Flex-Able Leftovers  (Audio CD) 
by Steve Vai

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 6 found the following review helpful:

Warped and Hilarious.  Oct 19, 2001
Ok. I admit that this 'work' is completely silly. And I also admit that I, like others out there, have been listenning to the tape [recorded from vinyl] of 'leftovers' for at least 12 years. I am 30 years old, and there is something about this album that keeps me interested. The mere ABSURDITY of the ideas, music, and words is completely and utterly amusing. I have had tons of fun listenning to this album with friends in the past, and even some recently. People with a sense of humor, similar to the humor in this album, usually find something interesting to repeat, or poke fun at [on this album]. I must admit that my 5 star rating (for this album) is due to about five tracks that I LOVE! There are also many tracks on this album that I don't like at all. But those five, or so, tracks that I DO love -- are worth about 10 stars each, for me.

Message for Vai:
I am still waiting to see some CLASSIC Vai guitar on some form of CD compillation. Here's what I'm talking about:
- 1 or 2 songs from the group WESTERN VACATION, featuring Vai on guitar.
- Parts, or the whole of the group ALCATRAZZ (there is some INCREDIBLE guitar work on this album!)
- Amazing Grace, from the soundtrack "Dudes"
- All of the VAI parts from the movie CROSSROADS.
- Some LIVE highlites from the David Lee Roth period. You know, at least 3 or 4 great performances from Vai when he was touring with Roth.
- That's it.

Live on!
Good stuff!

Respectfully,
-Jeff K.

P.S. If Kenny Stewart is reading this: Peace, bro. You are the best :)

0 of 8 found the following review helpful:

DON'T BUY IT!  May 19, 2000
This album symbolizes what I believe to be a wasted effort to pump some life into an album that wasn't good to begin with. Steve needs to invest some time in coming up with single guitar rock songs, not silly sounding fairy rock that nobody with any kind of taste would listen to. Alien Love Secrets is in my opinion the greatest rock instrumental album of all time. It was a simple three piece band playing with a minimum of guitar overdubs. This represents the best of Steve's talents in my opinion. As far as Flex-Able Leftovers is concerned, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! Go out and buy a twelve pack instead.