Roo's Satriani Collection

Strange Beautiful Music Review

Surfer's Score : NOT RATED

CD Cover Unavailable

OK, so I'm minding my own business just thinking to myself "hmm, self... I wonder when Satch's next masterpieces is due..." When I tripped over a cd just lying in the street, ohmigod! it's Satchs new album "Strange Beautiful Music"! So I immediately played it three times on my Car stereo (See Note below) on the way to work.

I don't want to give anything away, so the tracks shall remain nameless. But I know many of you are dying for more info so I'll share some "Emotional Responses" I noted during my third time through the album.

I'm also not a guitar-head, so excuse me if I don't know that was a mixalydian fifth semi-demi-more or less flattened octave.

Track Review
Track 1 3:56 The Opening track sets the feel of the album, a slower rock piece with a distinctively egyptian/asian feel. Good rocking solo in the middle.
Track 2 5:02 Very interesting sort of an Arabian/Rock mix, with a little industrial dropped in. Seems to visit a lot of places but stays together through using a similar signature feel throughout. Until you reach the outro, then you can fell Satch and the guys having fun bringing it home.
Track 3 4:00 This is another of those amazing trademark Satch ballads. Fantastic feel and flow. Nothing more to say, just shutup and listen to that guitar sing.
Track 4 4:15 Oh MAN! This is awesome, It just hit me with almost a Jethro-Tull-esque Quality. My initial favourite on the album, my car stereo has not got sick of this yet.
Track 5 4:15 HA! So well named, this is my head after too much guarana! Nice solid piece with good interest and strong beat
Track 6 2:45 LA BAMBA! Instantly transported me there. Back to another time and place. Such a beautiful piece
Track 7 4:20 The track title instantly grabbed me and I couldn't wait to get to it. Once it started it lived up to expectations. You can see the smile on Joe's face playing this.
Track 8 3:31 I'm interested in knowing why this song got this title, obviously something in the way Joe feels about it. I found it interesting, but it hasn't really grown on me yet.
Track 9 5:22 Sort of a ballad, but with a VERY different feel in parts, I think this is more of a story. Strikes me as an emotional journey. I guess it's some expression of growth, or maturity. Nice to listen to.
Track 10 4:02 Wasn't sure what to expect from the title. And I was right, I'm not sure about the song! It uses some strange mode or key or something, a little over me, probably need some time to "acclimatize" :)
Track 11 4:10 Nice boppy melody, raises images of fun as a child on a grass covered hill in summer. Very light and airy, with a smooth guitar play to rock on with.
Track 12 4:09 Again, more a ballad track, this time with an upbeat feel.
Track 13 4:49 Feels a little like "My World", nice melody line. Love that wah. So much soul.
Track 14 5:03 Another Ballad, very nice listening, good beat to catch your mind. And again Satch has provided some fantastic melody lines.

Overall Review

Well. I would rate this actually more as a "background" music cd. Not because it's lacking, the music has great interest, but the qualities of the tracks lend themselves to either intent listening at great volume, or can easily be left at lower volume for background fill music.

The style of the cd is definitely more laid back with only 2 tracks really more heavy rock, the rest are an eclectic mix of ballads and light rock mixed with the occasional non-mainstream modes. In true Satch style.

Although it has a signature Satch feel (it feels like "The Beautiful Guitar", but with new material) has again managed to create a different CD that fits well into the Satch discography. A certain MUST BUY for not only the Satch fanatic, but anyone who appreciates great music.

I think some of the harder rock fans may not see this is a great cd, but I think it rates highly for me.

Note on the Car Stereo, just so you don't think I killed his beautiful music on inferior listening equipment.

The stereo consists of the top-of the line Nakamichi CD700 head unit, Rockford Amps (800 and 200 Watts RMS, with the sound delivered through Focal Utopia three-ways and a 13" Focal Utopia sub.

Track Review
Track 1	3:56	The Opening track sets the feel of the album, a slower rock piece with a distinctively egyptian/asian feel. Good rocking solo in the middle.
Track 2	5:02	Very interesting sort of an Arabian/Rock mix, with a little industrial dropped in. Seems to visit a lot of places but stays together through using a similar signature feel throughout. Until you reach the outro, then you can fell Satch and the guys having fun bringing it home.
Track 3	4:00	This is another of those amazing trademark Satch ballads. Fantastic feel and flow. Nothing more to say, just shutup and listen to that guitar sing.
Track 4	4:15	Oh MAN! This is awesome, It just hit me with almost a Jethro-Tull-esque Quality. My initial favourite on the album, my car stereo has not got sick of this yet.
Track 5	4:15	HA! So well named, this is my head after too much guarana! Nice solid piece with good interest and strong beat
Track 6	2:45	LA BAMBA! Instantly transported me there. Back to another time and place. Such a beautiful piece
Track 7	4:20	The track title instantly grabbed me and I couldn't wait to get to it. Once it started it lived up to expectations. You can see the smile on Joe's face playing this.
Track 8	3:31	I'm interested in knowing why this song got this title, obviously something in the way Joe feels about it. I found it interesting, but it hasn't really grown on me yet.
Track 9	5:22	Sort of a ballad, but with a VERY different feel in parts, I think this is more of a story. Strikes me as an emotional journey. I guess it's some expression of growth, or maturity. Nice to listen to.
Track 10	4:02	Wasn't sure what to expect from the title. And I was right, I'm not sure about the song! It uses some strange mode or key or something, a little over me, probably need some time to "acclimatize" :)
Track 11	4:10	Nice boppy melody, raises images of fun as a child on a grass covered hill in summer. Very light and airy, with a smooth guitar play to rock on with.
Track 12	4:09	Again, more a ballad track, this time with an upbeat feel.
Track 13	4:49	Feels a little like "My World", nice melody line. Love that wah. So much soul.
Track 14	5:03	Another Ballad, very nice listening, good beat to catch your mind. And again Satch has provided some fantastic melody lines.