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	{{Infobox album		{{Infobox album
	\| name = Surfing with the Alien		\| name = Surfing with the Alien
	\| type = studio		\| type = studio
	\| artist = ]		\| artist = ]
	\| cover = Joe_Satriani_Surfing_With_the_Alien.jpg		\| cover = Joe_Satriani_Surfing_With_the_Alien.jpg
	\| border = yes		\| border = yes
	\| alt =		\| alt =
	\| released = {{Start date\|1987\|10\|15}}		\| released = {{Start date\|1987\|10\|15}}
	\| recorded =		\| recorded =
	\| venue =		\| venue =
	\| studio = {{hlist\|] (])\|] (San Francisco)}}		\| studio = {{hlist\|] (])\|] (San Francisco)}}
	\| genre = {{flatlist\|		\| genre = {{flatlist\|
	* ]		* ]
			* ]
	* ]		* ]
	}}		}}
	\| length = {{Duration\|m=37\|s=37}}		\| length = {{Duration\|m=37\|s=37}}
	\| label = ]		\| label = ]
	\| producer = Joe Satriani, John Cuniberti		\| producer = Joe Satriani, John Cuniberti
	\| prev_title = ]		\| prev_title = ]
	\| prev_year = 1986		\| prev_year = 1986
	\| next_title = ]		\| next_title = ]
	\| next_year = 1988		\| next_year = 1988
	\| misc = {{Singles		\| misc = {{Singles
	\| name = Surfing with the Alien		\| name = Surfing with the Alien
	\| type = studio		\| type = studio
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	'''''Surfing with the Alien''''' is the second studio album by American ] guitarist ]. It was released on October 15, 1987, by ]. The album is one of Satriani's most successful to date and helped establish his reputation as a respected rock guitarist.<ref name=allmusic/>		'''''Surfing with the Alien''''' is the second studio album by American ] guitarist ]. It was released on October 15, 1987, by ]. The album is one of Satriani's most successful to date and helped establish his reputation as a respected rock guitarist.<ref name=allmusic/>

			==Recording==
	==Background and composition==
	The album was recorded on a budget of $13,000.<ref name=musicradar17>Astley-Brown, Michael (2017-02-01). . ]. ]. Retrieved 2017-02-17.</ref> Satriani's equipment was limited by the budget, consisting of two ] guitars and an adapted ] guitar, for which he would change the ] to get different sounds.<ref name="musicradar17" />		The album was recorded on a budget of $13,000.<ref name=musicradar17>Astley-Brown, Michael (2017-02-01). . ]. ]. Retrieved 2017-02-17.</ref> Satriani's equipment was limited by the budget, consisting of two ] guitars and an adapted ] guitar, for which he would change the ] to get different sounds.<ref name="musicradar17" /> His guitar effects included a ], a ], and a ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Fox \|first=Darrin \|date=2007-07-31 \|title=Joe Satriani Reflects on 20 Years of Surfing With the Alien \|url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/joe-satriani-reflects-on-20-years-of-surfing-with-the-alien \|access-date=2023-06-23 \|website=Guitar Player \|language=en}}</ref>

			Due to the limited budget, Satriani had to use whatever studio time and rooms were available, and as a result printed his effects to tape while tracking. This proved fortuitous for "]", whose solo was recorded with a malfunctioning ] as his allotted studio time nearly ended.<ref name=":0" />
⚫	To save money, the album heavily used ]s, programmed by Bongo Bob Smith, with ] recording overdubs of hi-hats, cymbals, toms and snares. Satriani stated this gave the music an "awkward charm", and maintained the combination of loose guitar playing and machine-like drum programming.<ref name="musicradar17" /> "Satch Boogie" is the only song to fully feature live drums, played by Campitelli.<ref name="musicradar17" /> The song was originally recorded to a drum machine pattern, and the quick fade-out disguised the sound of the drum machine being picked up by the amplifier at the end.<ref name="musicradar17" />

