which then proceeds to what I deem to be a nice refreshing song, it builds up at a medium pace, and delivers a rather relaxing and enjoyable melody. I do tend to loose some of the background instrumentation detail, as this track seems to be a little too washed with reverb (echo). Overall the track is a nice slow opener for the album, there isn't too much new fancy work, or anything spectacular about this track apart from a few new guitar sounds added in, it just takes the place as a nice opening track leading the way to the next song.
CD 1 - 02 - The Mighty Turtle Head Joe's always been one of imagination when deciding the titles of his tracks, although this song has, in my mind nothing to do with a turtle as it starts off with a rather up beat and up tempo riff that I like! The clarity on this track as well as the last is noticeable compared to other recording of his work, as the backing instruments are really only bass and drums, so the lead guitar is doing more "interesting" work to make the song more palatable. Overall this song has a strong motif and chugs along quite nicely slightly raising the tempo from the first song.
CD 1 - 03 - All Alone A much slower paced song, which is the ballad of the album (which, if you are familiar with Joe's work already you know takes the 3rd /4th track listing on all his albums.) The song suggests some sort of reflective mood, with a rather motivating guitar melody. Although this ballad is a nice song in its own rights it doesn't have the same dramatic effect of some of his other ones, for examples "always with me, always with you".
CD 1 - 04 - Banana Mango II First off, I didn't know there was a first one, and I am not even going to try and explain the title to this one! However it starts off with a funky introduction that is exciting and rather uplifting. The melody guitar is fluid and befits the face paced intricate backing music. A little bit of a "weird guitar sounds" bonanza, they don't seem all too out of place unlike on some tracks. Overall, this song takes till over half way before it starts to get going, but the feel doesn't change from that set in the first minute. It will probably have you skipping it after that.
CD 1 - 05 - Thinking Of You I have to say that this really should have taken the ballad spot of track number 3. This track has a different feel to it, almost like its from another album. I have to say that I really love this track, the guitars work so well with the backing guitar. And all the drums are percussion such as shakers and bells, and it really works well. Overall, a sad toned melody effectively conveys a longing and tenderness, with some dramatic build ups where you are just waiting for the guitar to let loose, but it is kept on the reins and the songs progresses on.
CD 1 - 06 - Crazy Ok, not on of my favourite tracks. It's got vocals on it, which in the long run isn't the worst ever but could be better. The roots of this song seem to stem from the blues format, with a rock spice and twist to it. Not really much to say for this song, a rather repetitive backing guitar accompanies the vocals most of the way through, how ever the middle guitar solo is worth a listen its pretty good!
CD 1 - 07 - Speed Of Light I think that this track might have been used on a film or something although I am not entirely sure. The track is a really nice uplifting punchy little number, and from the start is a cool groove track. There is something quite addictive about the little tune that starts off the piece before it leads into to phase which help progress the track through its different phases. Overall I really like this track it's definitely a feel good track, and you can see where the song gets its name. A must listen!
CD 1 - 08 - Baroque Well most people know that Baroque was a period of musical history although I am not too sure how well this befits the period…seeing as though its played on an electric guitar and with lots of "magical" effects, so maybe it is referring to a "baroque essence". The tune is rather nice and relaxing with just one single guitar playing a nice ditty. However although I really like this track there are some really rather less-than-great bits that try and mimic baroque styled music which detract from the tune.
CD 1 - 09 - Dweller On The Threshold A rather dramatic change to the last song, starting with an instant build up to where you feel the guitar is just going to loose it and the whole song is going to be over. However it is brought back under control and the song proceeds at a very fast pace conveying a sense of urgency, with some nice bass fills making this song a little different to the last. However I am not too impressed with the "random" guitar parts that sound too artificial and detract from the song. Overall not too bad but I'd skip it about a minute in.
CD 1 - 10 - Banana Mango Hey here is the first banana mango! So we have found it, and yes there are similarities to the first…by the first I mean the second banana mango track…are you confused? This one follows on the theme much like the last, providing pleasant listening with nice textures to keep the ear intrigued.
