The Story of Light

Master guitarist Steve Vai continues to evolve as a player and as a conceptual artist. The Story of Light is the second part of a planned trilogy that began with 2005's Real Illusions. For part two, he's formed some unlikely alliances to further the spectrum of his work. Beverly McClellan, who appeared on the television program The Voice, adds vocals to two tracks, including Blind Willie Johnson's "John the Revelator" that goes as far as to sample Johnson's original recording. Aimee Mann wrote the lyrics and duets with Vai on "No More Amsterdam," a tune that's half introspective-folk, half-astral phrasings. Vai's fluid and electronically enhanced guitar leads continue to amaze his guitarist brethren. He floats from the Bill Frisell-like dreamscape of "Creamsicle Sunset" to the charging 80s-metal flood of "Gravity Storm" as if both were the same language. The acoustic "Mullach a'tSi" slings forth a loose and rubbery melody that suggests unfinished business and a nagging sense of loss. Vai can turn the amps up for catharsis, but he's forever finding new configurations to unlock his heart.