Flying or Surfing........

[Flobanez]

Flying In A Blue Dream is my favorite album by Satch.
Surfing is right up there. Which album do like better?

[AirGuitarHero]

It's like deciding which of your children you like best..

As a whole album, I'd say Surfing, because it holds very well as a unit. I find that Flying has amazing songs and so-so songs, while surfing is more consistent, if that makes sense. But man, can you beat FIABD, Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, Bells of Lal, The Forgotten, Day at the Beach...?

I think that of all Satch's albums, Crystal Planet defines him best. It's as consistent as Surfing but more modern and mature. This is what I think:

- Not of this earth: great but a bit immature
- Surfing: fantastic cohesion, holds very well together. A classic
- Flying: genius tunes and so-so tunes
- Extremist: most listener-friendly, nice, warm and catchy but not very innovative
- Self-titled: very honest attempt at something different. Very gentle, it takes time for it to 'sink in'
- Crystal planet: the most complete album. It has all the good elements of the other albums. Just needs a tapped arpeggio tune
- Engines of creation: daring, brave and honest. Surprisingly solid for an 'experimental' album. I like it a lot
- SBM: very solid, like Surfing
- Is there love...: a minor disappointment for me, not much imagination

What do you think?

[BCrowell]

I'd have to say...Surfing, as I agree with AirGuitarHero,,, the whole package is solid...kinda like that first VanHalen album. Raw, yet refined, with not a single song dissappointing.

I think Engines of Creation was the biggest dissappointment album for me...I dig techno, etc...but it just didn't feel like Satch to me. Instead of Satch with techno, it was like Techno with guest guitarist Satch.. Still there is a couple good songs on it.

I was glad to see him get more on track with ...Love in Space. Only problem for me there, was the album wears your ears down. By which I mean allot of hard & heavy guitar, without a nice breakup every once in a while.

[Tom Gilroy]

You know while I really like alot of Satch's songs I don't like any of his albums. Some great stuff and some terrible stuff.

[Flobanez]

Nice, AirGuitarHero!
You put it well. FIABD is still my favorite only because to me, it was very influentual.

[Shep]

surfing is one of my favorite's. Echo's

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by Shep

surfing is one of my favorite's. Echo's

The live version of Echo on Tima Machine is simply sweet. It has Joe's best live tone .

Regards

André

[markg5150]

Surfin' is my favourite cause I don't like Satch singing.

Although one big rush is probably my all time favourite Satch song

[jono]

Originally Posted by AirGuitarHero

I find that Flying has amazing songs and so-so songs, while surfing is more consistent, if that makes sense.

That makes perfect sense to me, I think there's probably only one track on surfing that I skip (Hill of the Skull) but a few on FIABD. However 15 years later and I still can get goosebumps from the feedback intro to the title song of FIABD. And back in 1990 when FIABD broke over here in the UK, I remember we all sat around saying, things like "day at the beach is like 3 seperate guitar tracks and there's no way it's just him", and "he'll never be able to play Mystical Potato Head live, you have to have the guitar set up specially" Hammersmith Odeon later that year and DAMN!!! I mean the worst thing is he GRINS as he does the arpeggio and we are rendered literally speachless, walking on water is one thing, but this...

I tend to love 2 or 3 songs of each of his albums, my favourite of all probably being Engines of Creation or Raspberry Jam Delta V or Banana Mango II or...

How can you choose?







Now where did I put that chromeboy?

[JJEMMER777]

Thats a toughy.....soooo close....but I guess If I could only have one of them it would be Flying in a Blue Dream. Every Satch album is a must for me....though I have to admit I really like his older stuff better. Same with Vai.

[ryanb]

I'd also have to give the nod to Flying. And I agree that the older stuff is better. But everything from Satch is essential IMHO.

[Flobanez]

I've always liked the song Ride even though Satch is a little flat on his vocals his singing has a great melody. It's a great song to cover as well.
And dont forget Big Bad Moon.........

[nuno]

Surfing, for me. i'm a nostalgic guy...

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I think both are great. Surfing suffers from the drum machine somewhat and hill of the skull always gets skipped within 2 seconds of starting, but bits like the sweep pattern in Crushing Day give me a musical hardon every time. Plus Always with me.... is a masterclass in expressive guitar playing and how it affects tone. I also love Crystal Planet - raw, simple and great tunes. The Extremist is nice too, mainly because of its production and guitar tone. It's a lot more accessible to non guitar geeks too.

Biggest disappointment - engines of creation. He writes great guitar music but his electronica really sucks. I also thought Is There Love In Space was pretty mediocre, I took it back to the shop after 2 listens.

Dave

[Flobanez]

Engines Of Creation is not that bad once you listen to it more and more.
The songs could of had real drums to make them better but the songs are great
and Champagne is probably the best after the Power Cosmic 2000 part 1 and 2.