Reviewed: December 2009
Released: 2009, Favoured Nation
Rating: 2.5/5
Reviewer: JP
Launched on the 25th anniversary of his debut solo album, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is Steve Vai’s 20th solo release. It is actually his fourth live album and it seems a bit unnecessary as it comes right on the heels of a live record in 2004 and another live platter in 2007.
Vai fans will eat it up but the record suffers from a few major flaws. Primarily, it is only part of the concert. The album culls 15 cuts from the original 2 hour, 40 min show and condenses it down to 77 minutes. So once again the fans who weren’t there for the concert, get punished and get to hear only part of the show. The disc is already packaged and pressed, is it that hard to include the entire concert with the tracks in the right sequence? Is that too much to ask?
The presentation is pretty low-key, not much information is provided. Steve Vai has continued his somewhat odd tradition of debuting new songs on a live album. We get a few new tracks but those are mostly throw-away cuts clocking in at under two minutes each. Fortunately there is no song duplication from the last couple of live albums so at least there is one positive. The production and performance is immaculate as is always the case, great songs, great show but for collectors only.
Videos
No Videos Available
Track Listing:
1. Paint Me Your Face
2. Now We Run
3. Oooo
4, Building The Church
5. Tender Surrender
6. Band Intros
7. Fire Wall
8. Freak Show Excess
9. Die To Live
10. All About Eve
11. Gary 7
12. Treasure Island
13. Angel Food
14. Taurus Bulba
15. Par Brahm
Lineup:
Steve Vai (Guitars, Vocals)
Bryan Beeler (Bass)
Jeremy Colson (Drums)
Dave Weiner (Guitar, Sitar)
Alex Dupue (Violin, Keyboards)
Ann Marie Calhoun (Violin, Keyboards)
Zack Wesinger (Lap Steel)
Websites:
