Real Illusions: Reflections

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Real Illusions: Reflections
Vai ReaIIlusionsReflections.jpg
Studio album by
Steve Vai
ReleasedFebruary 22, 2005 (2005-02-22)
StudioThe Mothership Studio in Hollywood Hills; The Harmony Hut in Encino, Los Angeles; De Oosterpoort in Groningen; Paradiso in Amsterdam
Genre Instrumental rock, progressive metal, heavy metal, hard rock
Length55:10
Label Epic
Producer Steve Vai
Steve Vai chronology
The Ultra Zone
(1999)		Real Illusions: Reflections
(2005)		 The Story of Light
(2012)

Real Illusions: Reflections is the seventh studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, released on February 22, 2005, through Epic Records. [1] The album reached No. 147 on the U.S. Billboard 200, [2] as well as No. 88 on the Dutch albums chart and No. 110 on the French albums chart. [3]

Contents

Described by Vai as "rock fable", [1] Real Illusions: Reflections is the first part of a three-part concept album about a town visited by the godsent Pamposh and his construction of the Church. [4] "Lotus Feet", purposely designated as track seven (see The Seventh Song ) and recorded live during three separate concerts in the Netherlands during Vai's 2004 "Aching Hunger Tour", was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 2006 Grammy Awards. [5] Vai cites Bulgarian wedding music as having inspired "Freak Show Excess". [6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Sean Westergaard at AllMusic gave Real Illusions: Reflections four stars out of five, listing "K'm-Pee-Du-Wee", "Firewall", "Yai Yai", "Freak Show Excess" and "Lotus Feet" as highlights. He also remarked favorably about Vai's singing: "As a vocalist, he's gotten way more confident, and while it's doubtful his singing will ever be the primary attraction, he does a fine job here." [1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Steve Vai.

No.TitleLength
1."Building the Church"4:58
2."Dying for Your Love"4:50
3."Glorious"4:35
4."K'm-Pee-Du-Wee"4:00
5."Firewall"4:19
6."Freak Show Excess"6:51
7."Lotus Feet" (live)6:45
8."Yai Yai"2:37
9."Midway Creatures"3:42
10."I'm Your Secrets"4:26
11."Under it All"8:07
Total length:55:10

Personnel

Chart performance

YearChartPosition
2005 Billboard Independent Albums 15 [2]
Dutch albums chart 88 [3]
French albums chart 110 [3]
Billboard 200 147 [2]
Billboard Top Internet Albums 147 [2]
Greek Albums25 [7]

Awards

EventTitleAwardResult
2006 Grammys "Lotus Feet" Best Rock Instrumental Performance Nominated [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Westergaard, Sean. "Real Illusions: Reflections - Steve Vai". AllMusic . Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Real Illusions: Reflections - Steve Vai | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  3. 1 2 3 "Steve Vai - Real Illusions: Reflections (album)". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  4. ↑ Vai, Steve (2005). "Inside Real Illusions: Reflections". vai.com. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  5. 1 2 "48th Grammy Awards - 2006". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  6. ↑ rkkrah (2008-03-03). "Steve Vai demonstration - Freak Show Excess". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-12-12. [ dead link ]
  7. ↑ Ελληνικό Chart
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