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Steve Vai - Vai: Sex & Religion CD (album) cover

VAI: SEX & RELIGION

Steve Vai

 

Prog Related

3.18 | 108 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Supposed to be titled Dirty Black Hole .

Steve Vai has never been in my attention even though I have purchased almost all of his albums. Someone asked me to spin the CD, especially "Sex and Religion" and give my comments. Well, I am trying to put down my comments on this album.

The opening track "An Earth Dweller's Return" (1:03) serves as an overture with guitar solo in howling mode. It creates a promising nuance for the music. I really like this overture because it does rock! It then flows to energetic music in relatively fast tempo with "Here & Now" (4:47). I can hear clearly how good Vai's guitar work is. Devin Townsend vocal enters the music with his powerful tiny vocal line. Bass guitar is played in the vein like those played by Stanley Clarke. Steve Vai gives his guitar solo during music interlude - it's a stunning guitar solo. The next track "In My Dreams With You" (5:00) sounds like a programmed music with some sampling.

"Still My Bleeding Heart" (6:00) opens with an acoustic guitar fills followed by a groovy music which relies its pillar on riffs created from bass guitar work combined with acoustic guitar. The title track "Sex & Religion" (4:24) kicks off with Vai's guitar riffs but the music flows like a pop song and nothing likes rock music at all. It's quite disappointing with the fact that this is the album title track which supposed to be a well composed, well-written track. I can not find something beautiful from this a bit boring track.

"Dirty Black Hole" (4:27) has an interesting opening with music that bashes off with nice riffs followed with relatively fast tempo music accompanying high register notes vocal line. This song is quite energetic and as far as a listener, not a great fan of Vai, I would rather put this title as album name because it's much more attractive, musically than Sex & Religion. So, how about that Mr. Vai?

"Touching Tongues" (4:33) is a mellow song with guitar as lead melody. I think, Vai's guitar solo is good even though nothing special to my ears. It's probably the parts which sound like keyboard are the best parts. "Survive" (4:46) combines guitar effects and groovy music. It has vocal line and tight bass lines like Stanley Clarke's style. "Deep Down Into The Pain" (8:01) is essentially a rockin' track with unique guitar work and vocal line. "Rescue Me Or Bury Me" (8:25) has a good acoustic guitar work plus some guitar solo.

Overall, this is not a bad album at all but I do not consider something really unique from all songs offered in this album. It's probably this is not the kind of music that I enjoy most. Some people consider that this album as Vai's best album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild ...

Gatot | 3/5 |

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