The Elephants of Mars

The biggest criticisms that you usually hear about Joe Satriani is (a) his playing is technically brilliant but lacks feeling and (b) that much of his material sounds the same. I don't think you can level those charges successfully against The Elephants Of Mars. Throughout this, his nineteenth studio album, Satch plays with fire, bucket loads of expression and with a flair for melody that places this album several storeys above anything he has released in, well, maybe the entire 21st Century. Some tracks are spacey soundscapes, some beautifully, inventively melodic and others a little jazzy. It is consistently interesting, technically awe-inspiring and, most importantly of all, a fantastic listening experience. I quite liked Steve Vai's latest album, Inviolate (2022), but The Elephants Of Mars, for me, knocks it out of the ball park, as Joe really serves the composition brilliantly, rather than simply using it as a vehicle to demonstrate his speed and skill – and I think that is why this record works so well, it feels more complete and varied that many of his other recent releases. There are many occasions in which Satriani shows us just how great he is at playing at breakneck speed, but only if the composition calls for an exciting crescendo to the piece. Quite simply, Joe hasn't made an album this brilliant for a long time, so fans will almost certainly love it.

From the offset you get the distinct impression that Joe is on a mission to blow your mind! I have been a huge fan since I first heard flying in a blue dream back in 1989. I was a market trader at the time, and one of my fellow stall holders sold records and he put the album in my hand and said, you’re going to love this! He was not wrong! I’ve bought every studio Album he’s ever released and over the years there have been ups and downs, but in truth I have never hated a Joe Satriani album. Elephants of Mars feels like he is out to stretch himself and also his audience. It is a firm challenge to pin back your ears and immerse! Don’t listen to this album while you’re doing something else. Take the time to lay back in a comfortable chair and don’t let anything distract you! It is a tour de force, a musical odyssey that demands your full attention so you can really understand the subtleties and atonal qualities that are ultimately so rewarding. It has everything a guitar geek would ever need and Joe has utterly demonstrated his mastery of the guitar as an instrument. I have always had favourite Albums by Joe. FIABD was the first I listened to so will always have a special place. I love Surfing, it ubiquitously awesome for good reason. Is there Love in space, blew my mind, Souls of distortion utterly captivating me. Prof Satch was brilliant, I went to see him on the tour and also met him at the time, Musterion was so cool. Needless to say I am a fan of Joe, but I am genuinely hard pressed to find a better Album than this, the sheer variety of experimentation, beauty and outright face contorting goodness makes this worth your time and money. Don’t hesitate, embrace your inner guitar hero and strap in for a wild ride of soaring and spiritually rewarding musical extravaganza. I really love this Album, it really is Mind-blowing.

Having followed Joe since Surfin' days, seeing him live, and owning all his works this album is a treat.In brief, this has a few important changes to his recent offerings.• Whereas a few of the previous studio albums were experimenting with far simpler and slower feeling riffs, this album EoM sees the return of some blistering musical extravaganzas that sound refreshing.• For the time since Flying we hear a vocal overlay. Still an instrumental track rather than a Big Bad Moon but nonetheless an interesting, and successful addition.• For the first time, to me, the whole composition feels like a complete cohesive project from the whole band. The other instrumentalists seem to have really found their place and voice within a JS label. It neither overpowers Satriani, nor is a mere backing track, and gels with and complements the JS sound. Again, for me, this is the first time it's reached this peak and it's such a good sign for the potential of the future works.• Also for the first time is the inclusion of some improv 'bum notes'. From the master musicians whose staple is perfectionism, this a breath of fresh air. This was always a critism, recall Slash's old criticism, that JS didn't feel his way through enough. So this feels like a new approach here in production or editorially.I would note this a one disc album unlike the track listing suggests.Overall, this is a fresh sounding highly enjoyable and varied offering, that sits easily alongside his very best works. Hopefully we don't need another lockdown to experience another like it.

A good album from Satch. Not his best by any means but solid.

This is one hell of a album, he is a fantastic guitarist. Play it twice it’s worth it then play it again it’s that good .

One of Joes finest pieces of work, a great album in its own right regardless of the instrumental genre, the song writing is fantastic and Joe Satriani shines through as a guitarist as when to play a complex piece but when not to.The album covers a whole host of genres while the tracks still work perfectly together (you could honestly hear this as a film score)If your a Satriani fan buy it, if your a rock fan buy it, if you fancy something different for your commute buy it.

This album is very different to what some may be expecting from Joe but it still has the Satriani trademark tone and guitar wizardry that he's renowned for. The songs take the listener though an amazing sonic listening experience. The influences are wide ranging but the 14 tracks on offer work brilliantly together. The compositional skills are as ever with Joe just genius. Outstanding.

Another great album by Jo. At first I was not so sure, but after jistening again a couple of times,I found that I was really enjoying it. Keep them coming Jo, we do love you.