PASSION AND WARFARE

This is may favourite album of Mr. Vai. Ok, is not a prog album but some songs are really great. Wandering thru' a lot of different styles, Mr. Vai made a solid album with a superb work on guitars -of course- and interesting arrangements based most of the time on the talented bassist Stuart Hamm and the drums of Chris Frazier. The album stars with an epic metal piece (Liberty) as an intro to "Erotic Nightmares", maybe the best song of the album. "The Animal" is another heavy songs with some drops of blues and a powerful rhytmical base. "Answers" and "The Riddle" are just one melodical and -again- heavy piece with some extraordinary guitar solos.

"For the Love of God" is almost a metal ballad, maybe one of the most beautiful made in the last 15 years. "The Audience is Listening" is another great song that reminds me "Hot for the Teacher" (Van Halen) but much more heavy. From "I Would Love To" to "Love Secrets", Steve plays with improvisations and very weird sounds, ending the album with another of his divine observations.

Well, is not a masterpiece but its a very interesting way to discover the awsome talents of Mr. Vai as guitarist and composer.

31/2*