		⚫	To save money, the album heavily used ]s, programmed by Bongo Bob Smith, with ] recording overdubs of hi-hats, cymbals, toms and snares. Satriani stated this gave the music an "awkward charm", and maintained the combination of loose guitar playing and machine-like drum programming.<ref name="musicradar17" />
⚫	The ]-influenced "Crushing Day" contains the only solo on the album that was worked out beforehand, due to its length; the others are improvised. Satriani expressed regret for this decision later, as he felt constrained when having to play the song on stage.<ref name="musicradar17" />

			"]" is the only song to fully feature live drums, played by Campitelli.<ref name="musicradar17" /> The song was originally recorded to a drum machine pattern, and the quick fade-out disguised the sound of the drum machine being picked up by the amplifier at the end.<ref name="musicradar17" />

			== Composition ==
		⚫	Satriani described the arrangements of the album as follows:<blockquote>"Even though my sensibilities were driving me to be very succinct on the record—with very obvious chorus, bridge, and verse sections—after I tracked the outro to “Surfing,” I dug it so much that it set the template for the rest of the record. As a result, the outros turned into the spots where I could relax a little bit and go nuts."<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>The ]-influenced "Crushing Day" contains the only solo on the album that was worked out beforehand, due to its length; the others are improvised. Satriani expressed regret for this decision later, as he felt constrained when having to play the song on stage.<ref name="musicradar17" />

	A ] was used to record the flute and orchestral instruments on "Midnight".<ref name="musicradar17" />		A ] was used to record the flute and orchestral instruments on "Midnight".<ref name="musicradar17" />

	It contains fast and complex songs such as the title track and "Satch Boogie", which helped to further popularize ] during that time.<ref name="~~guitarplayer">Fox, Darrin (2007-08-01). . '']''. ]. Retrieved 2015-03-11.<~~/~~ref~~> By contrast slower, melodic songs such as "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Echo" provide a change of pace. "Midnight" utilizes the technique of ] at high tempo,<ref name="~~guitarplayer~~" /> evoking a Spanish ] effect. "Ice 9" references the fictional apocalyptic substance from ]'s 1963 novel '']''.<ref>''Surfing with the Alien'' liner notes (1999 remaster).</ref>		It contains fast and complex songs such as the title track and "Satch Boogie", which helped to further popularize ] during that time.<ref name=":0" /> By contrast slower, melodic songs such as "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Echo" provide a change of pace. "Midnight" utilizes the technique of ] at high tempo,<ref name=":0" /> evoking a Spanish ] effect. "Ice 9" references the fictional apocalyptic substance from ]'s 1963 novel '']''.<ref>''Surfing with the Alien'' liner notes (1999 remaster).</ref>

