Into Techno? You’Ll Like ‘Engines’

Mon., April 10, 2000

Brian Thorpe Ferris

Who are the most talented players ever to pick up a six-string? My list would include Andres Segovia, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Satriani.

Satriani’s spider-like fingers popularized all-instrumental rock in the ‘80s and taught budding guitar deities Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Larry LaLonde of Primus.

Satch is back playing a new tune on his seventh solo album, “Engines of Creation.”

With “Engines,” Satriani has taken a radically different approach to his traditional all-instrumental fare. Listeners used to blazing anthems like “Summer Song” will be shocked to discover Satriani has replaced his backing band with a sacrilegious, all-electronic line-up. As a result, most of the tracks contain a concoction of jackhammer-like beats and overly-muted guitars combined with electronic mish-mash.

Though Satriani somehow manages to pull off the strange combination without creating a complete train wreck, most of the songs are too pure electronica for me.

However, “Engines” also meets its quota for Satriani’s trademark stream-lined guitar solos as well as a handful of slow ballads.

Die-hard guitar aficionados will probably prefer Satriani’s older material, such as “TimeMachine,” but techno fans might consider giving this album a whirl.

Grade: B-

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