Joe Satriani - ENGINES OF CREATION
Date 4/20/2000 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureJoe Satriani. For those of you who are scrunching your faces up in question, let me clarify who this man is. Mr. Satriani may be one of the most influential persons in the world of Rock guitar alive today. We can have the whole Hendrix/Lennon/Vaughan argument some other time. Joe Satriani has taught guitarists from Megadeth, Metallica and other big-name bands and has toured with other guitar gurus such as Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, and has basically just kicked butt in the area of guitar virtuoso.
Engines of Creation is Joe's newest venture into the world of rock guitar, and showcases his talents wonderfully. Not only does he play some wicked solos, he also wrote, arranged and produced the entire album. Engines goes far to separate the rock guitar from the rock vocals, as those vocalists in the readership will find none on the entire album. That does not mean that the record is devoid of imagination or drive, Mr. Satriani simply finds ways to move the music through non-vocal means. This means that the listener will find an impressive blend of techno-beats with soaring guitar melodies and pulsing drums converging into driving rhythms that start the head unconsciously nodding to the beat.
Especially beautiful is track number four: "Until We Say Goodbye." I may be sentimental, but that is the way to tell someone that you never want to be apart. If you get the chance, be sure to check out the segue from track 8 to track 9. Nothing like a techno break-beat to liven things up.
On the whole, I have to say that I am impressed. Joe Satriani has once again taken control of the power of music and given it to the common listener. The music of pleasure, pain, anger and happiness can all be found with Mr. Satriani as a guide and friend. I give it four stars out of a possible four.
Be sure to listen for this album on KWLC, and if you don't hear it you can always put in a request.
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Joshua Kail
Chips Guest Columnist
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