	==Artwork==		==Artwork==
	The cover art of the original release depicts the ] character ] on the front, with the hand of ] on the back cover. The artwork, which was licensed from the publisher,<ref name=nuts>{{cite news \|last1=Doyle \|first1=Pippa \|title=THE STORY BEHIND 'SURFING WITH THE ALIEN' ALBUM ART IS NUTS \|url=http://www.96fm.com.au/shows/paul-lise/the-story-behind-the-iconic-surfing-with-the-alien-album-art-is-nuts \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=96fm.com.au \|date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Discogs: Joe Satriani – Surfing With The Alien \|url=https://www.discogs.com/Joe-Satriani-Surfing-With-The-Alien/release/2778884 \|website=Discogs \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> is taken from a panel from ''Silver Surfer'' #1 (1982), drawn by ].<ref name=ByrneFAQ>]. . byrnerobotics.com. Retrieved 9 January 2019.</ref> Byrne did not receive a royalty for the art's use on the album cover.<ref name=ByrneFAQ/><ref name=SurferToday/> Satriani was unfamiliar with the Silver Surfer and had named the album and title track without the character in mind.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday/><ref name="GuitarWorld">{{cite news \|title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos: No. 30 "Surfing with the Alien" (Joe Satriani) \|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/100-greatest-guitar-solos-no-30-surfing-alien-joe-satriani \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=Guitar World \|date=28 October 2008}}</ref> However, Jim Kozlowski, the production manager for ], was a comic book fan and had used the nickname "The Silver Surfer" as a ] name.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday>{{cite news \|title="Surfing With The Alien": The story of a non-surf related masterpiece \|url=https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/surfing-with-the-alien-the-story-of-a-non-surf-related-masterpiece \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=Surfer Today \|date=23 November 2017}}</ref> He suggested using the character for the album cover. Kozlowski presented the album to Marvel and obtained permission to use the character.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday/> Subsequently, Marvel Comics has paid homage to Satriani in Silver Surfer comics ("the planet Satriani") and Satriani has named later compositions after other elements of the Silver Surfer mythos ("]", "]").		The cover art of the original release depicts the ] character ] on the front, with the hand of ] on the back cover. The artwork, which was licensed from the publisher,<ref name=nuts>{{cite news \|last1=Doyle \|first1=Pippa \|title=THE STORY BEHIND 'SURFING WITH THE ALIEN' ALBUM ART IS NUTS \|url=http://www.96fm.com.au/shows/paul-lise/the-story-behind-the-iconic-surfing-with-the-alien-album-art-is-nuts \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=96fm.com.au \|date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Discogs: Joe Satriani – Surfing With The Alien \|url=https://www.discogs.com/Joe-Satriani-Surfing-With-The-Alien/release/2778884 \|website=Discogs \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> is taken from a panel from '']'' #1 (1982), drawn by ].<ref name=ByrneFAQ>]. . byrnerobotics.com. Retrieved 9 January 2019.</ref> Byrne did not receive a royalty for the art's use on the album cover.<ref name=ByrneFAQ/><ref name=SurferToday/> Satriani was unfamiliar with the Silver Surfer and had named the album and title track without the character in mind.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday/><ref name="GuitarWorld">{{cite news \|title=100 Greatest Guitar Solos: No. 30 "Surfing with the Alien" (Joe Satriani) \|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/100-greatest-guitar-solos-no-30-surfing-alien-joe-satriani \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=Guitar World \|date=28 October 2008}}</ref> However, Jim Kozlowski, the production manager for ], was a comic book fan and had used the nickname "The Silver Surfer" as a ] name.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday>{{cite news \|title="Surfing With The Alien": The story of a non-surf related masterpiece \|url=https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/surfing-with-the-alien-the-story-of-a-non-surf-related-masterpiece \|access-date=9 January 2019 \|work=Surfer Today \|date=23 November 2017}}</ref> He suggested using the character for the album cover. Kozlowski presented the album to Marvel and obtained permission to use the character.<ref name=nuts/><ref name=SurferToday/> Subsequently, Marvel Comics has paid homage to Satriani in Silver Surfer comics ("the planet Satriani") and Satriani has named later compositions after other elements of the Silver Surfer mythos ("]", "]").

	The original license to use the character artwork was time-limited. Though the license was renewed multiple times, in 2018, Satriani and Marvel could not come to terms on a price, and so the cover art was replaced.<ref name=nuts/> {{As of\|2018}}, digital retailers such as ] and ] display an alternative artwork that does not feature the Silver Surfer.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Apple Music Preview: Surfing with the Alien \|url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/surfing-with-the-alien/405602019 \|website=Apple Music \|publisher=Apple Inc. \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Spotify: Surfing with the Alien: Joe Satriani \|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4SFG7APMZeeM97ixKPoQuk \|website=Spotify \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> In 2019 a limited deluxe edition of the album was released featuring a silver guitar ] in place of the Silver Surfer. The background and font of this new artwork is very similar to the original with minor differences.		The original license to use the character artwork was time-limited. Though the license was renewed multiple times, in 2018, Satriani and Marvel could not come to terms on a price, and so the cover art was replaced.<ref name=nuts/> {{As of\|2018}}, digital retailers such as ] and ] display an alternative artwork that does not feature the Silver Surfer.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Apple Music Preview: Surfing with the Alien \|url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/surfing-with-the-alien/405602019 \|website=Apple Music \|date=15 October 1987 \|publisher=Apple Inc. \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Spotify: Surfing with the Alien: Joe Satriani \|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4SFG7APMZeeM97ixKPoQuk \|website=Spotify \|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> In 2019 a limited deluxe edition of the album was released featuring a silver guitar ] in place of the Silver Surfer. The background and font of this new artwork is very similar to the original with minor differences.

