Advantages: Amazing Guitarist
Disadvantages: Very Short

...This is the second instrumental album by the guitar legend Joe Satriani. It is very short at 37 mins and 42 secs, but is a master class in guitar playing. Satriani gives his guitars a voice and allows them to sing out on each track. 1. Surfing with the Alien. As the opening and title track of the album one expects it to be one of the best, this track certainly lives up to this expectation, it heralds in the rest of the album as is a perfect opening to this album. 2. Ice 9. This one of the funkier sounding songs on the album and beyond doubt the most emotional. 3. Crushing Day. As the second longest track on this disc one expects it to contain some of the newer more experimental techniques, not quite, as this is a very cheesy track that sounds as if it should be the theme tune a to film. 4. Always with me, Always... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some cool songs that are ear pleasing.
Disadvantages: Some tracks drag on.Lasts 37mins.

...Joe Satriani – SURFING WITH THE ALIEN: Released 1987, (so its 17years old! Almost as old as me!) I have listened to this album so many time I have lost count, not only has it been playing the role of most music in entertaining us, but for me being a guitarist this has served as inspiration as well. So many years on I listened to this with a fresh ear today, and ill try to review it, incorporating in some of the complex guitar techniques along the way to hopefully help appreciation levels. The review …. 01 – Surfing with the alien If you have not heard of this track then its very unlikely that you have ever heard anything of Joe’s before (unless you have watched “say anything” which features song clips of “one big rush”!). This is THE track to listen to (also see my review under “Guitars” for Joe to check out other songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Guitar virtuosity at its best
Disadvantages: A bit short

...Joe Satriani is regarded as one of the most technically brilliant guitarists ever and with former pupils like Kirk Hammet (of Metallica) and Steve Vai you can tell how much he influenced rock. With 1987’s ‘Surfing With the Alien’ he amazed guitarists across the world with his virtuosity and musicianship. TRACK LISTNG 1. Surfing With the Alien – 4:25 2. Ice 9 – 3:25 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 The first three songs are all quite similar; they each have a simple, upbeat riff with Joe playing some stunning leads over the top. They are a mixture of blues, hard rock and fusion and all have ridiculously fast solos that leave you bewildered at how anyone can play... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Amazingly good and different for the era guitar playing
Disadvantages: no vocals, hard to relate to for non musicians

...Joe Satriani realeased "Surfing with the alien" Back in 1987 where it gained instant popularity in the underground music scene for its new style of easy listening legato (smooth) playing as well as the almost legendary solos. Joe satriani, known simply as SATCH! amongst his musical peers, gained huge respect for this album due to the diversity of the tracks and use of new or little known guitar techniques put to use with great effectiveness Track List 1. Surfing With The Alien- 4:25- This iconic opening track features wah-wah riffs far removed from anything else of its time and a almost legendary pull of solo, The Riff of this track makes it one of the most memorable songs on the album as well as one of the most technically brilliant 2. Ice-9 -3.59- This song is an example of how joe can build complex and beatiful melody... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Amazing songwriting, fantastic technical skills, easy to listen to
Disadvantages: Could bore non-guitar players

...Satch is indeed back, with yet another fine album, and yet again thankfully no singing! This is one of his better album's, really technical, and well written. This album contains some of Joe's best known work. Here we go then, the album list: Surfing With The Alien (4.25) The album track, and probably one of his best known song's. This song is reverred in the guitar world as it's pure technical prowess and songwriting skills outmatch most other guitarists. It's a nice heavy tune, wich launches us staraight into the action, Joe gives us a nice heavy riff before blasting in with his fantastic tone and a lead riff. The solo here show's us exactly what Joe's made of, and to be honest i think he's on speed cos there's no way anyone can play that fast! Rating:10/10 Ice 9 (3.59) One of my favorite's, an amazing rhythm part, and a really... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great cheap way to make friends and have a roof over your head
Disadvantages: Meeting and staying with strangers

...Have you ever surfed a couch?? I can see the puzzled looks on your faces right now, allow me to explain to you about the new backpacking phenomenon that is Couch Surfing! What is Couch Surfing? "Couch surfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding" (Mission statement from website) They strive to not only "Change the way we travel, but how we relate to the world" as well. Couch Surfing is a great website that has been created to help travellers on a budget find friends and free accommodation around the world. It also offers great online community where you can join discussion groups and talk to others about travel around the world. This enables you to meet new friends and engage in some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great fun, great exercise, Croyde is a good break, and a very nice summer resort to visit
Disadvantages: Can be dangerous if you are unfit, or unprepared

...I was lucky enough to be introduced to surfing at a very young age, living in the West Country where it’s easy to get to good quality, friendly surfing spots in reasonable time. I grew up on the North Devon coast; so playing in the water came naturally. At the age of 14 I was introduced to 'real' surfing, and haven't looked back since. Surfing, if you have the chance to do it is one of the best ways to keep fit and the feeling it gives you is just amazing, that you really need to try it for yourself. I would urge anyone just to give it a go, well worth it! As a really young kid I started surfing the waves on a bogie or belly board. This is a short foam board of about 4 foot long. It is very buoyant, and you never stand up, just lie down chest down and catch the wave. Belly boarding is great, its cheap and easy to learn, and you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good CGI, Good children's film.
Disadvantages: Not enough adult humour.

...My children and I went out to the local leisure centre today fully intending to go ice skating, unfortunately for them, I twisted my ankle on the way there (I have a weak ankle due to an accident a few years ago) and so skating was completely out of the question as children under 8yrs old must be accompanied by an adult on the rink. So to make it up to them both (who were extremely disappointed as they both love ice skating) we decided to go to the local cinema instead. There were a few films showing that were suitable, Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Bratz movie (son was not amused when I suggested this lol) and Surf's up. As we had already seen the Simpsons, and Harry Potter we opted for Surf's up by default. Surf's up is an animated cartoon film with a slight difference in that it is filmed to look like a documentary... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Educational, recreational, and loads of fun
Disadvantages: You might come across Angus

...Well another day, another play! I am delighted to complete my hat-trick of joint opinions with Karen, and we carefully selected (!) surfing the Internet as our crème de la crème; actually it was the only one that we could think of that Karen knew less about than me :o( As most people on here can probably surf the Net to a competent level, we decided not even to attempt to make a techie opinion, but more a light-hearted look at the activities of enthusiastic amateurs like ourselves. Surfing the Internet! What exactly does it mean? Visions of a fat bloke in boxers standing on the ironing board while tapping in web site addresses springs to mind, but that is however a general misconception. Below, I will give you a beginners guide to surfing the Internet. Karen, (Wiggglypufff) will fill you in on the stuff I forget!!! Surfing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Special Effects Are Ok
Disadvantages: Everything Else

...Aliens, Aliens Everywhere I've loved the Alien films for a long time and despite quite a few poor reviews I liked the first AVP film. At the end of the last film it was clear that they had left it open for a sequel with the infected predator giving birth to a alien/predator cross breed (as we all know Aliens take on the form of their hosts). The predators ship with mutant alien on board crashes in the only place it's possible for a ship to crash land on Earth, North America. In this case a small town in Colorado (of course). With plenty of hosts to infect the aliens can have a field day. Their only problem is one predator who comes to sort things out when he gets wind of what's happened, he is the fly in the ointment. Let the battle commence. Conclusion = Despite the poor reviews I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful