It’s incredible to think that this, the latest album from guitar wizard Joe Satriani, is his thirteenth release, especially when you realize that his genre is instrumental guitar rock, which hardly ever gets any space on the airwaves. You have to wonder what Satriani has that other guitar players, who have come and gone, didn’t have. In reality it probably all comes down to the fact that Satriani has managed to reach out with his music, not just to just guitarists but also to people who don’t play guitar at all. He has never lost sight of balancing melody and feel with his undeniable wealth of stunt chops (which to guitarists everywhere equates to incredible technique).

So with his new outrageously titled new album has Satriani managed to deliver the goods once more? In a nutshell he sure has and he’s done it in fine style. In fact I’d go as far as saying he has done the rock guitar world proud. I’m giving this album the track by track treatment as I am sure there are many “guitar heads” wondering just what Joe has come up with this time.

“Musterion” opens the album with cool sparse chords reminiscent of the style on “Not Of This Earth” before he picks things up with simple melodies that drift along with a nice edginess to them. It’s not long before Joe launches into one of his trademark slithery, elongated runs interspersed by fluid and outrageous position shifts. It's very much business a usual and a definite statement that he’s back in his office. Always one to surprise Joe throws in some nice alien voice touches as he lets his whammy bar dip so that his strings flop across the fret board.

“Overdriver” sees Satriani bringing back his “lizard down the throat” technique during the opening passages. The song's heart revolves around some cool riffing that feels slightly syncopated and that leaves lots of room for him to stretch out, the highpoint of the song being the glorious main solo that is both mean and dirty with lots of bluesy attitude. The tone could almost be described as angry as he unleashes a barrage of licks that leave you in no doubt that the man is still inspired by his guitar.

“I Just Wanna Rock” does exactly that. The first half is very AC/DC (yes you read that right) as massed vocals chant “I Just Wanna Rock” but the second half is pure unadulterated Satch in full “rip it up mode”. The song's solo is the equivalent of being grabbed by the short and curlies such is the rock and roll vibe, you almost envision Satriani duck-walking across the stage al la Angus or Chuck Berry.

“Professor Satchafunkilus” is the uber cool title track, the music being like nothing you’ve heard from Joe before. It’s mid-tempo and laid back with a funky beat with some of Joe's most outrageous playing ever. As the song progresses you could almost imagine it is Satriani jamming with Parliament or Weather Report with a dash of Donald Fagan in for good measure.

“Revelation” is another chugging mid tempo song that is slightly introspective and has melodies that will have you looking inwards as well as outwards. There are some nice layered guitars and after reading that Joe had been listening in to Neal Schon's sessions for the new Journey album, which were being recorded in the same studio, I couldn’t help feeling that a bit of Schon's influence can be heard here.

“Come On Baby” sees the main man sitting back and playing a slow burn track. It’s wonderfully paced and takes the listener through many ups and downs, the playing is leisurely yet intense and the tone is full but almost transparent as every nuance is felt, you’ll have to hear this one to understand what I’m trying to get across. “Out Of The Sunrise” on the other hand starts out via a simple arrangement of piano and guitar before launching into a style that is reminiscent of The Police at their most energetic. And then there's “Diddle Y-A-Doo-Dat” which will no doubt raise a few smiles as the melody paraphrases those exact words.

“Asik Vaysel”, an exotic title with some very exotic opening playing reminiscent of Satriani during his “Crystal Planet” phase. When the song gets going he does deliver some of his most adrenaline fuelled playing ever, Satriani on steroids if you will and brings to mind the riffing from “Red Shift Riders”, definitely a great improvisation vehicle for the upcoming tour. “Andalusia” is the albums closing track but also one of the most surprising. The first two minutes feature acoustic guitar, a side that hasn’t been heard very often and also a side that I’ll wager many fans will like to hear more of. The final two thirds though see Satriani “going for it” once again in epic fashion as he pulls out many of his most famous trademark techniques. Everything sounds gloriously spontaneous and live as he literally gives it his all. He even ends the album with a nice burst of feedback.

“Professor Satchafunkilus…” in my opinion is  a far better album than his last outing, “Super Colossal”. There is more fire to the playing and more flavours to the music itself. Joe Satriani fans can be sure their hero has delivered an album which shows him to be in a very inspired place which all bodes well for some exciting up and coming live shows. See you all down the front at Newcastle.

Let us know your views on Professor Satchafunkilus And the Musterion Of Rock

Track Listing

Musterion
Overdriver
I Just Wanna Rock
Professor Satchafunkilus
Revelation
Come On Baby
Out Of The Sunrise
Diddle Y A Doo Dat
Asik Vaysel
Andalusia