Vai is waaaay too distinctive. Everything he plays on ends up sounding like a Steve Vai song. The outro on "Triumph" from 'Synchestra' totally ruins the song for me, because it stopped being a Devin song and became a Vai song.

I still love Triumph as a song, but you are so right about this. His solos are distinctly his and don't necessarily fit very well into another's work. Although I'm grateful of him being a major piece in Devin's career advancement and I recognize him as an extraordinary talent... I just don't really like his playing or songwriting.

I had picked up Sex and Religion as a kid at a flea market and listened to it a couple times before it hit the cd rack never to be heard from again (except Still my Beating Heart, that song rules). When I was first introduced to City, I saw it had Devin and my reaction was one of great skepticism due to his Vai association. Eventually I got over it and was subsequently blown away!

Anyway, I'd like to see them come out live all playing bass al la Spinal Tap.

I actually like Steve Vai, but his style takes away from everyone else he plays with. I enjoy him as a solo artist.

I actually like Steve Vai, but his style takes away from everyone else he plays with. I enjoy him as a solo artist.

SO true. I watched a video of him with Zappa Plays Zappa, and there's just something about his presence which takes the focus away from the Zappa vibe.

Didn’t Vai play with Zappa once?

[djskrimp]

Didn’t Vai play with Zappa once?

Perhaps. Hell, he might have even transcribed some Zappa songs, too. That wild and crazy Italian!

Interesting conversation here. Yes, Vai did play with Zappa. No, wouldn't want Vai on Epicloud...he and Devin seem to have severely distinct styles. I agree with Paul. I wish Devin would post some little vid on YouTube, something new from what he is writing now...remember when he used to do this? I still watch that old Stand vid all the time.

I wish Devin would post some little vid on YouTube, something new from what he is writing now...remember when he used to do this? I still watch that old Stand vid all the time.

Ah, yes... good times, good times.
Since Ghost+Deconstruction haven't been released yet, I feel it's to early of me to ask... but damn, I wouldn't mind. I am painfully curious about Epicloud.

Vai is waaaay too distinctive. Everything he plays on ends up sounding like a Steve Vai song. The outro on "Triumph" from 'Synchestra' totally ruins the song for me, because it stopped being a Devin song and became a Vai song.

I think it is interesting that Dev said he was learning to play Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes on the bass. Skynyrd has some great bass grooves.

BLASPHEMER!! I love that outro

Vai is waaaay too distinctive. Everything he plays on ends up sounding like a Steve Vai song. The outro on "Triumph" from 'Synchestra' totally ruins the song for me, because it stopped being a Devin song and became a Vai song.

I think it is interesting that Dev said he was learning to play Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes on the bass. Skynyrd has some great bass grooves.

BLASPHEMER!! I love that outro

Me too! I've only heard 1 song from Sex & Religion, and that's all I've heard of Steve's discography. Triumph is a (fantastic) Devin Townsend song to me, and it's on my all-time favorite Devin Townsend album. Can't go wrong there!

Triumph is one of my all-time favourite Dev tunes. Except for that outro. I skip it. Vai just sounds extremely out of place. I'd rather it had been Dev noodling around there, instead.

Triumph is one of my favorites (if not THE favorite) too. If I listen to the song alone, I skip the Vai-ending, but I need it as a transition to Babysong.

If I listen to the song alone, I skip the Vai-ending, but I need it as a transition to Babysong.

This. It doesn't work otherwise.

Triumph is a (fantastic) Devin Townsend song to me, and it's on my all-time favorite Devin Townsend album. Can't go wrong there!

Same here, I think the outro fits perfectly.

I hope it's more positive and energetic than mellow.

Don't get me wrong, I like Devs more dreary mellow stuff like deadhead, but there's no comparison to some of his more positive and energetic sounding songs that really lift the roof.

If I listen to the song alone, I skip the Vai-ending, but I need it as a transition to Babysong.

This. It doesn't work otherwise.

Treason!

The Vai ending is one of the best bits of the song, if you guys don't understand that then...well.. you're dumb! It's amazing. Vais alien phrasing is great and fits the song very well imo. I hope Dev works with Vai in future...... imagine Vai on a Ziltoid album