Still weird, still great

When he released his debut album, Not Of This Earth in 1986, Joe Satriani somewhat hinted at the extraterrestrial weirdness of his work. His styles have changed over the years; and while his tunes are still rooted in blues progressions, he has always found a way to surprise his fans. For those unfamiliar with Satriani, the album title is a key indicator of what to expect: something different.

From the creepy, upbeat opening song “Musterion” to the slow, acoustic ending track “Andalusia,” Joe Satriani’s new album titled Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock keeps the tradition of showcasing his widely different styles.

Like all of his previous work, most of the songs don’t have lyrics, and when they do, they are usually just one phrase repeated over and over (e.g., “I Just Wanna Rock”). For most artists, the absence of lyrics would get extremely annoying, but Satriani arranges his songs so well that the guitar works as the singer. In fact, the lack of lyrics forces and encourages listeners to listen to the song more closely and to imagine their own lyrics.

Arguably one of the most talented guitarists alive, his broad range of skills creates different moods in each song, and his subtle techniques help you get an idea of what he might be trying to say. The use of the talk-box in “I Just Wanna Rock” is a perfect ode to the ’70s, and any fan of Peter Frampton will enjoy it. In what one would guess to be considered the title track, the very fun “Professor Satchafunkilus,” will remind lots of listeners of George Clinton and his Parliament/Funkadelic years.

Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock is another great showcase of the talents of Satriani, and while it may not be as visionary as his last effort for Super Colossal (for which he was nominated for a Grammy), it’s another excellent listen for his fans and a fine stepping stone for new listeners.