	==Release and reception==		==Release and reception==
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	==Reissues==		==Reissues==
	''Surfing with the Alien'' has been reissued several times. A ]ed edition of the album was first released on July 27, 1999 through ], which featured expanded liner notes.<ref>] (1999-06-08). . satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref> A second remaster celebrating the album's 20th anniversary was released on August 7, 2007 through Epic/];<ref name=official>. satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref><ref name=guitarplayer/> this is a ] set comprising the album itself with further expanded liner notes, as well as a DVD featuring Satriani's live performance at the 1988 ], music videos for "Always ~~With~~ Me, Always ~~With~~ You" and "Satch Boogie", and additional bonus material. To promote the 2007 reissue, Satriani played exclusive club gigs in select cities.<ref>. JustPressPlay. 2007-07-12. Archived from on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref>		''Surfing with the Alien'' has been reissued several times. A ]ed edition of the album was first released on July 27, 1999 through ], which featured expanded liner notes.<ref>] (1999-06-08). . satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref> A second remaster celebrating the album's 20th anniversary was released on August 7, 2007 through Epic/];<ref name=official>. satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref><ref name="guitarplayer">Fox, Darrin (2007-08-01). . '']''. ]. Retrieved 2015-03-11.</ref> this is a ] set comprising the album itself with further expanded liner notes, as well as a DVD featuring Satriani's live performance at the 1988 ], music videos for "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Satch Boogie", and additional bonus material. To promote the 2007 reissue, Satriani played exclusive club gigs in select cities.<ref>. JustPressPlay. 2007-07-12. Archived from on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2014-03-22.</ref>

	The most recent reissue of ''Surfing with the Alien'' was part of '']'', released on April 22, 2014 through ]; this is a box set compilation containing newly remastered editions of every Satriani studio album from 1986 to 2013.<ref>Bosso, Joe (2014-04-08). . '']''. ]. Retrieved 2015-03-11.</ref>		The most recent reissue of ''Surfing with the Alien'' was part of '']'', released on April 22, 2014 through ]; this is a box set compilation containing newly remastered editions of every Satriani studio album from 1986 to 2013.<ref>Bosso, Joe (2014-04-08). . '']''. ]. Retrieved 2015-03-11.</ref>
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	==Charts==		==Charts==
			{{col-begin}}
			{{col-2}}

	===Weekly charts===		===Weekly charts===
	{\|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"		{\|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
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	!Peak<br/>position		!Peak<br/>position
	\|-		\|-
	{{Album chart\|Australia\|10\|album=Surfing with the Alien\|artist=Joe Satriani\|rowheader=true\|access-date=~~October~~ 19, ~~2015~~}}		{{Album chart\|Australia\|10\|album=Surfing with the Alien\|artist=Joe Satriani\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 7, 2023}}
	\|-		\|-
			{{Album chart\|Canada\|53\|album=Surfing with the Alien\|artist=Joe Satriani\|chartid=8661\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 7, 2023}}
	!scope="row"\|Canadian Top Albums/CDs (])<ref>{{cite journal\|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.8661&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|title=Canadian RPM Top Albums/CDs\|volume=48\|number=6\|date=May 28, 1988\|publisher=Library and Archives Canada\|journal=RPM Magazine\|access-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref>
	\|53
	\|-		\|-
	{{Album chart\|New Zealand\|16\|album=Surfing with the Alien\|artist=Joe Satriani\|rowheader=true\|access-date=~~October~~ 19, ~~2015~~}}		{{Album chart\|New Zealand\|16\|album=Surfing with the Alien\|artist=Joe Satriani\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 7, 2023}}
	\|-		\|-
	{{Album chart\|Billboard200\|29\|artist=Joe Satriani~~\|artistid=304841~~\|rowheader=true\|access-date=~~October~~ 19, ~~2015~~}}		{{Album chart\|Billboard200\|29\|artist=Joe Satriani\|rowheader=true\|access-date=May 7, 2023}}
	\|}		\|}
			{{col-2}}

