Universe (Planet X album)

Universe
Universe
Studio album by Planet X
Released	June 6, 2000
Studio	The Leopard Room, Hollywood Hills
Genre	Instrumental rock; progressive metal; jazz fusion;
Length	56:16
Label	Inside Out
Producer	Planet X
Planet X chronology

Universe is the first studio album by the instrumental rock/progressive metal band Planet X, released on June 6, 2000 through Inside Out Music.^[1] The album is essentially a continuation of keyboardist Derek Sherinian's 1999 debut solo release Planet X, but this time as a full band effort featuring guitarist Tony MacAlpine and drummer Virgil Donati.

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
All About Jazz	^[2]
AllMusic	^[3]

Glenn Astarita at All About Jazz gave Universe a positive review, recommending it for both "technically inclined prog-heads" and "those who feel that they've heard it all." He praised each musician for their technical prowess, but remarked that it was sometimes difficult to differentiate between MacAlpine's guitar and Sherinian's keyboard.^[2]

Robert Taylor at AllMusic gave Universe four stars out of five, saying that "Some of the selections tend to sound the same, but the inventive soloing of each player more than makes up it" and calling it "A fine effort by a very powerful trio".^[3]

Track listing[]

All music is composed by Virgil Donati, Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian, except where noted.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Clonus"	4:15
2.	"Her Animal"	4:50
3.	"Dog Boots" (Donati)	3:36
4.	"Bitch" (Donati)	5:20
5.	"King of the Universe" (lyrics: Dick Smothers Jr.)	8:16
6.	"Inside Black"	5:12
7.	"Europa"	4:20
8.	"Warfinger"	5:38
9.	"Chocalate"	5:22
10.	"Pods of Trance"	4:48
11.	"2116"	4:39
Total length:		56:16

Personnel[]

Tony MacAlpine – guitar, production
Derek Sherinian – keyboard, production
Virgil Donati – drums, production
Tom Kennedy – bass
Dick Smothers Jr. – spoken vocals (track 5)
Albert Law – engineering
T. J. Helmerich – engineering
Greg D'Angelo – engineering
Tom Fletcher – mixing
Gene Grimaldi – mastering

References[]

^ "Discography" Archived 2013-01-05 at archive.today. xplanetx.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Astarita, Glenn (2000-09-01). "Planet X: Universe". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Taylor, Robert. "Universe - Planet X". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2015-01-30.

External links[]

In Review: Planet X "Universe" at Guitar Nine Records

[release-1] "Discography" Archived 2013-01-05 at archive.today. xplanetx.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30.

[aaj1-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b Astarita, Glenn (2000-09-01). "Planet X: Universe". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2015-01-30.

[allmusic-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b Taylor, Robert. "Universe - Planet X". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2015-01-30.

[1]

[2]

[3]

show v t Planet X
Founding members	Derek Sherinian Virgil Donati
Past members	Tony MacAlpine Doug Shreeve
Guests	Brett Garsed Alex Machacek T. J. Helmerich Allan Holdsworth Tom Kennedy Dave LaRue Jimmy Johnson Billy Sheehan Ric Fierabracci Philip Bynoe Rufus Philpot
Discography	Universe Live from Oz MoonBabies Quantum

show v t Tony MacAlpine
Studio albums	Edge of Insanity Maximum Security Eyes of the World Freedom to Fly Madness Premonition Evolution Violent Machine Master of Paradise Chromaticity Tony MacAlpine Concrete Gardens Death of Roses
Live albums	Live Insanity
Compilations	Collection: The Shrapnel Years
Related articles	Project: Driver CAB Planet X G3 Seven the Hardway Ring of Fire

show v t Derek Sherinian
Primary guest musicians	Joe Bonamassa Virgil Donati Tony Franklin Brett Garsed Jerry Goodman Allan Holdsworth Jimmy Johnson Steve Lukather Yngwie Malmsteen Marco Mendoza Al Di Meola Simon Phillips Billy Sheehan Steve Stevens Brian Tichy Zakk Wylde John Petrucci Djivan Gasparyan Billy Idol Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
Discography	Planet X Inertia Black Utopia Mythology Blood of the Snake Molecular Heinosity Oceana The Phoenix
Associated acts	Planet X Dream Theater Platypus Jughead Billy Idol Alice Cooper Black Country Communion Sons of Apollo