Surfing with the Alien is the second studio album by American instrumental rock guitarist Joe Satriani, released on 15 October 1987 through Relativity Records. The recording was completed on a modest budget of approximately US$13 000 and featured Satriadi’s use of two Kramer Pacer guitars, an adapted Stratocaster, and a range of effects including a Roland JC‑120 amplifier, a Marshall ’68 half‑stack, and the Rockman processor. Drum parts were largely programmed with drum machines, though “Satch Boogie” includes live drums performed by Jeff Campitelli.
The album consists of ten instrumental tracks that blend elements of hard rock, jazz fusion, and shred guitar techniques. Notable compositions include the title track “Surfing with the Alien,” which features a distinctive wah‑wah solo inspired by Marvel’s Silver Surfer character; “Satch Boogie”; “Always with Me, Always with You” (a melodic ballad); and “Ice 9,” whose name references Kurt Vonnegut’s fictional substance. Satriani employed techniques such as two‑handed tapping at high tempos (“Midnight”) and improvised solos throughout most tracks.
The original cover artwork depicts the Silver Surfer, licensed from Marvel Comics, with a back‑cover image of Galactus’ hand. The licensing agreement was later discontinued; subsequent reissues after 2018 replaced the superhero imagery with alternative designs, including a version showing only Satriani’s guitar headstock.
Commercial performance and reception
- Peaked at No. 29 on the US Billboard 200 and remained on that chart for 75 weeks, Satriani’s longest‑running album there.
- Reached No. 10 in Australia (ARIA), No. 16 in New Zealand, and No. 53 in Canada.
- Certified Gold by the RIAA on 17 February 1989 and Platinum on 3 February 1992 for shipments of one million units in the United States; also certified Silver in the UK and Gold in Australia.
Critical response highlighted the album’s technical virtuosity and its role in popularising shred guitar during the late‑1980s. Reviewers praised Satriani’s melodic sensibility alongside his speed, noting the record as a benchmark for instrumental rock.
Singles and awards
- “Satch Boogie” (No. 22) and “Surfing with the Alien” (No. 37) charted on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks.
- “Always with Me, Always with You” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (1989); the album itself was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Reissues
The album has been remastered and reissued multiple times: a 1999 edition on Epic Records; a 2007 20‑year anniversary double‑disc set with expanded liner notes and a bonus DVD of live performances; inclusion in the 2014 “Complete Studio Recordings” box set; and a limited coloured‑vinyl release for Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 featuring both the original mix and a “stripped” version without lead guitar tracks.
Track listing (all compositions by Joe Satriani)
- “Surfing with the Alien” – 4:25
- “Ice 9” – 4:00
- “Crushing Day” – 5:14
- “Always with Me, Always with You” – 3:22
- “Satch Boogie” – 3:13
- “Hill of the Skull” – 1:48
- “Circles” – 3:28
- “Lords of Karma” – 4:48
- “Midnight” – 1:42
- “Echo” – 5:37
Total length: 37 minutes 37 seconds.
Personnel
- Joe Satriani – guitars, production
- John Cuniberti – co‑producer, engineering
- Jeff Campitelli – drum overdubs (live drums)
- Bongo Bob Smith – drum programming
“Surfing with the Alien” is widely regarded as a seminal work in instrumental rock and an influential record within the guitar‑focused music of the 1980s.