Customer Reviews

Strange Beautiful Music

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

To me, _Strange Beautiful Music_ is a different album from Satriani. The difference is nothing overt and obvious (like the change from _Crystal Planet_ to _Engines of Creation_, for instance). This is still a beautifully melodic instrumental guitar album -- what Satch does best. So how is it different? The first several times I listened to this CD, there were very few parts that made me raise my eyebrows and think, "Wow, he's such a good guitar player!" Don't get me wrong, Joe Satriani's technique on this album is amazing -- more perfect than ever. However, on _Strange Beautiful Music_ the astounding technical chops are so impeccably integrated that I'm hearing the awesome melodies, emotional acuity, non-stop grooves, and the amazing guitar tones before I even realize the skill with which it is created.

It's no secret that Satriani is the master of infusing pop hooks with his amazing guitar playing. The guitar is his voice, and his mastery of melodic hook is truly remarkable. Even here, the hooks are less immediate than, say, those thrown at you by _Crystal Planet_ or _Surfing with the Alien_. But...the songwriting! It will stun you with its cleverness. "Belly Dancer" boogies like mad, with a guitar solo that builds bar by bar to an exciting end. "Chords of Life" surrounds a deep rhythmic drive with some gorgeous and groovy music, as well as all the sparkling exuberance of a novice's first guitar lesson. "Mind Storm" is a heavy blitz that aggressively rises into an unforgettable, chilling guitar chorus. The dense percussion, tempo dynamics, and flying melodies of "The Traveler" evoke the feeling of resolute determination in the face of persistent challenges. The song feels like a spiritual journey. "The Journey" too summons up a feeling of travel, but in a more material sense. I can see myself cruising down the road, following the sun.

The ballads are lovely -- so subtle in their beauty, so commanding with the elegant musicianship, so emotionally penetrating even though no words are even spoken. "Starry Night" and "What Breaks a Heart" are just perfect (although the latter has some furious guitar solos). "You Saved My Life" is my favorite, ending the album with Satch's radiant bends quietly pricking at the special emotions deep down. The acoustic guitar and soft percussion set a beautiful backdrop, and even though the melody is a bit hard to grasp its beauty is unmistakable.

The songs are almost uniformly groovy, combining elements of Satch's blues background (explored wonderfully on his self-titled CD) with his more audacious technical capacity. "Hill Groove" puts liquid guitar lines atop a tasty rhythmic groove that leaves me smiling like a dolt. I mentioned "Belly Dancer", where the groove is so inescapable you may find yourself moving out of control. "Sleep Walk", featuring the mighty Robert Fripp, is a dreamy little spin on the old classic. "New Last Jam" will make your body want to move! You may not be able to control it.

_Strange Beautiful Music_ is a downright stunning guitar album, and very likely my favorite Satriani album.

Joe Satriani's latest studio release, Strange Beautiful Music, is a solid display of guitar mastery from one of the very best in the world. This album is not as experimental and "computerized" as 2000's Engines of Creation, nor is it the writing masterpiece that was Crystal Planet. However, unlike either of those albums, Satriani has begun to really tap into his potential as a guitarist while in the studio. His playing sounds much better than it has in the past. Joe's studio recordings often sound very tight and precise, which I suppose may be good for the type of music he plays. But listen to the studio vs. Live in San Francisco versions of The Crush of Love, Ice 9, Crystal Planet, and Surfing with the Alien, and you'll notice how much more relaxed and loose he sounds live. Strange Beautiful music captures that better than the albums in the past have. Several of the songs are typical Satch, but he still manages to throw in some amazing and impressive surprises around every corner. The best tracks on this disc are What Breaks a Heart, Belly Dancer, Chords of Life, and The Journey, though all of the others are exceptionally good, as well. This is really a great album that grows on you with every listen. After a day, I would still place it below Crystal Planet (my personal favorite), and although I only gave it 4 stars, it is likely to become one of my favorites as I listen to it more.

Forget everything you think you know about how a guitar is supposed to be played,and you might be in some kind of mind set to put this album in your CD player.
Although not exactley mainstream music,Joe Satriani's record sales are in the millions and he plays to sold out audiences worldwide.This album seems,at first,seems a mellow offering to the critically acclaimed "Surfing With The Alien",or the fantastic energy fuelled "Crystal Planet".On deeper listening,this is obviously not the case.Like a culmination of everything he has released to date,this album touches on all his work at times,blending them seamlessly(sometimes quirky)into a much more mature vibe.Nothing is left out style wise,brimming with acoustics,banjo,seven stringed guitars,and his uncanny knack of creating more beautiful catchy melody lines than you can shake a stick at,his amazing backing musicians(i use the term sparingly),dont miss a beat.They're the backbone of all this guitar indulgence.It doesn't sound engineered,on the contrary,it comes across live and fresh,and they obviously had a great time making this album together and it shows.
Fretboard acrobatics aplenty,Joe shows NO sign of slowing down.
Infact its faster,intermitent and used when its needed.He aint shredding here for the sake of it,not that he has to anyway.
Read it and weep non believers.If this learning curve is the future of Joe Satriani releases,then the best is yet to come.

