Supposedly each song is an interpretation of a look at life through the eyes of a spiritually awakened madman. The bizarre changes in style, tempo and sound can easily be associated with a deliberate depiction of schizoid emotions and split personality. Nevertheless, concept or no concept, 'Real Illusions: Reflections' is an adept CD from guitarist extraordinaire, Steve Vai, and his brilliant band, known as The Breed. (Some may have seen these guys on Clapton's recent Crossroads DVD. They put on one hell of a show.)

The Breed is: Tony MacAlpine (M.A.R.S., MacAlpine, solo) on guitar, keyboards, and vocals; Billy Sheehan (Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big) on bass and vocals; Jeremy Colson on drums and Dave Weiner on guitar. A slew of others helped in the making of the CD as well.

The mood is set with opener, 'Building The Church', a crunchy, rocked up track, in the tradition we've come to expect from Vai and his Ibanez JEM77. This one is proof also, of just how much he and Satch have in common, as teacher and student often appear to swap places at the top of the instrumental rock guitar world (No, Satch isn't on the CD. I just can't help comparing the two, especially on indisputable rock numbers).

'Dying For Your Love' is a theatrical arrangement, as orchestration and synth are what's happening here. It's also a Vai vocal track. Although his voice appears to be getting better, each vocal track takes a little getting used to.

'Glorious' takes the listener on a fast paced guitar extravaganza. The whole band is highlighted in this one. 'K'm-Pee-Du-We' is mood inciting and mellow, yet bursting with tone. 'Firewall' is another vocal track. It begins with some fancy, percussive-like scat. Though it revolves into something funky, with a lot of bass, brass, and hearty vocals, it all somehow confirms the fact that everything still takes a back seat to his 6-string flair, especially when the wailing begins. Not a bad track when you get used to it.

Following a fine sitar-sounding intro into 'Freak Show Excess', another show of hands ignites into an amazing arrangement of melody and a hefty amount of shredding through scales. It's like Zappa or Metheny on amphetamines, or as Vai hollers out midway through the song, "Meltdown!"

The next cut, 'Lotus Feet' (not to be confused with the John McLaughlin song by the same name), is recorded live with an orchestra, and is one of my favorite pieces on the CD. Recorded in Holland in 2004, it's an excellent solo effort from Vai, a memorable one at that. 'Yai Yai' is an interesting little ditty, more or less something rhythmical he came up with after throwing some chorus, flange, and tonal variations together. 'Midway Creatures' is another rocked up track, a fine collaboration by the whole band. 'I'm Your Secrets' is acoustical and vocal.

'Under It All' is a fine conclusion to the CD, and supposedly includes a variety of confessions and prayers within its lyrical content, mind blowing spoken confessions near the end as well.

This one just might end up a real contender for the greatness that 'Passion and Warfare' has held onto for the past fifteen years, definitely Steve Vai's best in quite a while anyway. The band as a whole has much to do with that. They're about as tight as a band can get.

Steve Vai: guitar, vocals, producer and engineer

The Breed:

Tony MacAlpine: guitar, keyboards, vocals
Billy Sheehan: bass and vocals
Dave Weiner: acoustic and electric guitar, sitar
Jeremy Colson: drums

Consult CD content for other musicians.

Links

Steve Vai
Amazon.com