Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock

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3 out of 5 stars

Push Harder Joe! April 3, 2008
38 out of 48 found this review helpful

Let me start off by saying I've been a fan of Joe's music since Surfing with the Alien, and he turned me onto the whole burgeoning genre of instrumental rock, my exploration of which continues to this day through Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Liquid Tension Experiment, Bozzio,Levin,Stevens, Greg Howe, and too many others to mention. I have all of his discs, and I always look forward to his new releases with great anticipation. I have seen him live on three different occasions. So my review is a comparison of this release to his other works as well as to those other artists I mentioned.

This release starts off with the great melodies we all love Joe for, and the monotonous rhythm tracks we always pray will magically disappear. It's a mixed blessing. One of my favorite Joe CDs is his self-titled effort, with a group of hard-core musicians who helped push him along through the tracks and provide counterweight to his huge sound. I much prefer seeing him live because the rhythm section gets to live it up a little and provide some meaty fills.

Track one pushes little new ground to me, and I was just settling in to be disappointed when the Spanish-style guitar intro of Andalusia came sparkling through my headphones. I stopped what I was doing just to listen to him through this new 'voice'. No distortion, wah-pedal, or whammy bar. It's really great. Of course that's just the intro, and it segues nicely into an electric section which continues on the same theme. Overdriver has more of a heavy feel to it, using sheets of sound interlaced with delicate fret explorations to good effect.

Then we get to I Just Wanna Rock. Ok, let me say this: I put up with Crowd Chant on Super Colossal, realizing it's potential for the tour set, even though it's really lame to have blasting out your car stereo as you roll down the street. As a rule I skipped this one. Now we have another track whose sole purpose is to toss into live shows to keep us entertained with crowd feedback vocals. As soon as I got to the chorus, I hit skip, onto the next track. I hope I never have to listen to that one all the way through. It seems really sophomoric for this point in an artists illustrious career to have these on every release. Joe, we love you for the musical journey you take us on. We could care less if we get to sing back to you. Or if you sing. Ok, I'm done ranting about that.
Professor Satchafunklius is ok, has a nice groove, but doesn't really make you want to leave your seat and shake it like FUNK does. Revelation is nice, but doesn't push too many boundaries as far as sound or pyrotechnnics. It doesn't challenge the listener. Yes, that's what I'm looking for, a challenge, something unusual in tempo or sound. I know Joe can compose songs like this until the cows come home, but after a while they start to blend together until you find you're not paying attention.

Come On Baby is Joe's love song for this release. I always appreciate these soulful downtempo numbers, not only in and of themselves, because they show that he has an ability to wring emotion of a few select notes as well as rip off four bars of 128th notes. I like the layering of guitars in this one, and the fact that there's a good deal of space in the mix.

Out of the Sunrise goes back to uptempo, with some piano in the intro. This would be a great driving song, a la Summer Song. It has an interesting, quasi-Reggae break a little past the halfway mark where he stretches out a little.

Diddle-Y-A-Doo Dates rolls along nicely. It has a touch of organ to it and an almost-funky bassline. Would be better if the bass was more gritty and further forward in the mix. I wonder who is in charge of the mix these days, speaking of that. Just a thought. And throw the organist a bone and let him have a break too, Joe!

Asik Vaysel is different. This is more what I'm talking about as far a variety and letting the rhythm section out of the box. Easily the best track here energy-wise. I'm smiling.

Overall I give this release three stars, not because it's overtly bad, but because it does not meet my expectations. I would love to see what Joe would do if locked up in the studio for a month with Dennis Chambers and Tony Levin, or Terry Bozzio and Victor Wooten, or Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan or Mike Mangini and Gary Willis...

4 out of 5 stars

It is what it says it is April 1, 2008
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

Interestingly this is my first ever album review that I've done, and certainly the first on amazon; what can I say this is a Satch album after all ;)

As fair warning, I haven't heard the album extensively, so these are purely first impressions, but I'm going to make them as detailed as possible. I initially thought of avoiding the song by song analysis, but ended up going with it anyway. I'll try and offer a cohesive perspective on the album as a whole.

Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock

The album starts off with an ominous dark vibe as "Musterion" kicks off. To draw a comparison, it reminded me sort of the song "Belly Dancer" or "Oriental Melody" from the SBM album. There are definitely some interesting moments in the song, Satch's playing is quite twisted The song retains a format similar to most of Satch's "standard" more rock oriented songs - all in all an interesting album opener.

"Overdrive" continues almost where "Musterion" left off - however, it gives the listener the feeling of really settling into the album. Heavy rock-solid guitar arrangements over a pretty basic drum and bass groove. However the layering of guitar sounds really thickens up the mix, and Satch is playing those memorable hooks and big sounding chords! This is the first kind of "take notice" stereotypical Satch solo. A very pronounced minor tonality and some really nice melodies. A pretty guitar heavy and dramatic closure to the song leading straight into...

"I Just Wanna Rock" - whether a reference to the old Twisted Sister song, I don't know, but it is what it says it is. This is very similar to "Crowd Chant" off Super Colossal. Straight up bare bones rocker, which is spiced up by Satch using a Talk-Box - this is definitely going to be one for the audience.

And this is where things get real hip ~ from ZZ's dissonant tenor lines which segue into "Professor Satchafunkilus". It's all about the funk! Satch's layered melodic guitar lines pretty much tell the listener to get off the seat and move one's posterior on the downbeat. Very hip and funky, funkier than "The Snake" off his first album or "Cool#9". This is a real funky tune which I have no doubt Satch is going to use to build off to an Satchanormous jam when he plays it live! Some real sneaky and hip soloing going on there too and the song drops out to ZZ repeating his melodies - works just brilliantly.

and "Revelation". We could have done without this one. Nothing new here at all. Satch doing some soulful soloing over what sounds like a backing track. Without letting my feelings for Satch as one hip dude coming into the way, it's a pretty boring track. Nothing new here, though to its credit the song ends with some really nice soloing from Satch and picks up in intensity. But overall, disappointing given its name, anything but a revelation.

"Come on Baby" is the trademark love song that is there in every Satch album. Again, it is what is says it is. It has been done before, but there's some inventive and nice soloing in there, and the main melody is really nice almost 60ish hippie sounding.

"Out of the Sunrise" is yet again something that I personally could've done without on the album. It's pretty much like a nondescript 80s sounding track with Satch soloing on top of it, probably the lowest point of the album. Its only saving grace is when Satch breaks off into the solo halfway into the song, but it still ends with the hateful cheesy melody lines.

Thankfully Satch keeps it real by breaking into "Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat" with a real prog sounding intro in odd time with harmonized guitar lines which quickly segues into a down and dirty drum and bass groove. There's almost a nod to the Jeff Beck group in the way Satch explores the melodies. The shortest song in the album, it almost brings the listener back on track to let us know Satch means business. What's really unique about this song is the presence of a dirty organ arrangement - something that I've never in the past 6 years of listening to Satriani, ever really heard!

And we're down to the last two songs on the album. Middle eastern percussions and an open stringed melody line lead into "Asik Vaysel" which is in my opinion the album's highlight. This is pure quintessential Satch doing his thing. The mystical intro leads into a straight up shred fest as only Satch can do it. Reminiscent of a live version of "Circles" in terms of song structure, but similar to "Surfing with the Alien" or "Flying in a Blue Dream" in terms of energy. Insane soloing and some great melodies and grooves.

"Andulasia" starts off in a similar manner, stripped down acoustic melodies interweaving through each other with some beautiful acoustic soloing before we get hit with this wall of transcendental guitar noise as the band kicks into full flow. Satch takes over the proceedings and blows you away like only he can. Great way to wrap up the album, you gotta listen to it to feel the energy and the vibe.

So that's about it for first impressions on the album. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 rating. The songs which stand out, definitely grab the listener and gets 'em involved into Satch's playing. However I could have done without the fillers in the album. It's not like they are bad songs, but Satch being Satch makes us have rather groovy expectations. However this album has great potential for repeat listens and though Satriani doesn't necessarily break new ground, he does his thing with panache and style. I had secretly hoped for Dave LaRue to be playing bass on the album rather than Matt Bissionette - I do NOT dig his bass playing, and Dave La Rue works incredibly well with Satch. So I was disappointed that Satch enlisted Matt Bissionette still. Therefore even though you have a drum powerhouse like Jeff Campitelli slamming the skins, the energy from the band is not at its optimum. However that said, I'm sure when they play live, the situation would be rectified. This is not Satch's best album, but it's ultimately pure Satch, so it by default makes it something worth getting your hands on.

Professor Satchafunkilus has entered the building

4 out of 5 stars

Six Great Songs and One Awesome Question: What Is Your Purpose? May 30, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Going through others reviews I can see the mixed feelings. I, too, am a devoted fan of the man who redefined instrumental rock forever. I found 6 excellent tracks in this new album, although none matches the greatest of his past songs. But for these 6 songs (the first 4 and the last 2) it is well worth listening to Satchafunkilus every day.

