Search - Joe Satriani :: Crystal Planet

Elliot S. (Nicksdad) from HILLSBORO, OR
Reviewed on 3/14/2009...

Just heard this CD for the first time recently. I truly enjoyed it and understand why Satch is so popular. He continues to stretch his musical ability, and this is as good as anything he has released. 5 stars!!!!

We have reached the end of what guitar can do. Go home.

bluesoul88 | Wickliffe, KY USA | 07/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing G3 on DVD, I chose Satriani over Johnson and Vai to study guitar method(Johnson is too mellow, but knows thousands of chords. Vai's just too goofy.). I bought Crystal Planet as my first Satch album, and I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED. "Up In The Sky" Delivers sleek harmonics and a mind-blowing solo. "House Full Of Bullets" gives you a nice, bass-heavy blues piece.My favorite song, of all time, hands down, no contest, is "Crystal Planet". If, for some reason, I want to stop playing guitar, this song will keep me right where I belong. If you're lucky, and live in a big city like Miami, do this: Wait till midnight, and go downtown. Put the top down. Crank "Crystal Planet". People will offer to buy the cd from you. Anywho, back to reviewing. If you play guitar, play "Love Thing" for your girl (or guy, ladies). The song brought tears to my eyes. The CD stays strong. "Raspberry Jam" could've been improved. "Lights of Heaven" is timeless, as is "Ceremony". "Secret Prayer" kicks serious ass. Things mellow out at the end with "Z.Z.'s Song", with just Joe and a very nice chorus pedal. All in all, Crystal Planet is his best to date, better even than Strange Beautiful Music, though SBM is a close second."

News flash: Joe Satriani Not From Earth!

Alric Knebel | Biloxi, MS | 12/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Crystal Planet" is not just the title for this album; it defines Satriani's homeland, and as intergalactic emissary, this is a gift from the race of superior alien musicians he personifies. I can not praise this album enough.



"Crystal Planet" came to my attention last summer while visiting my brother. My brother plays guitar, so an essential ingredient to any real music for him is a strong guitar player. As he drove me to various places in New Orleans, he had "Crystal Planet" playing in his car. I got rushes listening to Satriani speaking a new language with his fingers. I had to have this album, though I had never before in my life responded to an album dominated by a modern virtuoso guitar player. On the way home, I bought this CD and I've heard it too many times to count. What is so exciting is, this is my first Satriani CD, so unlike his previous fans who've been buying his albums as he produces them and currently find themselves stranded and hungry for a new release, I've got a lot of catching up to do. And what fun that's going to be. My goal is to own all of his CDs by next summer. I've already taken the first step, having acquired "Joe Satriani"(1995), which I also give five stars. Oh, the pleasures to come!



"Crystal Planet": There is literally nothing like it on earth. And if you're thinking that only a guitar player can enjoy an album like this, which is void of lyrics, sung or spoken, think again: I myself am not a guitar player, and I've enjoyed this album emensely. It's an initiation for me into a whole new world of music. Though I acknowledge the genius of Jimi Hendrix, not being a guitar player myself, I found that most of what Hendrix recorded was not enjoyable to simply listen to. Contrarily, every song on "Crystal Planet" is at least good, while most of them are great, and some even entice you to believe you've conferred with an alien, making it difficult to resume normal life among mere terrestrials.



Buy this CD, put it in your player, ensconce yourself into the sweet seat in whatever room you do your listening, and let it fly. Accept Satriani's invitation to ride with him via the blisteringly fast and needle sleek leads of the opening track, "Up in the Sky." Keep in mind that this is just the start of a trip into an aural black hole from which you will not want to escape. One of my favorite songs for a pure sonic rush is "A Train of Angels": Like for most of his music, the title somehow says it all. By the time the final track, "Z. Z.'s Song," comes around, you take from the melody a satiated melancholy: It's time to go, now. You know what you have to do. Spread the gospel: "Crystal Planet" is an awesome accomplishment, and it's your mission to share the gift."