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

VAI: SEX & RELIGION

Steve Vai

 

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3.18 | 108 ratings

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The Crow
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Just my favourite Steve Vai album!

Ok, I've not have heard all his studio albums yet, but "Sex & Religion" is just great... In this album, the awesome guitarist made a true band, and we can hear it through the songs. They sound really cohesionated, with protagonism of every insturment, not only the Vai's guitar.

And of course, here we have also the Devin Townsend's presence... It's his first official recording, and he has only 21 years, but he sounds really mature. His singing is just savage here! So variated as he would later offer us in his albums, but less restrictied, totally wild, sounding really spectacular. And Steve Vai gave him a lot of protagonism, letting his voice and screams sound in almost every second. For die hard Vai's fans, it can be annoying... But I really enjoy Townsend's voice, so I find it just great!

Nevertheless, people who want to enjoy the Steve Vai's guitar playing, will also have lots of reason of hearing this album... On every song we can enjoy the incredible speed of his fingers (he is the fastest guitarist in the world...), and his adventorous guitar tricks and melodies. You just have to hear the guitar solo in Here & Now... Songs like Touching Tongues and Rescue Me or Bury Me are perfect examples of his instrumental side, while in the rockier track his playing is also very enjoyable to fans of virtuoso guitar.

Best tracks: I really like every track in the album... I think every song has enough details and interest to be enjoyed. The rockier and hard rock oriented tracks (Here & Now, Sex and Religion, Survive...) the poppier ones (In my Dreams With You, Still My Bleeding Heart...) , the instrumentals and the most experimentals and proggier (Down Deep Into The Pain, Pig...) are great!

Conclusion: if you are a fan of virtuous guitar playing, experimental hard rock, or just good rock music... You should give "Sex & Religion" an opportunity. The hard rock and pop orientation (Desmond Child helped with In My Dreams With You) are also special in the Vai's discography... Mainly because Steve Vai was able to form a real band for this one, and it's noticeable in the protagonism of every instrument, and the very valuable presence of the awesome Devin Townsend, who was an essential part of the soul of this album. Strongly recommended!

My rating: ****1/2

The Crow | 4/5 |

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