	===Year-end charts===		===Year-end charts===
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	\| 72		\| 72
	\|}		\|}
			{{col-end}}

	==Certifications==		==Certifications==
	{{Certification Table Top}}		{{Certification Table Top}}
	{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=Australia\|award=Gold\|relyear=1987\|certref=<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=549924 \|title=ARIA Gold Sales Award \|publisher=Eil.com \|access-date=24 January 2016 \|url-status=unfit \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124111607/http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=549924 \|archive-date=January 24, 2016 }}</ref>}}		{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=Australia\|award=Gold\|relyear=1987\|certref=<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=549924 \|title=ARIA Gold Sales Award \|publisher=Eil.com \|access-date=24 January 2016 \|url-status=unfit \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124111607/http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=549924 \|archive-date=January 24, 2016 }}</ref>}}
	{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=United Kingdom\|award=Silver\|relyear=2007\|artist=Joe Satriani\|title=Surfing with the Alien\|access-date=24 January 2016}}		{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=United Kingdom\|award=Silver\|relyear=2007\|artist=Joe Satriani\|title=Surfing with the Alien\|access-date=24 January 2016\|certyear=2013\|certmonth=7\|id=9862-2875-2}}
	{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=United States\|award=Platinum\|relyear=1987\|artist=Joe Satriani\|title=Surfing with the Alien\|access-date=24 January 2016}}		{{Certification Table Entry\|type=album\|region=United States\|award=Platinum\|relyear=1987\|artist=Joe Satriani\|title=Surfing with the Alien\|access-date=24 January 2016}}
	{{Certification Table Bottom ~~\| nosales=true~~}}		{{Certification Table Bottom}}

	==References==		==References==

Latest revision as of 12:07, 8 October 2024

1987 studio album by Joe Satriani

Surfing with the Alien

Studio album by Joe Satriani

Released

October 15, 1987 (1987-10-15)

Studio

Alpha & Omega (San Francisco)
Hyde Street (San Francisco)

Genre

Length

37:37

Label

Relativity

Producer

Joe Satriani, John Cuniberti

Joe Satriani chronology

Not of This Earth
(1986)

Surfing with the Alien
(1987)

Dreaming #11
(1988)

Singles from Surfing with the Alien

"Surfing with the Alien" / "Ice 9"
Released: 1987
"Always with Me, Always with You" / "Hill of the Skull"
Released: 1987
"Satch Boogie"
Released: 1987

Alternative cover

2019 reissue

Surfing with the Alien is the second studio album by American rock guitarist Joe Satriani. It was released on October 15, 1987, by Relativity Records. The album is one of Satriani's most successful to date and helped establish his reputation as a respected rock guitarist.

Recording

The album was recorded on a budget of $13,000. Satriani's equipment was limited by the budget, consisting of two Kramer Pacer guitars and an adapted Stratocaster guitar, for which he would change the pickups to get different sounds. His guitar effects included a Roland JC-120, a Marshall '68 half-stack, and a Rockman.

Due to the limited budget, Satriani had to use whatever studio time and rooms were available, and as a result printed his effects to tape while tracking. This proved fortuitous for "Surfing with the Alien", whose solo was recorded with a malfunctioning Eventide H949 as his allotted studio time nearly ended.

To save money, the album heavily used drum machines, programmed by Bongo Bob Smith, with Jeff Campitelli recording overdubs of hi-hats, cymbals, toms and snares. Satriani stated this gave the music an "awkward charm", and maintained the combination of loose guitar playing and machine-like drum programming.

"Satch Boogie" is the only song to fully feature live drums, played by Campitelli. The song was originally recorded to a drum machine pattern, and the quick fade-out disguised the sound of the drum machine being picked up by the amplifier at the end.