CD 1 - 11 - Dreaming #11 A nice medium passed guitar movement backed by a synthesised bass starts this song nicely with a rather sober mood, before going into a nice refreshing funk like transition which is different to anything on the album. Here the bass rules for the most part with the guitar doing little licks (fills) keeping it hopping along. Overall this sounds like it should be used for a films driving scene at the end of a movie where they are driving down the highway!
CD 1 - 12 - I Am Becoming Death I don't think he's talking about hangovers here, but after a cresendoing introduction is goes into a rather hard bit to describe. Its something along the lines of a reverberating, vibrating ….ahh I give up, its just rather a strange sound, which is then passes from to provide a rather dull melody. Not one of the best tracks on the album. Maybe its just not my kinda thing.
CD 1 - 13 - Saying Goodbye Something sounding like it is going to become the beginning of a power ballad or something similar to a Jeff beck song, there are some really annoying "drum" styled claps unless its my version that's a little messed up! The song is slow, and soft, with tender leads that are backed by somewhat harrowing synth keyboard parts. Overall an ok song, nothing more really to say, its another ballad type song just a lot slower.
The next set of songs are all found on other albums, and this just seems to be a mini collection of some of his best songs so far.
CD 2 -01 - Satch Boogie This is almost his personal track, in the sense his nick name is "Satch" and we are led to believe this song was the result of his guitar teacher and Joe naming his riffs " satch boogie 1, 2, 3, 4 etc" This song is crazy, just with the amount of energy it posses, and is a really cool song to see live, although I am not particularly favourable to it. The main riff again is catchy and almost infectious along with the almost seeming jazz drumbeat. Overall this song could almost be used as a nice introduction to the start of a gig, just to bring the band out in style.
CD 2 -02 - Summer Song One of my all time favourites, it starts out with the familiar, almost dry drum sounds accompanying a rhythm guitar playing a very simple two chord riff (which for me is addictively catchy!), but simple is effective on this song so we like it! The introduction of the harmonics makes another nice change to the song giving it a different sound over his other songs. (The introduction is almost like a fresh start to the album, making a nice change when it ratchets up the speed) When it gets going into the melody it's another catchy hit to my ears! This theme develops throughout the piece with a couple of modulations around the key, to make it a very good easy listening song. With some impressive middle section playing, which can almost make it sound like the song is losing its way - that is until the main riff kicks back in and then its all go again! Summed up Fast happy, good mood generating :-)
CD 2 -03 - Flying In A Blue Dream A smooth very technical piece! One of Joes more mellow tracks with very smooth fast playing. This piece is another easily listening one where you soak up the atmosphere it generates, and is quite relaxing. Summed up, melodic and relaxing. This track has really grown on my, although I really think that the live version posses some more feeling and punch to them so check them out as well!
CD 2 -04 - Cryin' One ballad off the extremist album, it's a really nice song with soft chords, big fat guitar tones, which sound instantly likeable and kind to the ear. It conveys sadness, but also the rhythm lends its self to a feeling of hope and calmness. This song never seems to come on too strong and Joe resists the urge to over power us with those power ballad type traits. Overall a polished and slick song which leaves you feeling more relaxed and happy :-) I just love this song, however it might go on a little too long and it has some repetitiveness about it. CD 2 -05 - The Crush Of Love I think that this is a re-recorded version as it's not the same as the very original. A very fat bass line and emotional guitar playing makes this piece a real joy to listen to, for sheer expression, although the studio version is no way as good as the live ones its a great sound track with a racy introduction and chorus with more laid back funky verses where you can just soak it up. Summed up . Head nodding stuff ! Easy to listen to, check out the live in San Francisco version!
CD 2 -06 - Tears In The Rain (LIVE TRACK) This song title is supposedly inspired by a film (ill find out which one when I find the article again…) where a character sums up his emotions commenting that they are just like "tears in the rain". I have to say that I really like this track, and have learnt to woo people with it on guitar! This is a short but beautiful and graceful track...only on classical guitar playing a short tune which alone brings the atmosphere of sadness. The song builds into a faster section and development of the main riff, to slowly come down and end with one of the nicest 3chord endings I have ever heard. A great but short track.
