Author Topic: Steve Vai's new album, The Story of Light (Read 2333 times)

Cedar redaC · « **on:** August 14, 2012, 04:48:18 PM »

I just bought it at my local record store (today's the release day), and I've already played a few times. This is a great album, kind of like Passion and Warfare, but more Vai-sounding, if you know what I mean. Did anyone else get this album, and what do you think?

Ben_Jamin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2012, 04:51:56 PM »

I didn't know its out.

wolfking · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2012, 04:58:59 PM »

I think it's only officially released today. I will hopefully pick up my copy on the weekend.

Cedar redaC · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2012, 05:06:32 PM »

I didn't even know it had been released until today when I saw it on Steve's Facebook page. After reading about it, I headed over to my record store and what do you know, they had it, so I simply had to get it.

wolfking · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2012, 05:11:35 PM »

Did you get the version with the DVD?

Cedar redaC · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2012, 05:45:34 PM »

No, just the CD. The DVD is probably really cool though

Bill Carson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2012, 05:57:41 AM »

I have to wait until next month before its released in the UK

a51502112 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2012, 09:18:12 AM »

What's on the DVD?

rogerdil · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2012, 11:04:39 AM »

Hmm, has a RYM rating significantly higher than Real Illusions: Reflections (although still early yet). Will have to check out. Didn't care much for RI:R. edit: wasn't blown away by albeit first listen.

Lowdz · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2012, 02:00:41 PM »

Quote from: a51502112 on August 15, 2012, 09:18:12 AM

What's on the DVD?

According to Vai.com it says an interview with SV talking about the album.

wolfking · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2012, 05:19:12 AM »

Quote from: Lowdz on August 15, 2012, 02:00:41 PM

Quote from: a51502112 on August 15, 2012, 09:18:12 AM
What's on the DVD?

According to Vai.com it says an interview with SV talking about the album.

I wonder how long the interview is.

I went out today and they only had the standard edition in store, damn. I decided to hold off until next weekend to see if the special edition comes in stock. Plus I didn't know what was on it, so since it's only an interview, depending on how long it is, I will probably just buy the regular edition next week if the special isn't there. I thought there might have been some live or studio footage.

YtseJamittaja · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:19:56 PM »

Listened it once, not really impressed. Really typical Vai sounds. There's no any really strong song on the album.

Ben_Jamin · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:21:49 PM »

Quote from: YtseJamittaja on August 19, 2012, 01:19:56 PM

Listened it once, not really impressed. Really typical Vai sounds. There's no any really strong song on the album.

What were you expecting?

rumborak · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:34:47 PM »

I used to be a huge Vai devotee, but I kinda lost interest around Fire Garden.
Interestingly, one of my favorite tracks of his never was on a proper album: "Get the hell out of there".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFrjHNo-8pU

wolfking · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2012, 07:47:12 PM »

Yeha, that's a good one.

I sort of lost interest after Ultra Zone, which was still really good. The last one was okay, but nothing really stuck. I think this new one will be the same, but not expecting anything different.

WebRaider · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2012, 06:29:02 AM »

I'm a fan of many guitar instrumentalists and I find that generally I enjoy several songs off a release and just go with that. Not sure if it's an attention thing or what... Anyhow I have always enjoyed lots of what Vai brings to the table, I don't expect a whole lot different from his solo releases but find some stuff that sticks each time. Right away off the new one I like "The Moon and I" and "Weeping China Doll".

Cedar redaC · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2012, 06:43:10 AM »

Quote from: WebRaider on August 20, 2012, 06:29:02 AM

I'm a fan of many guitar instrumentalists and I find that generally I enjoy several songs off a release and just go with that. Not sure if it's an attention thing or what... Anyhow I have always enjoyed lots of what Vai brings to the table, I don't expect a whole lot different from his solo releases but find some stuff that sticks each time. Right away off the new one I like "The Moon and I" and "Weeping China Doll".

