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Is There Love in Space?

Joe Satriani - Is There Love in Space? Audio CD

A fair review of the Joe Satriani "Is There Love in Space?" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Joe Satriani reviews here, or go back to the Joe Satriani tabs.

Band: Joe Satriani
Title: Is There Love in Space?
Rating:

Release Date: 2004-04-13
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Gnaahh 2: Up in Flames 3: Hands in the Air 4: Lifestyle 5: Is There Love in Space? 6: If I Could Fly 7: Souls of Distortion 8: Just Look Up 9: I Like the Rain 10: Searching 11: Bamboo

joe satriani, the maestro of rock guitar
very good cd, im glad to own it. this was one of my favorites of joe.

Return to form
After years of remaining relatively silent, Satch comes back at full force with an eclectic masterpiece which can thrill any fan and satisfy almost any music lover. Joe Satriani, guitar virtuoso, returns to form for would could be his best album yet. Is There Love in Space? rivals anything Satriani has released yet, even the instrumental rock monster, Surfing with the Alien. Tasteful phrasing, catchy melodies, blazing fast solos, and inspirational jams; all these and more await the listener. You may be asking; What makes this album so much different or better than anything else he released? Diversity. This album has enough diversity to wet any appetite. The songs range from slow and melodic to charging and catchy to progressive and almost alien. What makes it especially great is that it doesn't resemble any of his past efforts, except for in quality, when compared to his early releases. "Gnaahh", starts the album on a rather obsqure note. A grooving track but throws too far back to a seventies disco feel. The song quickly shifts into a slow flowing groove, but stays interesting by the addition of few more guitars, adding small but noticeable nuances. After a quick repeat of the previous sections the song thrusts into overdrive; Satch employs his familiar legato technique in a brief display of technical prowess, never ceasing to be tasteful or compliment the song. Further on down the line, a surprise awaits the listener. On the hard rocking "Life Style", Satch once again takes up the mic and shows us all that he can still sing. To be honest, Satriani is not the best singer, but his voice fits the piece, and provides the new listener with something familiar and likely to please. On an album as great as this, I don't like to say that some songs are better than others, but I do have a few personal favorites. "Is There Love in Space" actually resembles what I find to be the feeling of floating through space. You start with a slow ascension from Earth supported by Satch's well placed synchronization of slowly plucked, reverb soaked arpeggios with a Jeff Campitelli's simplistic, yet entirely supportive drum work. Satch achieves the perfect blend of minor tonality and model lead playing to provide a relaxed feel and sustains a flowing and supportive atmosphere which surrounds the whole track. This is piece of impressionism that would impress even Ravel. The change to the next track, "If I Could Fly", happens slowly and deliberately, like a second part of the journey but with an entirely different sound and feel. "If I Could Fly" is a acoustic based track packed with forward momentum and memorable melodies. The song starts off with only drums and an acoustic guitar, which is quite the change for Satriani; but before the listener can start to doubt the piece, Satriani slides in with his warm and inviting guitar tone. Satch takes charge, playing almost a step ahead of the rhythm section; intentionally of course. This allows the track to to really sore, and with Satriani's constant use of leading tones the listener can't help but pulled into the track and take flight along with him. Nearing the end of the album, probably the most unique track of all appears. "Searching", is a ten minute long jam that moves from what I find to be one the most memorable lead lines I ever heard, and immediately head first into a jungle of confusion. The middle portion of track is overflowing with tension which begs to be released. The individual lead lines are sporadic and packed with energy; Satch constantly switches his feel, his speed, and technique. This is song where Satch isn't afraid to get a little messy; for the first time he lowers his guard and plays without his usual technical proficiency. This is an act of pure genius; it lends a much more genuine feeling of someone is the midst of frustration and in search of the lost. In the end, Satch achieves what hes looking for, and that all to memorable line arrives once again. As great as this album is, it is not without its flaws. "I Like The Rain" should not be any where near this album; it's like putting a speed bump on a race track. It's not a bad song in it's own right, but it is to great of a deviation of from the overall feel of the album. Also, as discussed earlier, is the overtly seventies opening piece; the following track, "Up in Flames" would have have been a much better introduction. In addition to this is the final piece "Bamboo", which is overall, a disappointing end to a great album. The previous track, "Searching" would have been a premier choice for a finale. Besides "I like the rain", and a few mismatches on track placement this there is not much else that could be changed on this album. Some songs are not as memorable as others but very few albums are perfect in their entirety. Looking back, I would not say Is There Love in Space? is Satriani's best album, but certainly his best since The Extremist. The album does signify something great; that instrumental rock is not dead. A few of the greats are still able to release works that interesting and inspirational. This album truly special; it has something for any music fan but stays far away from the main stream. Any true fan of rock music should at least experience a piece of Satriani, and this one the best places to start. I would recommend Is There Love in Space? to anyone who looks for more in music than pleasant background noise and catchy melodies. This is not just music. This is Art.

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Just saw Joe in concert last month
C. In December I went to Washington D. to see Joe's latest concert, the Professor Satchifunkilus & The Musterion of Rock show, what a great, great show, I was a little disappointed he didn't play any songs from this album. That is my only gripe of ANYTHING Joe Satriani.

Otherwise, I listen to this album, Engines of Creation, Crystal Planet, Strange Beautiful Music, Time Machine, ("red album"), Surfing With The Alien, Flying in a Blue Dream, and Not of this Earth all the time. I am now (a little late, sorry!) ordering the Super Colossal and Prof. Satchifukilus CD's and will likely listen to them hopefully until I'm an old gray fart with a big smile on my face.
Love to Joe . . . You're the GREATEST man! No matter what all the critics say, their words are just empty criticism and jealousy towards a guy who has the cajones and talent to hang his music out for public enjoyment. Thanks for all the great memories!.

Coldplay's favorite Satriani CD :)
. . and I like it too! After all the news lately went back and listened to this CD. Much stronger than I remembered. Interestingly enough 'Viva La Vida' translates to 'subconsciously steal a melody'. .

Easy listening hard rock
He attempts to somewhat atone for this late in the game but it comes too little, too late. Bland offering from the electric guitar virtuoso is not without it's spectacular moments of soloing grandeur, though Satriani's penchant for sucky rhythm-based guidance along with some ill-advised vocal indulgences often kills any gaining momentum. .

You can see a complete list of all Joe Satriani discography, or go back to the Joe Satriani tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.