Music is all a matter of feeling really. If a song speaks to your guts, then you can't explain it, it just rocks your world and you love it. Too many reviewers are trying to rationalize why this CD is good but not great for their taste. Stop your erudition guys. If Joe wants to make the guitar the dominant instrument, then so be it. With all due respect, this is why we became a fan in the first place. The same is true if Joe wants to ask his musician to strictly adhere to his composition. I think Joe is a MASTER COMPOSER and you have to respect his musical choice. He earned that much. When Mozart composed a symphony he did not ask his musicians to add their own part to it, and no critique would ever criticize Mozart for being insistent that his musicians respect his music. And yes, I dare to compare Joe to Mozart, regardless of the difference of style and music culture, they both are true to their musical inspiration and have earned our respect.

And so, I am actually disappointed at some of the reviews. If you don't like certain songs that's fine, say so, but spend more time sharing what you like rather than what you don't like and please, please, please, stop telling Joe what he should do, or which musicians he should play with and where he should record his next album. What is your purpose?

As I said in my intro, I found 6 excellent songs on this album. Musterion has a subtle ethereal intro and I find the "voice" of that song very gutsy. The solo is magnificent. Next comes Overdriver, a pure rock song with once again a distinctive "voice" that seems to speak to us, and superb changes in rhythm with underlying echoes. I Just Wanna Rock is almost ACDC-esque. To those who do not want any more crowd song, I object vigorously: I love this song - thank you Joe. It starts with a very apropos question: What is your Purpose? And I ask myself that every day. The answer can be as simple as I Just Wanna Rock. No need to make it too complicated. Perhaps life has no purpose but to simply be. I agree with one other review out there, the solo on this song is outstanding and ferocious. Then comes Professor Satchafunkilus, the most difficult song to appreciate on this album. It defies the traditional Satch's song with intro-rhythm-voice-solos-chorus etc. The song seems to go on smoothly at its own pace without solo and major crescendo, yet it will seduce you if you continue to let your soul transported by the many layers of the guitars. Listen to it with a headphone and you will see what I mean. It is as if many voices are screaming their little part from every direction. It is an AWESOME song. I do not care for the next 4 songs, and I skip straight to Asik Veysel, which is a sort of balad similar in creative foundation to Searching from the album Is There Love Into Space. I like the journey the song inspires and the beautiful extended solo. The more I listen to the song the more I am getting impatient to see it live. Finally, Andalusia. This one also requires many listen. It has a force that I can't fathom. It is like a group of three tenors in an opera taking turn for their part. Mesmerizing!

Satchafunkilus overall is better than Super Colossal and just below Is There Love Into Space. My favorite albums remain Strange Beautiful Music, Engines, Blue Dream and Crystal Planet. Joe has so much in his repertoire it is becoming totally IMPRESSIVE.

What-is-your-purpose?
Listen and enjoy.

4 out of 5 stars

Yet Another Work Of Art From The Master April 11, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Joe Satriani has been a hero of mine since I heard "Surfing With The Alien" and was simply blown away....I had no idea you could play like that. Joe was pretty much my hero growing up and learning to play guitar, much like Hendrix was his inspiration. I have subsequently picked up everything the man has released, and have never been disappointed.

This album displays all of the elements of his unique style, including his virtuoso soloing and complexity ("Musterion" and "Overdriver"), melodic ballads ("Come On Baby" and "Out Of The Sunrise"), and his trademark soaring melodicism ("Revelation"). Although Joe might never go as "over-the-top" as he used to in the eighties, he remains a superbly talented musician and incredible player who singehandedly popularized instrumental rock music and inspired millions of players (inlcuding myself). After all these years, the man still tears it up and creates amazing and beautiful music that doesn't sound like anyone else. Recommended!

4 out of 5 stars

Get the iTunes version - bonus track is killer April 1, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Hey, just wanted to give everyone heads up. The iTunes version contains one extra track called "Ghosts" and it's by far the most interesting thing i heard Satch do recently. I'm actually baffled as to why that song is not in the "official" tracklisting. The vide is reminiscent of "Dweller on the Treshold" with some really twisted melodies and sounds. Overall, first listen, this is a very good album with "Musterion", "Asik Vaysel" and "Andalusia" being the standout tracks. "Out of the Sunrise" has a cool 80's vibe.

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