Joe Satriani (©1997 Sony, ©1995 Relativity)

1: Cool #9 2: If 3: Down, Down, Down 4: Luminous Flesh Giants 5: S.M.F 6: Look My Way 7: Home 8: Moroccan Sunset 9: Killer Bee Bop 10: Slow Down Blues 11: (You're) My World 12: Sittin' 'Round

This self titled effort was produced by the legendary Glyn Johns and features some of the best musicians on the planet. Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, Nathan East on bass, and Manu Katche on drums. Joe’s playing is more honest and raw than in the past. There are still the little noodly flourishes here and there, but for the most part what you get is unadorned guitar, and lots of it.

There are times Joe’s soloing style seems out of phase with the music, but it’s his style. What I really liked was the fact that on some songs there are hints of what Joe would sound like playing a more clean lead, without so much distortion. I’m drooling at the thought.

Which doesn’t mean I’m trashing this one at all. Oh no, perish the thought. I’m a big fan of Joe’s playing and I am in awe of the things he’s able to pull out of his musical bag of tricks. He thinks out his solos and doesn’t just throw around notes for the hell of it. There’s a rhythm and pattern in what he does.

There rewards to the listener are many. This is one really cookin’ album.

Even Joe’s vocal track "Look My Way" is fun in a cheesy way, and it was supposed to be cheesy I’m sure.

Snoopy hit it on the head baby, “Joe Cool.”

Reviewed September 9, 2003

Crystal Planet (©1998 Epic)

The Songs: Up In The Sky / House Full Of Bullets / Crystal Planet / Love Thing / Trundrumbalind / Lights Of Heaven / Raspberry Jam Delta-V / Ceremony / With Jupiter In Mind / Secret Prayer / A Train Of Angels / Psycho Monkey / Time / Z.Z.'s Song

Crystal Planet is another good addition to a Joe's fine series of guitar rock albums. Pretty much everyone knows that the guy can play - thankfully this album isn't one long protracted note-shredding exercise in artistic hubris aimed at impressing those who can play the guitar, but not play as well as Joe. One can only say, "Wow" so many times, before it's too much.

Joe isn't breaking any new ground here; if you've heard Surfing With The Alien this is just more of the same, and that's not a bad thing. No one does the rock instrumental thing better than Joe.

Reviewed June 24, 2000

Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock (©2008)

1. Musterion 2. Overdriver 3. I Just Wanna Rock 4. Professor Satchafunkilus 5. Revelation 6. Come On Baby 7. Out of The Sunrise 8. Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat 9. Asik Vaysel 10. Andalusia

I've had a soft spot for Joe's work for 20 years. Joe is like one of those bad drugs where the first high can never be duplicated, but I keep coming back hoping to experience the rush of excitement that I remember so fondly. I'm not saying that Joe's coasting, or resting on his laurels. It's just that Joe's ability to be amazing has ceased to be amazing. In fact, on his latest fret fest he is as tasty as ever, and there are some beautiful pieces of music throughout the album, and in truth there are quite a few: "Come on Baby", "Out of the Sunrise" are a couple of my favourites. Of course there is the occasional misstep: "I Just Wanna Rock" must be an inside joke, but it just doesn't work for me at all. The title track is a mouthful, and is another one of those duds that kind of caught me off guard.

The blessing and the curse is that Protruding Snuffaluffagus and Monsters of Racket is another Joe Satriani album.

Reviewed April 8, 2008