I was a big detractor of Joe's last cd the techno flavored "Engines of Creation" and have spent two full years hoping that Joe wouldn't continue releasing cd's of a similar vein. Seems all my whining at his messageboard may not have been in vein. He comes roaring (and I stress that word) back with what is generally masterful work, generally. For me "EOC" had Borg Sex and little else of interest, but Strange Beautiful Music has Starry Night and much, much more.

1. Oriental Melody - 3/5 - more of an idea than a full fledged song. Not a bad idea, it just seems incomplete. Also, I don't sense anything Oriental about it. I was surprised to see this title on the sticker of the cd... definately not "single material" for the masses.

2. Belly Dancer - 3.5/5 - starts out great, has a clever middle section that reminds me of Vai's Pusa Road but seems to fall apart at the end as the band degenerates into goofing around.

3. Starry Night - 5/5 - Ok, now we are cooking. This is what Joe is about. Sending a message with no words, just the guitar. Joe, message recieved.

4. Chords of Life - 5/5 - Instant Classic. Should play great live, great middle piece.

5. Mind Storm - 4/5 - a great mover again will be fun live!

6. Sleep Walk - 5/5 - you can't go wrong with the tried and true, other than I would have liked it to sound more like Satriani. Had I not known it was him, I probably wouldn't have guessed it. Maybe should have taken a chance and did it with all distortion, who knows mighta worked.

7. New Last Jam - 3/5 - a fun Zepplin style romp, nice catchy rhythm.

8. Mountain Song - 3/5 - has a sort of odd isolation feel to it, seems timeless, a great quality in a song 2 days old!

9. What Breaks A Heart - 4/5 - Starts slow but really builds, stick with it. Absolutely freaky and intruiging middle piece.

10. Seven String - 5/5 - My personnel current fave. Meanest solo of the lot and a groove that just won't quit... it will stick in your mind to say the least.

11. Hill Groove - 3/5 - Kinda loopy, kinda groovy, there is a good groove under there somewhere.

12. The Journey - 2.5/5 - Hopeful beginning but... Ok, problems are setting in. How can you tell? Because we are heading to a close of a Satriani cd and for the life of me can't understand why his cd's always seem to have rather weak endings, this one is no different.

13. The Traveler - 2/5 - Like the above song, it doesn't seem to go anywhere.

14. You Saved My Life - 2/5 - I will likely listen to this song every other year hoping this is the year I like it, but I won't. Goes NOWHERE. Isn't memorable. It is slow but doesn't seem to have a lot of feeling. Like the cd Engines of Creation condensed into one song.

This cd hit me like the self titled disc did. It seemed fair at first but keeps growing on me each time I hear it. Well, thank God the experiment is over, Joe is back and sounding as good as ever (save for Crystal Planet). Now we need another dvd Joe!

After Joe's very experimental 2000 C.D. "Engines of Creation" with its electro rythmns,drum machines etc, he's returned with he's trademark Total Techno Metal! 7 of the 14 tracks are "in your face" killer guitar nos. with "Belly Dancer" ending with a 75 second incredible solo that starts of slow and just gets faster and faster.There are as always Joe's "ballads" - 4 this time around, though "What breaks a heart" has a heavy middle part.The surprise of the album is a re-make of the Santo and Johnny 1959 no.1 hit "Sleepwalk" with the legendary Robert Fripp - short and sweet!In short Joe has returned with another classic C.D. BUY IT!

Where have I heard that sound before? Who does Satriani sound like in his new album? In many songs you can identify this distinctive sound, so fresh you'll wonder if Joe has ever played like this before. He sounds like Joe Satriani, who else! A musician like him doesn't need to reinvent himself, the proof is at hand with this great production. He accomplishes a perfect blend of all the sounds he's been known for and methods he's experimented with throughout his career. You'll distinguish Arabic influences in the first two or three songs, nicely integrated, but don't expect the whole album to go this way. Just wait 'til you bump into the eclectic Mind Storm which is very reminiscent of songs like Time Machine mixed with Crystal Planet and with some Engines of Creation's effects thrown in for good measure. Listen to Chords of Life, What Breaks a Heart or You Saved My Life and you'll agree with me that this is the most passionate Satriani's ever sounded. I won't make this longer, you go buy Strange Beautiful Music, you'll love it.

In the past however many years Satch has been around, part of his style has been demon speed solos, but in Strange Beautiful Music he moves toward more complex rythems that don't require him to go all out as he used to. For instance, the first track, Oriental Melody, has a real mello slow intro w/little guitar effort but the synthesizer and drop-D guitar are in perfect sync until the breakdown where its Joe and Jeff sweeping and jamming and the lead is taken again by the intro. This may sound odd and not typical but it works perfectly. It's like Yngwie's Far Beyond the Sun only toned down from mind less shred to harmony. I went to the Stange Beautful Tour (and got a pick too!) where Satch primarilly promoted the album and it was even better live to see the barrage of new guitars he has like seven and double-necked. If your a Surfing with the Alien fan or shredder, this may seem a bit low key but to ANYONE else I would recommend that you buy this.

