JOE SATRIANI: Shockwave Supernova (GUITAR HERO): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Judging by his last years of activity, Joe Satriani seems to be starting a second youth with two solo albums of very good level and two releases of the super-group Chickenfoot. The last two albums to date confirmed the revival of Satch with the arrival of the phenomenon Mike Keneally and a very high level drum thanks to the help of the brilliant Vinnie Colaiuta. Surfing on the current good wave, Satriani comes back with a fifteenth album still inspired.

"Shockwave Supernova" is first of all the name of a character created by Satriani to embody his double, a sort of imaginary alter-ego that helped him to surpass himself and transform himself, and whose eponymous album is the testimony. The cathartic elements of this concept can be found in the arrangement and titles of the compositions. Musically, Satch seeks spontaneity and authenticity by cultivating the spirit of his early work ('A Phase I'm Going Through', 'Lost In A Memory', 'Scarborough Stomp') and by favouring vintage style ('On Peregrine Wings', 'If There Is No Heaven').

The American also breaks the shackles of stifling virtuosity by airing his playing thanks to more direct phrasing and a subtle touch, as comfortable in the natural as in the subdued ('Butterfly And Zebra' or 'All Of My Life'). At the same time, Satriani gives more importance to the sound environment that surrounds the guitar score, trimming its vital space to let the other instruments express themselves. "Shockwave Supernova" is generous in the arrangements (strings, keyboards, Rhodes, harpsichord, piano and acoustic guitar), the subtilities of all kinds (the harmonica in 'In My Pocket') and the filters for the acoustics of the instruments (the sustain in 'Butterfly And Zebra').

The Aristocrats' super rhythm section provides a metric that has never been as diverse or as prominent as on this record. The measures are approached in heterogeneous swing and groove cadences that bring a breath of fresh air to the tracks. Echoing this rhythmic festival, "Shockwave Supernova" is an anthology of melodic and stylistic variety. Alongside the usual spatiality ('Goodbye Supernova', 'If There Is No Heaven'), there are many radiant blues atmospheres ('Keep On Movin', 'San Francisco Blue', 'Crazy Joey', 'All Of My Life') and some exotic ('Shockwave Supernova', 'On Peregrine Wings', 'Cataclysmic') or funky ('In My Pocket') inspirations.

"Shockwave Supernova" is an album that is difficult to pin down because of its duration and disparity but also destabilizing with its innovative structure. Satriani manages to make the richness of the arrangements with a light guitar that distils sensitivity with finesse. Artisan of this success, the band gives life to this luminous and animated "Shockwave Supernova" with an obvious complicity consolidated during the "Unstoppable Momentum" tour. This new chapter of the guitarist's career is the demonstration that, far from resting on his laurels, Joe Satriani is still in search of evolution, thirty years after his debut. - Official website

JOE SATRIANI

SHOCKWAVE SUPERNOVA

AUTRE LABEL

GUITAR HERO