FLEX-ABLE

This album, Steve Vai's first solo album, is not like the rest of his catalog. Sure, there are some unbelievable guitar solos, but a large number of the tracks are poppish vocal songs. Probably because the album came just after Vai's stint in Frank Zappa's band, the album has quite a bit of Zappa influenced music. I would even say that for all of the albums by Zappa alumni, this is one of the most Zappa-like. So, if you like Zappa's music, you will probably like this as well.

Highlights? Well, all of Vai's solos are incredible, but there are some songs that deserve special mention. Little Green Men sounds like a sequel to Zappa's alien visitation opus, Inca Roads, both in subject matter and tone. And Junkie is graced by a solo that just cuts right through you.

But the most magnificent piece on the album is The Attitude Song. This song, released before the album as a flexi-single in Guitar Player magazine, is a shredding showcase of just what a powerhouse guitarist Vai is. And it still may be his most jaw dropping recording ever. And that's saying a lot.

The CD version has a few songs from the "Flex-Able Leftovers" record (later expanded into a full length CD). They add some length to the album, but you can hear why they were leftovers, although I like Bledsoe Bluvd, with Tommy Mars.