Steve Vai
Sex & Religion

I know that 2 reviews have been published for this album, but neither of them reflects my opinion on this work, so I've decided to share my views on a good album by the excellent Steve Vai.

It was 1993 when the guitarist decided to bring this album to life, along with Devin Townsend (vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums), and T.M. Stevens (bass). This is a work profoundly different from his previous ones and probably leans towards a slightly more "easy-listening" style while maintaining a certain level of quality. Perhaps the problem with the album is that it lives in somewhat alternating phases, with some pauses between a good song and another and only two instrumental tracks. Another issue is Vai's chosen tracklisting, which isn't exactly "perfect"; for example, the two instrumental songs are placed one after the other, as are the two more commercial tracks.

But let's move on to the analysis of the individual tracks:

An Earth Dweller's Return: This track is more of an intro to the album and lasts only 1 minute and 3 seconds, opening the doors to the first true song. N/A

Here & Now: The opening is left to this song, which is also one of the best of the whole work; it's a fast and intense track where drummer Terry Bozzio and the voice of Townsend give a great performance. SCORE: 7+

In My Dreams With You: This is the perfect antithesis to the previous one. One of those songs that have been played billions of times on MTV, with fairly whiny lyrics, but it retains a decent melody that sticks easily. SCORE: 6.5

Still My Bleeding Heart: In my opinion, Still My Bleeding Heart is one of the best on the album. The chorus has an engaging acoustic guitar riff and valid vocal interpretation. The lyrics are good, as is Vai's solo. Excellent. SCORE: 8

Sex & Religion: To tell the truth, the title track doesn't shine much over the rest of the album and even comes off as fairly anonymous. Nothing terrible, it can be easily listened to, it has a nice riff in the verse, but it's not one of those songs that captures the listener. SCORE: 6.5

Dirty Black Hole: Another decent, fast, and catchy piece but from someone like Steve Vai, maybe, one expects a bit more: 6+

Touching Tongues: Here we are. This is the true absolute masterpiece of Vai's work. A stunning instrumental that, in just over 5 minutes, makes us touch the sky with a finger only to gently bring us back to earth. A continuous and uninterrupted guitar solo almost takes us back to the wonderful era of "Passion & Warfare". Truly superb: score 9-- (I don't give a full 9 because I think the only Vai song deserving of the top score is "For The Love of God")

State of Grace: This is the second instrumental of the work. In its 1 minute and 46 seconds, with its particular Arabian melodies, it manages to create great pathos and emotions. It's a shame it lasts so little. SCORE: 7/8

Survive: Townsend's stifled scream opens this song, which starts with strange choirs that seem taken directly from movies about American Indians. Otherwise, it seems a bit like the younger sister of "Still My Bleeding Heart" even if a bit more rocking. Decent track. SCORE: 7-

Pig: If "Touching Tongues" is the highest point of the album, surely this "Pig" is the lowest. Without a doubt the worst song on the album. A filler: 4

The Road to Mt. Calvary: This is an interlude that serves mainly to create the right atmosphere for the next song. Indeed, amidst screams, thunder, and indecipherable noises, we arrive at "Down Deep Into The Pain". N/A

Down Deep into the Pain: Absolutely the most metal track on the entire album along with "Here and Now" and "Sex and Religion". Townsend seems like a maniac in the first part of the chorus, and the (very good) performance of all four musicians manages to convey the right energy to an audience that, perhaps used to hearing more "substantial" stuff, was a bit bored. Well done. SCORE: 7+

Rescue Me or Bury Me: Rescue me or bury me. This is the title of the last and longest track on the album. In my opinion, it's the second best-executed track of the album. It opens with a suggestive acoustic guitar intro that progresses slowly and harmoniously with the excellent accompaniment of a piano, up until the twenty-fifth second of the eighth minute of this emotional song. Tear-jerking. SCORE: 8+

The album deserves 3 stars overall, but I give it 4 considering the presence of songs like "Touching Tongues", "Rescue Me or Bury Me", and "Still My Bleeding Heart" which, alongside the not-so-brilliant rest, are worth at least a full star.