Weeping China Doll was awesome!

wolfking · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2012, 08:18:53 PM »

Alright, I have listened through this album once, and I must say, it was very enjoyable. I don't think it will have much lasting power with me, but it's a good effort for someone this far into their career. The vocal songs were interesting and worked really well IMO.

The only thing I will say is that some of the longer songs felt like they lacked structure. For 2 or 3 of the songs, it just felt like Steve was improvising for a few minutes without any real direction. Still enjoyable, but nothing really magical like on Passion and Warefare or Fire Garden.

PixelDream · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2012, 09:04:11 AM »

The thing that puts me off this time is the even more sterile production. Real Illusions was Pro Tools mania, but this is even worse. 'Gravity Storm' lacks any power.. where is the meat in this production? I don't feel it.

wolfking · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:48:22 PM »

I didn't really have a problem with the production at all to be honest.

Bill Carson · « **Reply #20 on:** September 05, 2012, 08:06:40 AM »

I hear you on the production side, I've been hoping since Sex & Religion that he would get someone else in to produce his albums.
Guess he's too much of a control freak to let that happen.

YtseJamittaja · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2012, 11:43:37 AM »

Quote from: Ben_Jamin on August 19, 2012, 01:21:49 PM

Quote from: YtseJamittaja on August 19, 2012, 01:19:56 PM
Listened it once, not really impressed. Really typical Vai sounds. There's no any really strong song on the album.

What were you expecting?

Some strong heavy and melodic songs which stick to my head. Weeping China Doll is only song I liked. Maybe I'm a little bit tired of listening to Vai.

pain of occupation · « **Reply #22 on:** September 05, 2012, 01:54:40 PM »

not sure how i havent had anything to say yet. spun it quite afew times already. Real Illusions:Reflections left me with high expectations that werent quite met. but it's still good, it's still good.
i'll think about it some more and come up with a concrete statement or two.

side note: how did rumby (and others{?}) lose interest around Fire Garden?!! to me, that (and the ultra zone) is where vai was finally coming into his own. sure, P&W is sick (and a fan favorite), but FG and TUZ are, i'd say, more representative of his overall sound/songwriting/voice/whatever. and what a good sound/songwriting/voice/whatever it is.

wolfking · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2012, 05:25:28 AM »

Ultra Zone was the last really great Steve Vai record. Everything after that has been declining in quality. I would still love to hear studio versions of some of the Alive in the Ultra World songs.

pain of occupation · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2012, 02:22:04 PM »

Quote from: wolfking on September 06, 2012, 05:25:28 AM

I would still love to hear studio versions of some of the Alive in the Ultra World songs.

this!

based on a comment in the liners, i was under the impression he would do a second round of world music. got to speak to him on the real illusions tour, and he was pretty much, "fuck no". apparently it was quite the undertaking.

Kotowboy · « **Reply #25 on:** September 07, 2012, 07:54:08 AM »

Not a Vai fan - the last two "guitarist" albums I liked were Suspended Animation and one of Paul Gilbert's.. Can't remember the name...

Kotowboy · « **Reply #26 on:** September 07, 2012, 07:57:00 AM »

...
Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar - Thanks Wiki !

pain of occupation · « **Reply #27 on:** September 07, 2012, 08:21:06 PM »

not as into 'guitarist albums' as i was back in the day. but i did like marty friedman's album quite a bit last year. spun tony mac's latest a decent bit, too.

r0cken · « **Reply #28 on:** October 31, 2012, 05:23:27 AM »

Apart from the first track that I always skip because of the chatter in Russian (which I happen to understand), this is a good album. Vai tried some new things here, and some parts actually managed to surprise me. I have to spin it a few more times though.

Was also happy to see it offered as a digital download on his site. More artists should do this (there are still countries with no iTunes access).

Mladen · « **Reply #29 on:** November 01, 2012, 06:52:00 AM »

Saw this guy live two days ago and he blew me away.

News: Track-by-track video for Untethered Angel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Co1_h0GtAw

Author Topic: Steve Vai's new album, The Story of Light (Read 2333 times)