Composition

Satriani described the arrangements of the album as follows:

"Even though my sensibilities were driving me to be very succinct on the record—with very obvious chorus, bridge, and verse sections—after I tracked the outro to “Surfing,” I dug it so much that it set the template for the rest of the record. As a result, the outros turned into the spots where I could relax a little bit and go nuts."

The heavy metal-influenced "Crushing Day" contains the only solo on the album that was worked out beforehand, due to its length; the others are improvised. Satriani expressed regret for this decision later, as he felt constrained when having to play the song on stage.

A Casio CZ-101 was used to record the flute and orchestral instruments on "Midnight".

It contains fast and complex songs such as the title track and "Satch Boogie", which helped to further popularize shred guitar during that time. By contrast slower, melodic songs such as "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Echo" provide a change of pace. "Midnight" utilizes the technique of two-handed tapping at high tempo, evoking a Spanish fingerstyle effect. "Ice 9" references the fictional apocalyptic substance from Kurt Vonnegut's 1963 novel Cat's Cradle.

Artwork

The cover art of the original release depicts the Marvel Comics character Silver Surfer on the front, with the hand of Galactus on the back cover. The artwork, which was licensed from the publisher, is taken from a panel from Silver Surfer #1 (1982), drawn by John Byrne. Byrne did not receive a royalty for the art's use on the album cover. Satriani was unfamiliar with the Silver Surfer and had named the album and title track without the character in mind. However, Jim Kozlowski, the production manager for Relativity Records, was a comic book fan and had used the nickname "The Silver Surfer" as a radio DJ name. He suggested using the character for the album cover. Kozlowski presented the album to Marvel and obtained permission to use the character. Subsequently, Marvel Comics has paid homage to Satriani in Silver Surfer comics ("the planet Satriani") and Satriani has named later compositions after other elements of the Silver Surfer mythos ("Back to Shalla-Bal", "The Power Cosmic 2000").

The original license to use the character artwork was time-limited. Though the license was renewed multiple times, in 2018, Satriani and Marvel could not come to terms on a price, and so the cover art was replaced. As of 2018, digital retailers such as iTunes and Spotify display an alternative artwork that does not feature the Silver Surfer. In 2019 a limited deluxe edition of the album was released featuring a silver guitar headstock in place of the Silver Surfer. The background and font of this new artwork is very similar to the original with minor differences.

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Village Voice	C+

Released on October 15, 1987, by Relativity Records, Surfing with the Alien charted at number 29 on the Billboard 200, proving to be Satriani's third highest-charting album in the United States. It remained on Billboard 200 for 75 weeks, the longest run of any of his releases. Surfing with the Alien was certified Gold on February 17, 1989, and Platinum on February 3, 1992, having shipped one million copies in the US. It was Satriani's first album to earn platinum certification, and remains his only studio album to have done so.

Two singles from the album reached Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart: "Satch Boogie" at No. 22 and "Surfing with the Alien" at No. 37. A third single, "Always with Me, Always with You", received a nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards, while the album itself was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the same event, Satriani's first two of many such nominations. Live versions of "Always with Me, Always with You" would later be nominated for Best Rock Instrumental twice more, at the 2002 and 2008 Grammys.

In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau snidely referred to Satriani as "the latest guitar god" and felt he is too much of a formalist, because he not only composes but edits his guitar melodies: "Thus he delivers both the prowess cultists demand and the comfort they secretly crave". In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine was more impressed by his technical abilities and praised Surfing with the Alien, writing that it "can be seen as the gold standard for guitar playing of the mid- to late '80s, an album that captures everything that was good about the glory days of shred." According to The Rolling Stone Album Guide (1992), the record "put Satriani on the map. Beautifully played and well-paced, it manages to capture all the icy fire of fusion jazz without losing any of the visceral power of rock & roll".

Reissues

Surfing with the Alien has been reissued several times. A remastered edition of the album was first released on July 27, 1999 through Epic Records, which featured expanded liner notes. A second remaster celebrating the album's 20th anniversary was released on August 7, 2007 through Epic/Legacy Recordings; this is a double-disc set comprising the album itself with further expanded liner notes, as well as a DVD featuring Satriani's live performance at the 1988 Montreux Jazz Festival, music videos for "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Satch Boogie", and additional bonus material. To promote the 2007 reissue, Satriani played exclusive club gigs in select cities.

