Review: Joe Satriani – Shockwave Supernova

Sony Music Cmg (2015)

Reviewer: Dan Mann

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the speakers are most certainly cranked to eleven! This can only mean one thing, a new Joe Satriani album.

Yes Satch is back  with his 15th solo studio album and there is no mistaking who it is from the off.  First in we have the title track ‘Shockwave Supernova‘ which is just pure Satriani. A huge sound-stage and all enveloping, it most certainly gets those speaker cones shifting some air!

What’s great is the differing styles on this album, from ‘Crazy Joe‘ which wouldn’t be out of place on an Ozric Tentacles album, to the wonderful ‘San Francisco Blue‘ which has a nice twist on a traditional blues song. Songs like ‘All My Life‘ are perfect for just chilling out and letting the day’s angst just float away.

The production on this album is fabulous, but it’s no real surprise with long time cohort John Cuniberti once again taking charge. Recorded at none other than Skywalker Sound, which fits in rather nicely with Joe’s love of scifi, it clearly shows how it should be done with all the instruments, be it guitar (obviously) keyboards, bass, drums, clearly heard and not muddied into the mix.

This is obviously an album for existing fans, but it is one that nicely introduces new fans to the wonderful world of Satch!

Do not miss Joe Satriani on tour this November in the UK, with special guest Dan Patlansky. Tickets available here.