Customer Reviews

Strange Beautiful Music

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

truly awesome.

his other albums such as the extremist and crystal planet were very 'Satchy,' this one however redifines 'Satchy.' its an album which gets better each time you listen to it, its mature and rises the bar on Satches compositional style. Songs such as Chords of life are superb, the build up is exquisite as is the solo. the album is more thoughtful, it shows Satch as an older, wiser player.

in my opinion, its under priced, this album is truly gorgeous.

This is a great album through and through. His chops are in top form, but more importantly his songwriting skills make a great showing here. There's a smooth dynamic in songs like Chords of Life and The Journey, and he shows great restraint on Mountain Song, which could have just as easily exploded at 2:00 into a shredfest.
Regarding someone's earlier tirade of Satch, the only thing he has in common with wine and cheese is that he improves with age.
If you enjoy instrumental rock in the least, I imagine this CD will not disappoint you.

This is one of the best and most musically mature albums by Satriani. The music is creative, yet driving. It's not just awesome & intricate solos at the right moments, but also nice arrangments of bass, percussion, and harmonies. It has more energy and originality than Engines of Creation (EOC), and is more memorable and varied than Crystal Planet.

If you already like Satriani's previous albums, but aren't sure about his direction because of your impression of EOC, then you won't regret buying this.

I love this CD! It is very melodic, with the tunes taking precedent over shredding. Yet there is much great guitar playing. If you like instrumental rock like I do, you should get this soon.

Who said Joe would run out music? Save that for Metallica and Steve Vai because Strange Beautiful Music will give you a good night's sleep. Joe has painted this album with a lot of rock and soothing melodies. Its one of those albums that stays in shape for infinity. Back with his old bass player Matt, Joe drives this in full speed with blazing solos and at other times slows down like a little stream. Compared to his older albums, this one has a more traditional rock (Sorry, not Led Zeppelin, The Who or some dinosaur kind of rock) feel with a peaceful freshness to it. So if you think he's one of those classic rock wannabe guitarists (like SRV), prove yourself wrong and listen to this album. Highlights are You saved my life, Mindstorm, Starry Night, Oriental Melody, What breaks a heart, Sleepwalk, Mountain song....everything. whew!

Face it you can think of something else to do with that 25 bucks.This album sucks-Satriani hasn't done anything good since surfing with the alien.Buy a movie score, its the same thing.Production A+ guitar playing skill F.

If your lookin for guitar tricks-don't waste your money get Pantera or Steve Morse.This alblum sounds like a movie soundtrack not a guitar shred alblum.
It Sucks!! I bought surfin with the alien-I thought it was great then I blew 100 bucks of hard earned cash on his other stuff and its a total disapointment-OUCH !!! EXPENSIVE JUNK!!

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.

Wow!This cd blows me away. Joe's back to what he does best on this cd. This is his best studio cd since The Extremist from 1992,which is one of my favorites. The guitar playing is top notch from start to finish whether it be a slow song or a fast one. The guitar solos and rythyms are excellent. I've heard many versions from various artist of the song SLEEPWALK,but Joe's is definately the best. This is my favorite cd of 2002 by far.

Out of all the albums, the title "Strange Beautiful Music" really reflects his work on this album. I always enjoy when Joe tries new stuff, like he did with "Engines of Creation". This has a much looser feel like on Live in San Fransisco. I enjoy the looser fell, just because it's the style I play and I enjoy a guitarist with soal, not one who has to be 100% precise. A must buy for fans and guitar lovers alike. Great songwritng can be found here. Greatest songwriting since Crystal Planet.