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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Within an extensive discography like that of a Guitar hero who produces almost exclusively instrumental albums, the pieces that comprise it seem (and often objectively are) all flat, all at the same level, all identical and without the slightest touch of class that makes a difference. So, once you get past the beginnings, the more or less significant debuts, and the creative peaks, it really is like that, so why review this album? Why "Crystal Planet"?
The answer is simple: I like it, and as I mentioned before, within an extensive discography (which I didn't fail to plough through entirely), this, along with only two others (and a few sporadic songs), is the only one I feel like listening to in its entirety from start to finish and finding it in its own way pleasing and intriguing.
Why, I wouldn't know, it's something that perhaps concerns my personal taste, but truthfully I believe that, even rationally speaking, this album is not bad at all. Very pompous in its execution, no doubt about it, otherwise it couldn't respect the Satriani/Guitar-heroic tradition: long songs, full of variations and almost endless guitar solos, and a lot, a lot of melody seasoned with the strangest guitar effects, extremely rich arrangements and nothing left to chance.
In some respects, it remains a niche album for a few admirers, but it's not rare for me to have seen many people, even if not necessarily guitarists or lovers of hyper-technicality, appreciate the aforementioned songs. In conclusion, let's say it's the classic Satriani album, for better or worse, but along with "Surfing With The Alien" and the recent "Is There Love In Space?" for me, it remains one of the most enjoyable without getting bored with the usual technical-virtuoso-guitar exploits.
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Summary by Bot
This review praises Joe Satriani's Crystal Planet as a standout instrumental guitar album within his extensive discography. It highlights the album's rich melodies, technical guitar solos, and strong arrangements. Though it stays true to the typical guitar-hero style, it remains enjoyable and accessible beyond niche audiences. The reviewer personally finds it one of the few Satriani albums worth listening to completely.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani is an American guitarist best known for instrumental rock albums and for being cited in these reviews as a key “guitar hero” figure. Reviewers emphasize his melodic approach, signature touch, and technique (notably legato and tapping), and describe him as an influential teacher to players including Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, and Larry LaLonde.15 Reviews
