FLEX-ABLE LEFTOVERS

A bizzare, eclectic and eccentric collection of some of Steve Vai's weirdest and most experimental musings. If you aren't already a Steve Vai fan, turn back now. If you've heard lots of his other material and want to get a better insight into the man behind the music, read on. "Flex-Able Leftovers" contains a wide range of musical styles, with some simpler, relatively melodic numbers interspersed with more abstract, sometimes humorous pieces. I'm not really a fan of the latter ones but there is good material to be found . Some of my favourites are the hard rock shredder "Massacre" and the acoustic "Burnin' Down The Mountain". There are some more complex songs that are also of interest, such as "Bledsoe Bluvd.", which reminds me of some Canterbury Scene music and "The X-Equalibrium Dance", which has such an erratic drum part that would give Bill Bruford a run for his money. I believe that the best song on the album is the primal hard rock "Natural Born Boy", which is a quality song that wouldn't be out of place on "Alien Love Secrets". The real prize that comes with owning this album are the CD's liner notes; Steve writes out little anecdotes, stories and descriptions about each of the album's songs, which makes for a riveting read.

"Flex-Able Leftovers" is a gold mine for any serious Steve Vai fan but will have very little allure to anyone not acquainted with his art.