Not of This Earth

Released in 1986, Not of This Earth is the debut studio album by Joe Satriani, a landmark release that redefined the possibilities of instrumental rock. Recorded on a modest budget with Satriani financing the sessions himself, the album is notable for its heavy use of 'pitch axis theory,' a compositional method where the melody shifts through different modes over a static bass note. This technique gives the album its signature 'alien' or 'otherworldly' harmonic character. While later albums like Surfing with the Alien would bring Satriani mainstream fame, this debut is more experimental, featuring avant-garde moments like the tapping-heavy 'The Headless Horseman' and the jazz-inflected 'Brother John.' Critics, particularly at AllMusic, have hailed it for its superior compositions and unique tone, noting that it established Satriani's signature style - characterized by fluid legato and expressive whammy bar use - right out of the gate.