The Story of Light - Steve Vai

This is the 9th studio album by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. I remember when I heard about this album, I was anticipating it's release. I was really into what it might sound like.... then I saw the cover. Now I appreciate it a lot more and thing it's kinda cool and fits the album, but back then I was an ignorant asshole sod I decided not to check it out. Now about 6 months short of 3 years later, I finally give it a spin. Well I did an informal review first time through and realized how good it was, then decided to give it multiple listens.

1. The Story of Light: This song starts out the album and it has this foreign language voice that reminds me a ton of Scary Monsters' opener. You know what this track really reminds me of, oddly enough, Trance-Fusion. That's the 1988 tour solos album released 2006 by Zappa. Now Vai played with Frank back in the early 80's. Like I think from 1980-1981, no later than 82.
2. Velorum: So far this album sounds very reminiscent of the 80's for me. Now this isn't a bad thing, this is a very triumphant album thus far. After the intro starts I hear beautiful strings that are just gorgeous. If the album keeps this up it's bound to at least get an 8. I casually listen to Buckethead's 2010 series The Pike where now he's one like 110. This track sounds like it could fit, following the strings, on one of those albums very easily, or at least one of the ones I've heard. Also I really dig that like double solo towards the ending, reminds me a bit of Inca's Road.
3. John The Revelator: This song title sounds like a Priest or Yngwie song. This is also one of two tracks that features Beverly McClellan who I think was, according to her discography, on The Voice. This song opens with a sample, or what sounds like one. I assume it's Steve singing, but it reminds me of Axel's when he does that deep vocal harmony thing on tracks like Pretty Tied Up or Colma. You know, this is just an ok track, it's not as good as one of the other two before it. This not as cool 
4. Book of the Seven Seals: This track segues from the last track and this is actually more engaging then the prior, and actually it's more gospel. I had my guitar and played a solo along and got so into that track, I can't really remember what happened.
5. Creamsicle Sunset: A very approprate title for a track that sounds like it was recorded with a possible Hawaiian flavor to it. This also sounds a lot like, to me, Zoot Allures' title track. This is a great choice to follow that intense soulful track. This is a very mellow track that I just wanna fall asleep to, I really do feel like I'm st
6. Gravity Storm: This sounds like that classic Vai that I know. I can't quite put my finger on what the riff reminds me of, but when I do, I will say what it is. I like that the soloing isn't the sole focus on this track. The elecytronics here are nice, and this just is a pretty solid track over all. I mean 
7. Mullach a'tSi: This is a traditional Irish lullaby. I don't really like Irish things, but thats a little beside the point. This sounds very oriental in the intro to me. This title is very odd, but what ever. I really like this it's very relaxing. I also love that I picked up on the harp in the track. I love harp :)
8. The Moon and I: I guess this was originally released in 2010 but was remixed for this album. This reminds me of another type of mellow song in the realm of ZA. This also sounds very 80's esque. This is a nice relaxing track and feels like a pleasant little instrument (with vocals). I wish there weren't vocals but I think it might run a little long.
9. Weeping China Doll: This track really reminds me a ton, I mean a ton, of For The Love Of God. I really like the acoustic guitar sounding steel things right before the 2nd solo starts up. I really don't know what to say about this track. It's nice, but nothing new or special to add to this album.
10. Racing the World: This has a nice change of pace, kind of, feeling to it. I wish the last trackwas cut and replaced with this instead, but you know it's all good. There is a bit of a Madden sound track feeling to this song. But you know.
11. No More Amsterdam: Steve sings on this track. It's okay, I mean I really don't have much to say.
12. Sunshine Electric Raindrops: Closing the album is a tune that's okay, I mean at this point it isn't special. It's just kind of a tune. Nice solo thought

Overall I have to give this album a 7/10. I need this album, and would go back in time and kick my ass to get it. I mean upon second time through it isn't a mind blowing, but you know it's okay. I still tink it's better than I expected, but yeah. Check it out if your so inclined.