CD 2 - 07 - Always With Me, Always With You (Must listen to!) A lovely ballad from the Surfing with the Alien album, which is simple and very effective with some lovely melody parts which inspires daydreams. I saw him play this live a while back and the reaction from the crown was to huge applause when he started to almost staring in captivation with the song. Truely great.
CD 2 - 08 - Big Bad Moon (LIVE VERSION) This live version is a little too tiney, so best to check out the studio version or another version…This is a rocky racy blues based song about a guy who gets changed by the moon, and there is this weird feeling that takes over his body! The guitar solos are really rocking and interesting to listen to with a variety of cool effects used. The lyrics aren't half bad either, and this makes this song a really good crowd goer in a concert he does. It's not half as serious as some of the songs he does so he has a lot of fun with it live.
CD 2 - 09 - Surfing With The Alien (LIVE VERSION) If you have not heard of this track then its very unlikely that you have ever heard anything of Joe's before (unless you have watched the film "Say Anything" which features song clips of "one big rush"!). This is THE track to listen to (also see my review under "Guitars" for Joe to check out other songs to listen to.) just for the fact that it should leave you with your mind ticking over the question … " can a guitar make those sounds?" the answer my friends is yes! His skill on this fast paced rocky melodic track ties in some repetition, but the riffs are good so making it not too tiring to listen to, the colour full additions of crazy sounds (not so crazy as Mr Vai's) helps keep this track smoothly running along.
CD 2 - 10 - Rubina A ballad dedicated to his wife, is moving and slow. It has something about it, which makes you completely relaxed and chilled out, yet feeling slightly sad for no reason. Summed up, gentle, tender song not over powering and a nice relaxing listen. I really have to say that I love this song, another top one from Joe!
CD 2 - 11 - Circles (LIVE VERSION) This has one of the COOLEST introductions, I don't know what it is about it, maybe its just the obviously over powering drums, but I like it, although it might not be to everyone's taste. Anyhow after a small introduction that leads very nicely onto the main song where there is something about the clarity in the songs melody and tone here that lends its self to creating images of a dark, rainy windy night, and being out walking. The track takes off a crazy upbeat solo, only to return to the image casting introduction riff where it slowly fades. The accented bass in this version really added to the performance, shame it wasn't implemented into the studio version.
CD 2 - 12 - Drum Solo (LIVE VERSION) Need I say more? I am not really skilled enough to comment on the complexity or the skill of which is used in this solo, although it is pretty impressive by anyone's standards although I expect most people will skip the track.
CD 2 - 13 - Lords Of Karma (LIVE VERSION) The recording for this track is pretty damn good, and has a rough and ready feel to it, which I think personally added to the effectiveness of the track. It comes in with a sitar sounding electric guitar, then a big build up into a song that sounds kinda like you have heard it before, even if you haven't. The song melody is pretty good, it sounds a little too busy at times, almost like it could fall over itself at any second, and there are some parts that sound like the should be in top gun! Its that kind of track! Overall I think that this track is one you have to listen to a few times to appreciate it, and it will grow on you. I didn't like it at start, but its slowly growing on me…unless I am just getting to lazy to hit the skip button on my cd player…
CD 2 - 14 - Echo (LIVE VERSION) The levels of the instruments seem a bit off in the mix with the guitar really over powering the rest, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the song. This song follows on well from the last, carrying along the same elements of sadness and what seems like a lonely feeling. Although this is extended I still like it and I don't think that it's the kind of song that can go on much longer than is played on this album. A good ending song It seems like a more progressing addon to the last song.
Overall I really like this album; the new material is more than welcome, however I think this trend really should have been carried on with the album after (Joe Satriani 1995 = http://cd.ciao.co.uk/Joe_Satriani_Joe_Satriani__Review_5506755) which is a vast change from this album.) It's most definitely worth buying just for the nice liver performances enhancing the new material.
