This is Satriani’s 2nd full length album released after Not of This Earth and an EP Dreaming#9. Surfing was the album that launched Joe into full blown guitar hero territory. Surprisingly, this was recorded quite cheaply as Joe tracked guitar and bass, and the majority of the drums are programmed (apart from a couple of tracks which long time drummer Jeff Campitelli plays on). What makes this album, and in fact all Joe’s albums, different from all other guitarists solo efforts is that Joe concentrates on the melody of the song. The guitar melodies for the songs are written as if they were for a vocalist.
Things start off in great style with the title track with a killer melody and groove with some killer leads. 2nd track, Ice 9, is one of my personal faves on the album, and then boom…straight into Crushing Day – a very apt title as it does just that. The next track, Always With Me, is a bit of a let down to be honest after the killer start. Spirits lifted with the next track, Satch Boogie, which to this day is still a crowd favourite when played live.
Side 2 starts off with a small atmospheric piece called Hill of the Skull, and then straight into the awesome and best track on the album, Circles. Circles starts with a really cool chord sequence, and then launches into an awesome rock groove with Joe laying down some serious guitar. Lords Of Karma, Midnight, and the brilliant Echo, close out the record.
This version is the two disc RSD Black Friday release from a couple of years ago. The 2nd disc is a yellow vinyl and has all of Joe’s guitar leads removed so you can strum along if you wish. All in all, I can appreciate widdlers like Malmsteen as great technicians, but to me Joe is head and shoulders above for his ability to use the guitar to write a melody and a great tune – also he can rip with the best of them.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
