Boomer Bends vs Math Rock! Polyphia & Steve Vai: Ego Death | REACTION by an old musician

Tim Henson is a compositional artist. He puts a load of influences on his pallet and then starts painting, mixing, swirling, writing... and then learn how to play the ridiculously complex painting.

Dude, this new album is insanely good, even for Polyphia. It is so different from everything else they've done, yet it almost feels like a callback to their roots. The album is like a mix of their personal musical tastes put together with their evolution as musicians, a band, and bestfriends irl. These guys are awesome people all around. I highly recommend their personal interview with Steve Vai. It's like watching a dad and his four sons hangout on the porch for an hour just chatting it up.

One thing you didn't mention is that Vai is using a technique called 'joint shifting' that Vai invented. It's when you bend 2 strings at the same time usually in different directions. Crazy. Amazing at 62, Vai is still innovating 🔥

Interesting info about Clay the drummer. Clay hadn't been drumming for a long time. There was like a 5 year gap I think if I can remember correctly between him playing drums from high school band days until after college. Clay graduated from college and worked a corporate job that he hated for 2 years then decided to quit and be a full time musician as a drummer. He struck lucky by taking up a gig as a replacement for another drummer on a small tour where it led him to being picked up by Polyphia. From there he learned new techniques when he started playing with Polyphia and became a virtuoso in drums himself. Its pretty crazy story TBH.

7:10 scott did a couple bends in the distorted melody part earlier on, but Steve is making use of his signature Whammy bar style instead of bending the notes. He is essentially reverse pre bending by holding down the whammy, hitting a note, and then bending up to the original pitch by releasing the whammy. He is doing 200 IQ anti bends, crazy stuff.

the trumpet at the end is just chef's kiss

I fall in love more and more with this masterpiece every time I listen to it. Heard it over a 100 times so far and still I find/hear new things. I'm sure you will be mindblown for at least another dozen listens. The music video is also incredibly well done, they all have a sit in the chair, one by one, they start at the bottom of the building and end at the top, and in the end, above them all, sits the trumpet playing the bare naked melody. It took me probably 50 rewinds to fully understand and appreciate Steve's joint shifting intro, it is INSANE. I have a feeling this is going down in the history books of guitar/rock. They are bringing virtuosity to the mainstream and I can't wait so see where it takes us! Subscribed!

You got it right - "passing of the torch". and also I appreciate both Vai and polyphyia for doing this and to prove that the term Boomer bends is not knock on the older style of playing. Just shows in this video that new and old can coincide and at the end of the day music should not be exclusive but to be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or race

Im glad you mentioned Scott. In any other band he would be a guitar God. In Polyphia, he's "that other guy."

Well said my friend ! Whether we like it or not the "Boomers" that we are must swallow "the pill" POLYPHIA. The new Apollos have invited an ever-powerful Zeus and handed over the throne to him to then all together blow a new wind that motivates the guitarists of the future. In the olympe of guitars they settled Vai in the center surrounded by Tim & Scott. These young people deserve the respect of all their peers (and from what I see the older ones are welcome). ps; the 2 Clays do a phenomenal job that deserves so much consideration.

They were bending in their first little 80s sound alike solo. I think both were doing it intentionally haha. They do their whole "see we can imitate 80s solo sounds with boomer bends" and then Vai is like "oh yea? you heard bending like this before?"

This reminds me of many jazz takes where they travel far from the melody, but always return for resolution. Perhaps this is too complex for the pop crowd, but I think music lovers of all genres will see the virtuosity, uniqueness, and passion in these songs.

9:15 I never noticed it before but Tim is just goin off headbanging hard af in the background xD love that dude

That signature bending and whammy bar play from Steve Vai that makes his guitar sings, always fascinating! Never get tired of that.

This song is all about the contrast. Polyphia's technical prowess is so complimented by Steve Vai's style, it's not even funny. And the trumpet outro is so smooth. This song is amazing on a whole new level. Polypha makes music for musicians.

The intro-lead repeated through-out and ending with the trumpet, is phenomenal! As a guitarist and composer myself, I really enjoy the complexity and layers, and the song grows for every time I listen, although I liked from the first time.

Ive seen Vai several times through life. Solo tour and with Whitesnake. I've known Polyphia for a few years but never listened to. Then I saw this video and had to see it. I knew Vai was top 5 of all time. Before I watched this, I watched a few Polyphia vids before I watched this. This vid is one of my favorite collabs of all time. Simply amazing. The mesh with Vai was insanity. The subtle bends while the band continued their usual was amazing. Another vid when they guested a Vai concert in the background was incredible as well. A new generation of guitarists are rising. Yeah, not for everyone. I agree. But I'm over the fence for this band. Apparently Steve Vai is.

Yeah your passion for music shines in this reaction. You feel it and it comes through in your expression. Actually this is by far the best ego death reaction on YT, and I've watched them all.

Love this tune.. can't get enough of Polyphia.. and Tim Henson's playing in particular. The cool thing about these guys is they're playing things that are technically off the chart, but they're also very listenable, quality tunes. That's Tim's real gift.... his composing and production skills. Steve Vai's part is good, but I've got to be honest... I've never been a big fan of him. It's not that he can't play and do amazing things, but I just haven't found his music to have that listenable , melodic side like the Polyphia songs do. As far as him being the best in the world, ever.... really have to disagree with that. There's many that I'd put on the same level as Steve... Eddie, Jimi, Santana, etc. ... but there's one name that hands down was the GOAT in my opinion: SRV. None of these other guys plays with the emotion he did, nor do they generally use the heavy gauge .013's that Stevie did. Those strings gave such more depth and tone to his playing. Already have one of Tim's signature nylon guitars on order... couldn't pass it up at $699.

Wow! I have heard you review these guys before, and every time they amaze me. It’s generational I suppose. What I mean is, being a generation older than you Ed, I was into Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and all the classic rock bands in the late 60’s and early 70’s, but I can remember the first time I was introduced to Steve Vai’s music, and it was just like the feeling I get now when I hear these guys. He completely blew my mind. He wasn’t mainstream either, and rarely got any airtime, but he was a magician on the guitar. Thanks buddy for always reviewing a great variety of music. Thanks to you I have found a couple of really excellent musicians that I never would have found on my own. 🤘🤘🤘🤘