Steve Vai Real Illusions: Reflections

Guitar hero Steve Vai, returns with the first installment of a reported three part, guitar-driven, rock musical, “Real Illusions: Reflections”. The album, his first studio album of new material since 1999’s “Ultra Zone”, is an amazingly dense recording that requires quite a few playbacks to ‘get’ what Vai is saying. Being an artist that is known to go over the top, you could say that about much of his past work but even more so with “Real Illusions”. Having been a Steve Vai fan since 1986, I found this album off-putting at first, but fear not; those with brave ears will be rewarded as layer after multiple layers of this complex work reveal themselves with repeated listening.

The album features four vocal tunes out of the eleven tracks and while they are fine tracks, the instrumentals are where Vai REALLY sings! The ironically titled “Freak Show Excess” is quite the fretboard showcase with its exotic melody and almost impossibly fast melodic passages. With a running time of close to seven minutes, the track also ventures into some cool, Latin-sounding breakdowns featuring tasteful bass work from longtime Vai cohort, Billy Sheehan. While “K’m-Pee-Du-Wee”, wins the award for “Most Bizarre Song Title”, the track is actually one of the most straight-forward sounding on the album being a sweet, melodically driven piece. The seventh song of every Vai album is always a treat for fans as there is a significant spiritual theme behind them that makes for the center piece of their respected albums. “Lotus Feet” is no exception to this tradition but this time, Vai teams with a full orchestra, The Metropole Orkest of Holland. Throughout this piece, the intimacy, and command over, his instrument is downright scary; from the exquisite melodies to its thrilling climax, “Lotus Feet” is nothing short of exhilarating.

So, what is this ‘rock opera’ about? Who the hell knows aside from Mr. Vai! The text in the CD booklet is no help at all in deciphering the convoluted storyline so just concentrate on the tunes and you’ll do just fine. Give this one a chance, those who keep listening will be well rewarded – I was.