Salting Earth
Richie Kotzen · 2017
39 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A seamless blend of hard rock and jazz fusion, showcasing intricate guitar work and soulful vocals throughout.
Top tracks — play these first
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End of Earth — The opening track sets the tone for the album, featuring powerful instrumentation that highlights Kotzen's virtuosic guitar playing and dynamic vocal delivery.
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Divine Power — This track showcases Kotzen's ability to blend rock elements with jazz nuances, featuring intricate solos that captivate listeners while delivering an uplifting message.
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This Is Life — With its infectious groove and engaging lyrics, this track exemplifies Kotzen's knack for crafting memorable melodies that resonate with a wide audience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship and blends genres effectively, though it lacks a strong cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature complex guitar solos that intertwine with soulful vocal lines, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and extended chord progressions, particularly evident in 'Divine Power' and 'Make It Easy'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- intricate guitar work appreciation
- short bursts of energetic expression
- reflective moments with rich melodies
- morning coffee listening sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, immersive tracks
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2017, Salting Earth is Richie Kotzen's first album in three years, following his 2015 release, Cannibals. At this point in his career, he had established himself as a versatile musician with a unique style that melds rock and jazz influences, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled guitarist and songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Satriani· Steve Vai· Greg Howe
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 End of Earth 6:19
- 2 Thunder 3:55
- 3 Divine Power 4:17
- 4 I've Got You 3:31
- 5 My Rock 3:59
- 6 This Is Life 5:05
- 7 Make It Easy 3:24
- 8 Meds 3:21
- 9 Cannon Ball 3:14
- 10 Grammy 2:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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