The most recent reissue of Surfing with the Alien was part of The Complete Studio Recordings, released on April 22, 2014 through Legacy Recordings; this is a box set compilation containing newly remastered editions of every Satriani studio album from 1986 to 2013.

For Record Store Day Black Friday 2019, the album was re-released as a limited edition, gatefold cover on colored vinyl. The album included a hype sticker that read, "Surfing is now 'Stripped'". "Brand New Limited Edition Features The Original Album + All Of The Backing Tracks. Joe's Leads Have Been Removed, Allowing You To Play Lead On This Iconic Album, The Perfect Audiophile Guitar Player Experience." The release included the original version of the album on red vinyl and the "stripped" version on yellow vinyl. The album artwork has been modified for this release, showing only the headstock of Joe's guitar, instead of the surfer while the background maintains a similar color scheme as the original.

Track listing

All music is composed by Joe Satriani

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Surfing with the Alien"	4:25
2.	"Ice 9"	4:00
3.	"Crushing Day"	5:14
4.	"Always with Me, Always with You"	3:22
5.	"Satch Boogie"	3:13
6.	"Hill of the Skull"	1:48
7.	"Circles"	3:28
8.	"Lords of Karma"	4:48
9.	"Midnight"	1:42
10.	"Echo"	5:37
Total length:		37:37

2007 remastered edition bonus DVD

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ice 9"
2.	"Memories"
3.	"Midnight"
4.	"Rubina"
5.	"Circles"
6.	"Lords of Karma"
7.	"Bass solo"
8.	"Echo"
9.	"Hordes of Locusts"
10.	"Always with Me, Always with You"
11.	"Satch Boogie"
12.	"Satch Boogie" (music video)
13.	"Always with Me, Always with You" (music video)
14.	"Bonus material"

Personnel

Joe Satriani – guitar, electric sitar, keyboard, drum programming, percussion, bass, arrangement, production
Bongo Bob Smith – drum programming, percussion, sound design
Jeff Campitelli – drums, percussion
John Cuniberti – percussion, engineering, remastering (reissue), production
Jeff Kreegar – pre-production programming, sound design
Bernie Grundman – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987–1990)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	10
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)	53
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)	16
US Billboard 200	29

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	72

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)	Gold	35,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	Silver	60,000
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000
Sales figures based on certification alone. Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

"Joe Satriani – Surfing With The Alien". Discogs. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"Joe Satriani – Always With Me, Always With You". Discogs. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"Joe Satriani – Satch Boogie". Discogs. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Surfing with the Alien - Joe Satriani". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
^ Astley-Brown, Michael (2017-02-01). "Joe Satriani talks Surfing With The Alien track-by-track". MusicRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
^ Fox, Darrin (2007-07-31). "Joe Satriani Reflects on 20 Years of Surfing With the Alien". Guitar Player. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
Surfing with the Alien liner notes (1999 remaster).
^ Doyle, Pippa (21 August 2018). "THE STORY BEHIND 'SURFING WITH THE ALIEN' ALBUM ART IS NUTS". 96fm.com.au. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
"Discogs: Joe Satriani – Surfing With The Alien". Discogs. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
^ Byrne, John. "Byrne Robotics: FAQ". byrnerobotics.com. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
^ ""Surfing With The Alien": The story of a non-surf related masterpiece". Surfer Today. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
"100 Greatest Guitar Solos: No. 30 "Surfing with the Alien" (Joe Satriani)". Guitar World. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
"Apple Music Preview: Surfing with the Alien". Apple Music. Apple Inc. 15 October 1987. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
"Spotify: Surfing with the Alien: Joe Satriani". Spotify. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 2659. ISBN 978-0857125958.
^ DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly, eds. (1992). "Joe Satriani". The Rolling Stone Album Guide (3rd ed.). Random House. p. 620. ISBN 0679737294.
^ Christgau, Robert (1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. No. November 29. New York. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
^ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. RIAA. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
^ "Surfing with the Alien - Joe Satriani | Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"Joe Satriani - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"31st Grammy Awards - 1989". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"44th Grammy Awards - 2002". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
"50th Grammy Awards - 2008". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
Satriani, Joe (1999-06-08). "news". satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
Surfing With The Alien "Surfing With The Alien". satriani.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
Fox, Darrin (2007-08-01). "Joe Satriani(2)". Guitar Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
"Joe Satriani Set to Play Exclusive Club Dates". JustPressPlay. 2007-07-12. Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
Bosso, Joe (2014-04-08). "Joe Satriani talks The Complete Studio Recordings album by album | Surfing With The Alien (1987)". MusicRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
"Australiancharts.com – Joe Satriani – Surfing with the Alien". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
"Top RPM Albums: Issue 8661". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
"Charts.nz – Joe Satriani – Surfing with the Alien". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
"Joe Satriani Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
"The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – 1989 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 1)". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 15 December 2016.
"ARIA Gold Sales Award". Eil.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
"British album certifications – Joe Satriani – Surfing with the Alien". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
"American album certifications – Joe Satriani – Surfing with the Alien". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 24 January 2016.

