Flex-Able Leftovers

Steve Vai | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Epic
• ASIN: B00000DHS3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Shred

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (A MORE DETAILED REVIEW), December 4, 2001

By 

Devon, "Duke Of Dunbar" (Calgary, Alberta CANADA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flex-Able Leftovers (Audio CD)

It's a real shame that so many people don't appreciate GOOD music
when they hear it, and have the sort of attitude like, " (I) don't like it, so that means it (*&%#)". Well, whatever. I'm not gonna go off like other people, telling you that you SHOULD like this record. I mean, it's perfectly alright if don't you dig this, but it ISN'T alright if you start badmouthing the quality and musical merit of it. The material on this album is actually really good, and really CREATIVE. The reason i would more respect for than say, "Alien Love Secrets", is that it showcases Mr. Vai's talents in more areas than just on the guitar (although some of the more inspired guitar i have ever heard from shows up on a couple of tracks on this disc). Perhaps a track-by-track overview of the album would help give a better impression of what one can expect to hear:

1.#$%@ Yourself - funky, and freakin' hilarious. This is one of the album's vocal-led tracks, containing some very, very humourous lyrics. Personally, this is one of my least favourates on the album, because while the lyrics WILL have you on the ground in hysterics, the words just aren't backed up by all that great of music. But, if you hang on till the end, theres quite a nice extended gtr. solo that should fulfill those wanting to hear some grade A shredding. This track is the reason for the "explicit lyrics" labeling.

2. So Happy - This one also falls under the freakin' hilarious category. Here's roughly the story of what this track is all about: basically, Steve got this chick to go off on an improvised rant about how happy she is, and then transcribed the pitch of her voice and doubled it on guitar. This is the kind of thing that doesn't lend itself very well to repeated listening, but each time you listen, and suddenly hear that guitar come in, you can't help but marvel at how cool of an idea it was.

3. Bledsoe Bluvd. - instrumental. No, not a guitar instrumental, but this is a rather nice track, showcasing Steve's talents as an all around composer.

4.Natural Born Boy - Instrumental. Yes, a guitar instrumental, containing one of the coolest riffs ever. I KNOW you'll like at LEAST this one.

5.Details At 10 - a vocal-led track that would probably also fall under the freakin' hilarious category. You'll like it.

6. Massacre - Another one of the coolest riffs ever, over which Vai messes around with what sounds like a Digetec Whammy pedal. Underlined by technoy drum machine beat (don't let throw you off).

7. Burnin' Down the Mountain - acoustic instrumental. Apperently this was just improvised while sitting on the roof of the studio with a few other people who were there for the album sessions. It's got kind of a nice little melody, but it's a very personal track, for Steve, and the others who made it; it really should've been left off the album.

8. Little Pieces of Seaweed - Holy *&%#! Where to start... I personally love this track, cuz i'm just really into the weird and quirky, but it's understandable if you aren't able to fully understand this; it IS quite a bit to take in at once. Everyone HAS to hear this track at least ONCE. Thats all i'll say.

9. San Sebastian - Elevator music-y instrumental that again, showcases his Zappa-like compositional talents.

10. Beast of Love - vocal track. Rather mundane I think. it doesn't really go anywhere.

11. You Didn't Break It - cheesy pop song ( like the "Boy/Girl Song" on Flex-Able). You won't be blown away by anything, but it IS a pretty catchy tune.

12. The X-Equilibrium Dance - Instrumental that sorta goes all over the place. Doesn't really have what one would call a melody. Still kind of an interesting track, though.

13. Chronic Insomnia - Not a track your going to listen to more than once, it's just a recording of Steve doing a bunch crazy whammy bar dives that was put into reverse. Kinda cool to see what sounds it's possible to make on a guitar, but there isn't any kind of MELODY here for you to keep coming back to.

Whew! Now that you have read THAT, i'm sure you'll have a better idea of whether this record is right for YOU or not.
Thanks,
the Duke of Dunbar

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leave your pre-conceived notions at the door, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flex-Able Leftovers (Audio CD)

As the other reviews have indicated, this is not a "guitar god" album. I have to say I'm pretty disappointed in the way people seem to take this. I believe an artist should do whatever he wants to do, not just try and do the same thing over and over. Fans seem to think Vai has an obligation to only do music that fits into their preconceived ideas of what they think it ought to be. I disagree. I think artists in any field do indeed have an obligation to their fans: to stay true to THEMSELVES. An artist has to please him or her self first of all, and not worry about what other people will think. Once you start worrying about pleasing other people, that's how you ruin art. As long as an artist remains true to his own vision of what a particular piece ought to be, and sees it through to completion, he is doing his job as an artist and fulfilling his end of the bargain. I find that no matter what Vai does, his genius shines through in his music. People who only appreciate Vai because he can play the guitar so well will of course disagree, but I think of him as a creative artist first, and a guitarist second. The guitar is merely one medium through which his creative ideas are expressed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ok. I'm sick of this, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flex-Able Leftovers (Audio CD)

I'm honestly sick of people putting down the creativity of something they don't understand. first of all. Music is about just that. creativity. At least thats what being a musician is. Mr. Vai has put together one of the best albums ever. Might not be what everyone expects. but it does have something no one has ever done before. Granted it has Zappa influences. but its still good music. We are all lucky to have this out here. Something to learn from. Something to cherish. Its about music. not aout what we as people expect. Mr. Vai. good job. I love this album just as i do all the others. Ingenious work.