Colma - Buckethead

The first time I'd ever heard of Buckethead was when his song Jordan was in Guitar Hero II, when the game first came out. I remember seeing him with a KFC bucket on top of his head and he was wearing a white emotionless mask. And behind him was two people dressed up as chickens. That was very odd to me but at the same time it was and awesome song. The song was a competition of who could get farther or who could beat the song on expert, and also what his real face looked like. I remember trying to do it, but eventually another Guitar Hero: Rock the 80's came out, which I got the day it came out, and so on. I was addicted to those games and because of that I barley play them anymore, with exception of family parties or hanging out. I have become interested in what Buckethead does because, like Frank Zappa, he uses Xenochrony.  Xenochrony is basically recycling old parts of songs for new songs and changing them. But he also has like 50+ albums he's been on in like 20 years. I respect that... a lot, even if some of it was with a Les Claypool side project. Now as I had said that I am not really qualified to review a Buckethead album because I don't really know much by him, I do though like the song Big Sur Moon so that is a good reason to listen to it. I already heard like up to that song on the album a little bit ago so I want to voice my opinion on it correctly this time around. So I will listen to it probably twice. Really fast I love the fact that he made this album softer for his mom because she has colon cancer at the time. I do want to say that I did give this a gap between finishing up the album.

1. Whitewash: The drum beat to this song is simple. I love the delay on the guitar and the feel of the bass or what ever backing atmosphere. This is a sweet song and its very laid back. I've heard some of Buckethead's stuff, not like a ton, but it is more aggressive and fast. This is a song that you can just relax to and sit back. This is a song I could see on Comcast Music Choice for smooth jazz kinda. I don't exactly how to back my self up with that but that's what I picture.
2. For Mom: I love this title to a song. This is another pretty song. Imagine how much it meant to his mom when she saw a song called For Mom. This is a song that defiantly makes me cry. The solo in the song is beautiful. And the drumbeat keeps it going. This almost reminds me of some type of classical piece. The acoustic guitar solos throughout this track make me want to cry when I pay attention to their beauty.
3. Ghost: This is another song I could see on the Comcast Music Choice for Smooth Jazz. It is pretty but the second time I heard this I'm still not a huge fan. I do though very much like the solo type thing that comes in at like 2 minutes into it. I hope that that solo can save this song for me. I do love the end of the song where it is chords and the solo fades out while the chords fade in.
4. Hills Of Eternity:This is another pretty song. The one thing about it though it that it is beginning to get a little repetitive. And by that I could see this all being one rehearsal for one song except there is different improve for the song, but not that different.
5. Big Sur Moon: This and For Mom are my two favorite tracks. I love this fricken song. It's only like 2 minutes long but it is one of the sickest songs I heard. I love the delay but not only that the background sounds that you hear with headphones. The way it moves back and forth between ears, left to right. It also sounds like a surf rock type of song. By far the best song.
6. Machete: I could know of see this being an Enigma song. Either that or some song that would be in a movie where it's like a spy. A movie where they are walking in a Casino and about to steal the money. Something like that. This song is pretty smooth.
7. Wishing Well: This song has this kind of country twang to it. I think that it's kind of pretty sounding. This solo kind of reminds me a little of Santana.
8. Lone Sal Bug: This is also a pretty sweet song. I don't really think there is much difference between any of the tracks. At least, it's hard to tell.
9. Santum: This song has a little more distortion to the guitar then some of the other tracks.
10. Wondering: This is a pretty song. It's not that different than anyother track, but yeah.
11. Watching the Boats with My Dad: This is a pretty neat song. I think it's fine. I don't think it's anything special sounding, but I still think it's Ok.
12. Ghost/Part 2: I didn't think much of this.
13. Colma: The atmosphere and sound of this song is one of something that would be like recorded in a church. It gives it this eerie feeling to it. It also has record crackles in the background to make it sound like an old school record.

Overall this album was ok. I'd give it a 5/10. I didn't like it as much as I wanted to but I did have a certain expectation. I hope that this grows on me but as of now I have to say its too repetitive for me. And I sat through 12 hours of 7 Skies 3H. The soloing to the songs are pretty but some of the repetition are just too much. I had to turn the album off twice. TWICE. I don't know, I just kind of think this is a dull album. Maybe with some more listens I'll like it more. But, realistically, I don't even think I'll remember this album. The one thing about this album thought it it obviously have memories for Buckethead and it seems all the tracks are named after some childhood memory. His mom must have loved this. This is a meaningful album, but not to me. I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT THAT HE DID THIS, but I'm just not a fan of the music on it.