What makes Not of This Earth by Joe Satriani notable?

Not of This Earth is significant for its role in popularizing instrumental rock during the mid-80s, a time when guitar-centric music was largely dominated by vocal-led bands. The album received critical acclaim, including recognition from Guitar Player magazine, which helped to establish Satriani as a leading figure in guitar virtuosity. It paved the way for future instrumental albums and influenced numerous guitarists in rock and metal. Released in 1986, Not of This Earth was Joe Satriani's debut album, introducing his innovative approach to instrumental guitar music. At this point, he was an emerging guitarist who had previously taught notable musicians like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett. This album set the stage for his subsequent rise in the instrumental rock genre.

Who is Not of This Earth for?

Not of This Earth works well if you're into steady melodic exploration, intricate guitar details unfold and nighttime driving soundtrack.

How many songs are on Not of This Earth?

Not of This Earth has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Not of This Earth

Joe Satriani · 1986

38 min · 10 tracks · blues

Instrumental rock woven with bluesy melodies and intricate guitar work, showcasing virtuosity and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Not of This Earth — The title track showcases Satriani's signature blend of melody and technical prowess, setting the tone for the entire album.
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Rubina — This piece highlights Satriani's ability to convey emotion through his guitar playing, featuring a haunting melody that resonates deeply.
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Driving at Night — With its dynamic shifts and rhythmic complexity, this track encapsulates the fusion of rock and jazz influences that define Satriani's style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Satriani's debut blends intricate guitar work with blues influences, showcasing his emerging style in instrumental rock.

What we noticed

Each track typically showcases a different mood or theme, with varying tempos and dynamics that keep the listener engaged.
Several tracks incorporate blues scales and techniques, while others experiment with more progressive rock elements, highlighting versatility.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic exploration
intricate guitar details unfold
nighttime driving soundtrack
reflective moments of solitude

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer vocal-driven tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Debut album that introduced Satriani's innovative instrumental rock style.
Career context: Released in 1986, Not of This Earth was Joe Satriani's debut album, introducing his innovative approach to instrumental guitar music. At this point, he was an emerging guitarist who had previously taught notable musicians like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett. This album set the stage for his subsequent rise in the instrumental rock genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Steve Vai· Eric Johnson· Paul Gilbert

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Rubina

The melody shifts from light to heavy as it progresses, evoking a journey filled with both joy and melancholy.

The transitions in the melody reflect a nuanced storytelling approach that Satriani employs without lyrics, showing his mastery of emotional expression through instrumentation.