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All rights reserved.Engines of Creation - Satriani, Joe (CD 2000)
Our Man Satch in the 21st CenturyReview created: 06/09/00
by: KoolZoid -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
The Master in his element.
The Master in his element.
Cons:
Often inappropriate rhythm sections.
Often inappropriate rhythm sections.
'Engines of Creation' is the latest studio album from guitar legend, Joe Satriani. Once more, faithful Ibanez in hand, Joe sets about making us mere mortals look at our clumsy fingers in disgust. This time out, he offers us 12 tracks of psychedaelic guitar to a trip-hop beat.
Not your everyday, run-of-the-mill Satriani album then, eh?
Those familiar with Joe's long legato phrasing and intricate melodys will feel at ease initially, although it is quite a departure from the rock-driven 'surf' songs of previous albums, a departure that was hinted at with 'Crystal Planet' (the album before this one). Now we find hypnotic, almost ethnic drumbeats, a heavy helping of synthesised sound effects and a much more nasal, processed tone to the guitar.
Although the playing style is recognisably 'Satch', I'd be hard-pressed to say any of the actual songs themselves are familiar in style. Many of them have a more 'dance-beat' feel to them, 'Flavor Crystal' and 'Borg Sex' falling heavily into this category. So strong is this influence that a lot of the album feels like some bizarre marriage of modern dance music and frenetic guitar work. Some of it works and some of it, I'm sad to say, doesn't. 'Attack' fails on this score, the overly-fast techno rhythm distracting from the guitar work, and yet 'Clouds Race Across the Sky' benefits from a more relaxed, trance-beat treatment.
For the long-standing Joe fans, there is further reference to the Silver Surfer in the eastern-influenced 'Power Cosmic 2000 - Parts 1 and 2', with 'Until We Say Goodbye' and the title track, 'Engines of Creation' being the more traditional Satriani fare on offer here. 'Until We Say Goodbye' is, in fact, comfortably familiar to the classic 'Always With Me, Always With You'.
On the whole this album is less accessible than most of his previous work. The playing is every bit as eclectic and evocative as one would expect from this guitar guru, but the songs themselves feel alien and unfamiliar. It is good, but it is not going to appeal to everyone, not even all the existing Satriani fans. For myself, I enjoyed it though.
Highlights: Devil's Slide, Until We Say Goodbye
Near Misses: Attack, Slow and Easy
Not your everyday, run-of-the-mill Satriani album then, eh?
Those familiar with Joe's long legato phrasing and intricate melodys will feel at ease initially, although it is quite a departure from the rock-driven 'surf' songs of previous albums, a departure that was hinted at with 'Crystal Planet' (the album before this one). Now we find hypnotic, almost ethnic drumbeats, a heavy helping of synthesised sound effects and a much more nasal, processed tone to the guitar.
Although the playing style is recognisably 'Satch', I'd be hard-pressed to say any of the actual songs themselves are familiar in style. Many of them have a more 'dance-beat' feel to them, 'Flavor Crystal' and 'Borg Sex' falling heavily into this category. So strong is this influence that a lot of the album feels like some bizarre marriage of modern dance music and frenetic guitar work. Some of it works and some of it, I'm sad to say, doesn't. 'Attack' fails on this score, the overly-fast techno rhythm distracting from the guitar work, and yet 'Clouds Race Across the Sky' benefits from a more relaxed, trance-beat treatment.
For the long-standing Joe fans, there is further reference to the Silver Surfer in the eastern-influenced 'Power Cosmic 2000 - Parts 1 and 2', with 'Until We Say Goodbye' and the title track, 'Engines of Creation' being the more traditional Satriani fare on offer here. 'Until We Say Goodbye' is, in fact, comfortably familiar to the classic 'Always With Me, Always With You'.
On the whole this album is less accessible than most of his previous work. The playing is every bit as eclectic and evocative as one would expect from this guitar guru, but the songs themselves feel alien and unfamiliar. It is good, but it is not going to appeal to everyone, not even all the existing Satriani fans. For myself, I enjoyed it though.
Highlights: Devil's Slide, Until We Say Goodbye
Near Misses: Attack, Slow and Easy
Review ID: 10000000000425620
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