Highlights:
5. Mindstorm
1. Oriental Melody
7. New Last Jam
10. Seven String
2. Belly Dancer

That's the top 5 of fourteen, and it was a close battle.

Joe Satriani puts more feeling into his guitar mastery than most present day rock songwriters put into their lyrics. This album is an example of what a great guitarist is capable of. It's not the perfect recording, but the emotion put into this album is very real. From soothing songs like "Starry Night", "You saved My Life" and "What Breaks a Heart" to gripping riffs and mind bending solos on songs "Mind Storm", "Mountain Song" and "Seven Strings" to just flat out rock songs such as "Belly Dancer", "Hill Groove" and "The Journey"
The one thing I must mention is his song "Chords of Life". He finally let his Jimi Hendrix influence out. It has a very "All Along the Watchtower" feel to it. It is just an absolute favorite of mine.
If you like Joe Satriani at all, you will like this album.

Okay, I see some other people have already gone track by track, but my turn =).

1. Oriental Melody - 7/10 - At first I disliked the song, but it's growing on me. Very cool feel to it, with some cool palm muting going on, with a solo that kinda reminded me of Cool #9 live.

2. Belly Dancer - 8/10 - Very cool. Joe is a wah-god, and this piece is no exception. Nice classical solo around 1:12.

3. Starry Night - 9/10 - Grab your girl, folks. Very nice, rather romantic song. Nice solo, Joe knows when to shred and when to just flow to the song.

4. Chords Of Life - 9.5/10 - This is pretty cool, Vai's wife doing rhythm on harp. Started out a little slow, stick with it. The chords live up to their name, though reminded me somewhat of the Eagles. But what really blew me away was the solo. Oh. My. God.

5. Mind Storm - 10/10 - IMHO, this is the perfect song. Very intense, with a cool octave sound on the lead, and the chords in the chorus are mind-blowing. I would buy a tab book just for this song. Also, awesome slide solo at 1:54. Excellent.

6. Sleep Walk - 3/10 - What, is this Joe? Sorry, but spare me the nostalgia. Nice slide though. Same as the original.

7. New Last Jam - 7.5/10 - Very cool Zeppelin feel. Nice solo ~1:45, starts out slow, then some awesome shredding. Average across the board.

8. Mountain Song - 9.5/10 - Nice, you can see the mountains! Already has classic potential. Joe has some awesome layering in this song. Very nice solo ~1:20. Solo at the end is good, not great.

9. What Breaks A Heart - 8/10 - A little sad sounding and slow in the beginning, the wah didn't improve the sadness either. 'Course, heartbreak is sad, to put it mildly. Starts building up, with a nice bridge. The whammy ~2:10 is a little absurd, around the 22nd fret then raised another octave, THEN raised even mth the bar. Cool solo, though.

10. Seven String - 6.5/10 - Rejoice, Joe on 7 string! Sigh, it's not as good as it could've been! In Crystal Planet and Engines Of Creation, the songs seemed to degrade near the end (minus Z.Z.'s Song on CP), and SBM is no different.

11. Hill Groove - 7.5/10 - Okay, I can kinda see the groove Joe is trying to get, just missed. Cool despite that.

12. The Journey - 9/10 - Alright! Very nice intro, cool phased chorus, excellent solos. Awesome song.

13. The Traveler - 6.5/10 - Umm, what happened? The Journey was doing good, then the traveler came along and screwed things up. Decent.

14. You Saved My Life - 8.5/10 - Well, you can see where the words "you saved my life" go. Sounds a little too close to country for my taste. Absolutely gorgeous interlude at the end, though, it's one saving grace.

CD. Strange Beautiful Music - 9/10 - Definitely worth the money. Crystal Planet is still my fave, but this is an awesome CD.

I get a sense from some other reviewers that they think Joe has made a triumphant return of sorts. In my opinion, he never went anywhere. That is to say that I think every album Joe has made is quality stuff. I know some didn't care for 2000's Engines of Creation, but I thought it was a fine album and more than anything, it was Joe being Joe. Perhaps this album does seem a bit like other Satriani albums from the past, but he still manages to attempt fresh, new angles on many songs on Strange Beautiful Music.

Don't let the title fool you. "Oriental Melody" is actually a laid-back rocker. Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself. (Sorry, Walt.) "Belly Dancer" has a lot of the smokin' Joe guitar that is reminiscent of material from Surfing with the Alien and The Extremist (both excellent).

After listening to the album five or six times now, I've gotten used to "What Breaks a Heart". At first I found it annoying and thought that Joe was all over the map with this one. What can I say? It grew on me. The great songs here include "Mind Storm", "New Last Jam", "Mountain Song", "Hill Groove", and "The Traveler". All of these have Joe at his best. Having said all of that, I have to say that I could have done without a remake of the 60's era "Sleep Walk" by Santo and Johnny. Sorry. It just doesn't do it for me and doesn't seem like a good song for Joe to cover. "You Saved My Life" is also one of the very few weak tracks on ther album.

Overall, this is good stuff. I still consider 1998's Crystal Planet to be Joe's best, most ambitious album and it will take a lot for him to top it in the coming years. However, this is still an album of quality material and deserves praise from the Satriani faithful.