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 Powerful and Moving Jun 16, 2009
Many people are hammering this album, but I really can't see why. Every track is obviously Satriani playing electric guitar; only the bass/percussion are synth, which I humbly believe he uses exceptionally well to empower and drive the music.
If you love his '95 album, "Joe Satriani", and think that's what he should do with his talent, you probably won't like this. If you don't like music full of energy and passion, you probably won't like this. Frankly, that's your loss; this album truly has some of his most powerful and moving compositions. Despite hesitation to buy the album (due to the high volume of negative reviews), I am pleased to announce this is my favorite Satriani album.
Matthew 6:33
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 strangest Satriani album ever! May 01, 2009
Simply judging from the high number of 1, 2 & 3 stars(60%),
you could tell this aint his best.
It's more of guest starring Joe Satriani; an experiment in sound, techno synth, & electric keyboards. Not the same old shred guitar rock album.
He has a right to be different, experiment, and grow as an artist, but not to ask his fans to pay hard earned $ for his delusions.
One Of My Favorite Satch Albums Jan 15, 2009
I don't really consider myself a "fan" of Satriani in the true sense the way others do. I appreciate some of his stuff, but he doesn't move me the way other instrumental artists such as Greg Howe, Jason Becker, Allan Holdsworth, Tony Macalpine, Shawn Lane, or Yngwie Malmsteen do for that matter.
So, with that out of the way, there are only three Satriani albums I own, and they're the only ones I find interesting to listen to; Not of This Earth, Surfing With the Alien, and Engines of Creation. As far as I'm concerned those three albums represent everything great about Satriani and I believe are his most creative.
I like this album for the same reason the die hard fans panned it, because it doesn't sound like typical Satriani. As I said already, I find typical Satriani boring. To say this album is techno with guitar on top is a huge stretch. You can't dance to anything on the album, and it would certainly not go over well at a rave at all! The standout guitar dominant songs are Devils Slide, Flavor Crystal 7, and the album highlight (IMO) Borg Sex. Borg Sex is a complete showcase for Satch's legato playing, and anyone who thinks the "real" Satriani is missing from this album just needs to listen to Borg Sex for the real deal. The ballad Until We Say Goodbye also has a well thought out guitar solo.
The album contains two other ballads in the way of Clouds Race Across the Sky and Slow and Easy. Champagne? is a great tune, with dare I say a country guitar sound. Attack, The Power Cosmic 2000 Pt.1 and Pt.2, and Engines of Creation are all fantastic songs in their own right, but are absent of the guitar solo work found on the album's first three tunes. Not a problem for me, but again I can see this being a problem for the Satch faithful.
I'm so happy Satriani went ahead with this little experiment. I think just like his first album, this was a very successful melding of drum sequencing, creative guitar layering, interesting rhythmic concepts, lush keyboard work, otherworldly guitar sounds, and fierce lead playing. I wish Satch would do another album like this, but I think this was a one-off unfortunately (for me). Great stuff, and thank you Mr. Satriani having the courage to branch out regardless of whatever backlash you knew you would have to deal with.
HIghly Underrated Dec 18, 2008
There were enough bad reviews here that I had to contribute a defense. Yes it's a techno-based album. Yes it's unlike anything Satriani had done before. But seriously, if he never tried new things he wouldn't be very innovative now would he? This album is a fine example why Joe is one of the all time greats. Despite what the other reviews have said, by the way, the fret work is mind blowing. A couple of my favorites....
Devil's Slide is a dark song with a preposterously cool 45 second solo in the middle that once again proves Satch the master of legato.
Grammy nominated Until we Say Goodbye is slower but amazing in composition. It's one that noone else on the planet could play quite like him.
The Power of Cosmic 1 & 2 take you on a creepy journey. They also use that funky right hand muting, left hand tapping thing he made famous on Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, actually using it the rhythm on part 2.
So yes it's different. It's much about the mood the album puts you in, which the amazing guitar work contributes a lot to. If you want the same guitar, bass, drums that you're used to, look elsewhere. If you want something different and weird, buy this immediately.
I love Joe Satriani's work! May 27, 2008
I have been a major fan of Joe Satriani and his music for over 10 years. In fact, I was privileged to attend the Engines of Creation concert in Denver about seven years ago.
If you like guitar without lyrics, if you like instrumental music that is sometimes fast and other times very mellow, this is the stuff for you. I would strongly recommend Joe's music to anyone.
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