The Elephants of Mars
Joe Satriani · 2022
66 min · 14 tracks · blues
A vibrant tapestry of technical guitar work blends seamlessly with eclectic rhythms and experimental soundscapes throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Elephants of Mars — The title track encapsulates the album's experimental spirit, blending intricate guitar solos with an unexpected fusion of styles that reflects Satriani's versatility.
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Sahara — Opening the album, this track features a mesmerizing melodic hook that showcases Satriani's signature phrasing and emotive playing, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Sailing the Seas of Ganymede — This track stands out with its progressive structure and cosmic themes, illustrating Satriani's ability to weave storytelling into instrumental music through dynamic shifts and captivating melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong guitar work and genre-blending, maintaining a cohesive flow while exploring innovative sounds.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady progression with resolution
- intricate guitar work exploration
- otherworldly sonic journey
- vibrant rhythms for focus
- immersive listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality and evolution in sound at this stage of his career.
- Career context
- Released on April 8, 2022, The Elephants of Mars marks Joe Satriani's seventeenth studio album, following his previous project, What Happens Next (2018). At this point in his career, Satriani continued to explore innovative sounds while maintaining his signature virtuosic guitar style, solidifying his status as a leading figure in instrumental rock.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Steve Vai· Eric Johnson· Paul Gilbert
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sahara 4:36
- 2 The Elephants of Mars 5:21
- 3 Faceless 4:48
- 4 Blue Foot Groovy 5:10
- 5 Tension and Release 5:50
- 6 Sailing the Seas of Ganymede 5:59
- 7 Doors of Perception 3:17
- 8 E 104th St NYC 1973 5:36
- 9 Pumpin’ 3:23
- 10 Dance of the Spores 6:20
- 11 Night Scene 4:34
- 12 Through a Mother’s Day Darkly 4:12
- 13 22 Memory Lane 4:12
- 14 Desolation 3:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Joy of Motion
Animals as Leaders
Shares intricate guitar work and progressive structures with an experimental sound palette.
Handmade Cities
Plini
Combines virtuosic guitar melodies with eclectic rhythms and rich atmospheric layers.
Liquid Tension Experiment 2
Liquid Tension Experiment
Features improvisational instrumental rock with complex arrangements and dynamic interplay.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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