With a career going all the way back to the mid '80s and now 15 solo records in, legendary guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani takes a step back to more structured and 'tuneful' instrumental songs on this latest release, Shockwave Supernova. Over the last decade or so, Satriani has experimented with various sounds, textures, improvisations, and studio layering to create music that is generally always impressive, though not necessarily memorable in the way that his earlier material was constructed. With Shockwave Supernova, it's once again all about the songs and the melodies, much like what we heard on Surfing With the Alien and Time Machine, as his monstrous lines not only shred, but also tell a story and take the place of what would normally be vocals. Honestly, Satch is at his best when his guitar soars and sings, and there's plenty of that here.
"Lost in a Memory" is a great example of this, as instantly memorable guitar harmonies just tug at your very soul, with the complex rhythms from bassist Bryan Beller & drummer Marco Minnemann keeping things all tied together and allowing for the guitarist to take some amazing flights to the heavens. The title track and "Crazy Joey" are both majestic, hard rock tunes, featuring great, catchy riffs and blazing lead guitar work, while the presence of some bluesier fare, such as "In My Pocket" and "San Francisco Blue" offer another side to this well rounded player. Fear not shred fans, as there are plenty of raucous guitar mayhem to be found on Shockwave Supernova, like the metallic "On Peregrine Wings", the heady wah-wah driven "Cataclysmic", the addictive funk metal of "A Phase I'm Going Through", and the soaring anthem "Sacarborough Stomp". For a gentler side to Satriani's personality, dial into "Stars Race Across the Sky", "All of My Life", and "Butterfly and Zebra", gorgeous tunes that showcase Joe's penchant for delivering yearning melodies packed with emotion.
Ultimately, Shockwave Supernova has a little something for everyone, as Satriani once again proves he doesn't need to wow his audience with technique to deliver his musical message. This is a varied, well rounded effort from one of the most important guitar voices of the last three decades.
Track Listing
1. Shockwave Supernova
2. Lost in a Memory
3. Crazy Joey
4. In My Pocket
5. On Peregrine Wings
6. Cataclysmic
7. San Francisco Blue
8. Keep on Movin'
9. All of My Life
10. A Phase I'm Going Through
11. Scarborough Stomp
12. Butterfly and Zebra
13. If There Is No Heaven
14. Stars Race Across the Sky
15. Goodbye Supernova
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