External links

In Review: Joe Satriani "Surfing With The Alien" at Guitar Nine Records

v t e Joe Satriani
Bryan Beller Kenny Aronoff Rai Thistlethwayte
Former guitarists	Andy Fairweather Low Eric Caudieux Mike Keneally
Former bassists	Matt Bissonette Nathan East Dave LaRue Stuart Hamm Doug Wimbish Allen Whitman Chris Chaney
Former drummers	Jonathan Mover Simon Phillips Gregg Bissonette Manu Katché Jeff Campitelli Vinnie Colaiuta Marco Minnemann Joe Travers
Studio albums	Not of This Earth Surfing with the Alien Flying in a Blue Dream The Extremist Time Machine Joe Satriani Crystal Planet Engines of Creation Strange Beautiful Music Is There Love in Space? Super Colossal Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards Unstoppable Momentum Shockwave Supernova What Happens Next Shapeshifting The Elephants of Mars
Compilations	The Beautiful Guitar The Electric Joe Satriani: An Anthology Original Album Classics The Complete Studio Recordings
EPs	Joe Satriani Dreaming #11 Additional Creations
Live albums	Time Machine Live in San Francisco Satriani Live! Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock Satchurated: Live in Montreal
Singles	"Surfing with the Alien" "Satch Boogie" "Flying in a Blue Dream" "Friends" "Summer Song" "Cryin'" "Ceremony" "Until We Say Goodbye" "Starry Night"
Related articles	Discography G3 Deep Purple Steve Vai Chickenfoot Ibanez JS Series

v t e Silver Surfer
Stan Lee Jack Kirby
Supporting characters	Adam Warlock Air-Walker Alicia Masters Avengers Beta Ray Bill Drax the Destroyer Eternals Fantastic Four Firelord Galactus Guardians of the Galaxy Infinity Watch Mantis Nova (Richard Rider) Nova (Frankie Raye) Pip the Troll Shalla-Bal Stardust Starjammers Thor Uatu the Watcher
Enemies	Annihilus Black Order Blastaar Carnage Champion of the Universe Collector Dar-Benn Doctor Doom Ego the Living Planet Elders of the Universe Galactus Grandmaster High Evolutionary Knull Korvac Kree Mephisto Midnight Sun Morg Nebula Obliterator Possessor Reptyl Ronan the Accuser Red Shift Skrulls Stranger Super-Skrull Supreme Intelligence Terrax Thanos Tyrant
Group affiliations	Annihilators Defenders Heralds of Galactus The Order
Titles and storylines	Silver Surfer (comic book) Annihilation Fantastic Four The Galactus Trilogy Heroes Reborn The Infinity Gauntlet Ultimate Fantastic Four
Other media	Silver Surfer (1990 video game) Silver Surfer (1998 animated series) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (film) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (video game)
See also	Power Cosmic Surfing with the Alien The Power Cosmic

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