Search - Steve Vai :: Flexable

A weird introduction to Steve's world

DreamScape | 02/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Vai owes so much to Frank Zappa, as Mike Keneally (another great guitarist/composer/instrumetist). If you pay attention to VAi's licks, there is a similarity between his and the late Frank ones. Melodies, rythm patterns, lyrics, weirdness, mood...lately, our man has improved a lot in those terms, and he had established a personal signature on his sound. Now he is a lot more than a Zappa alumni.
But, folks, this is 1984. There is no "Passion and warfare", no Whitesnake or DLR "arena rock" experience, no big deals but a tremendous amount of raw energy and inspiration.
He recruited some personel related with Zappa (Bob&Suzanah Harris, Tommy Mars,Chad Wackerman et al) and some of his best friends (the great Stu Hamm, Randy Coven,Billy James)and made a sort of a home movie or a low budget film in musical form.
AS he reminds in the liner notes, the actual sound is not the best around, but there is a lot of fun on it. Don't approach to this record with his post-Passion&Warfare flashy playing in mind. You will be dissapointed for sure.
Instead of that, try to listen and give time to this record. It is not an easy thing, but surely you will end up loving this record(as I did)
The beginnig is one of the most amusing pieces of music ever written (in my opinion):"Little green men". A munchkin "Walk on the wild side", in this piece we can find something that many people don't seem to know:Steve has a great sense of humor. The last rap of the song, accompanied background by the music of "Close encounters of third kind"cracks me up everytime I listen to it. You will never forget it!
Instrumental-guitar lovers: pay attention to "Viv woman" (a fantastic song beautifully played), "the attitude song", covered as well on the weak "G-3" record, a song that allows him to jam intensely live, "Call it sleep" and the greatest of them all: "Bledsoe blvd".This last song is like a picture of the inmediate future for Steve. An brief introduction to "Passion&Warfare" sound. A little "heavy" piece for an eclectic record as this. Orginally graced at the "Flex-able leftovers E.P".
If you like plain pop-rock, just listen to "Boy/girl song", "Junkie" (a nice ballad lacked of "something" that don't allow it to achieve a better status)or "Lovers are crazy", a song that was made with Bob&Suzannah Harris in mind.
Finally, if you are a Zappa fan, or just someone who likes avantgarde or experimental forms of music, try "Next stop Earth" (a part of a weird Space-opera that Steve planned to develope -something like an alien dialog-¿?),"There is something dead in here", "Chronic insomnia" (all instrumentals) and the most "risky"piece: "So happy", an improvisated speech by a friend of his and some of the weirdest music of all time at the background. He can even "double" the voice with the guitar, a tecnique that Vai would use a lot on Roth's tours.
The whole record is raw tecnically speaking, but it has a lot of good interpretations, solos, amusing moments and some memorable tunes. Some people overlook this Cd because is something like an "outside" record of Steve, but is enjoyable and unforgettable. It is actually one of my favorite records of him. I bought it when P&W was put out, because I was "hungry" of Vai's material, and I was a bit dissapointed, because I was a heavy/hard rock/guitar hardcore fan...but the test of time proved good to it and that is a reality.
Zappa fans will love it for sure. Thanks for your time."