Surfing With The Alien [Remaster] by Joe Satriani (CD, Oct-1997, Epic USA)

This is the album that established Joe Satriani as one of the modern-day guitar gods, and deservedly so! This is a masterpiece of writing and skill. "Surfing With the Alien" starts it off and establishes Joe's early tone that was copied by so many. This one also starts a series of songs related to the Marvel superhero Silver Surfer (this album cover; "Back to Shalla-Bal" on the album "Flying in a Blue Dream" and "The Power Cosmic 2000, parts 1&2 on "Engines of Creation") "Satch Boogie" is an extremely rockin' tune that is his trademark. Still jaw-dropping after all this time. "Always With You, Always With Me" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and is one of the songs that got him noticed by mainstream audiences (it is often played during figure skating routines, along with another song by Joe, "All Alone") "Circles" is a song that was probably a source of inspiration for many alternative and punk bands simply for the fact that it starts out nice and soft, then goes nuclear, then back to nice and soft. Plus, "Crushing Day" is one of the most all-around perfect songs I've ever heard. As a whole, this is a must-definitely-own for any fan of the guitar. Well deserving of the perfect score.