Listening to Polyphia: Ego Death (featuring Steve Vai)

[@jleighwolfe]

The melody is front and center in the whole song and imo very catchy.

[@mpkelley20]

I’m old so most younger people think I can’t appreciate this. I love it. I look at bands like this that are pushing the boundaries of live playing with technology to get the sounds they want. Listening to them talk about how they compose, their is real passion there and can’t be overlooked. It all starts with chords to make a basic melody then they add the more complex notes over it. But it’s there. You’ll hear it after several listens. I think a lot of people that struggle with this type of music are probably similar to what people were like when rock started out. Or the synthesizers of the 80’s or the grunge of the 90’s and so on. Music needs to evolve. And polyphia is one of the bands making it happen. And bringing top 10 pop music fans back into real music playing.

[@JimNewstead]

I don’t disagree that music has to evolve, to grow, to change. And there’s nothing wrong with this music, but for me, it lacks heart and soul. Good background music, but nothing to connect to.

[@theextreem]

I love Polyphia and this song and I totally get your and many other’s critiques about the music sounding robotic or tough to listen but I couldn’t disagree more. This is definitely a generational gap since I grew up on music that was digitally made instead of analog but when I hear the emotion it comes from the arrangement not the performance. I think the way that their parts are all so detailed but still manage to fit and compliment each other perfectly represents them as 4 virtuosos who work together in a polyphony. After hearing enough of their music you can really tell their personal flairs and who wrote what section and that’s where the humanity come for me but I totally get preferring the playing to convey the personality.

[@Bellathor]

There is "feel" in performance but really it is just hooking onto stuff in their music. If not the melody then the groove... Saying they just play fast for no reason is kinda bullshit. But as with a lot of music, some stuff takes a while to click etc.

[@buckfuttler2877]

Every song that it sounds like it should be the title track to a Beverly hills 90210 modern show. prog for 15 year old girls. Supremely talented musicians though I'll give them that.

[@pacalvotan777]

Nice one, thank you ❣️.. and yes more Steve Vai please 🤗❤️🔥🎸🎶✨

[@spencermcCH]

Also check the new 3 song EP from Primus. Those 3 songs have videos too😜🎧🤘✌️

[@IllumeEltanin]

This is the second tune I've heard from Polyphia. The first was Dr. Doug's reaction to the other viral video from them. A tiny heavy for my taste, and I'm not a fan of technical, virtuostically focused playing, but I find I did enjoy both tunes from them. I would say if I heard them being played somewhere, I would stop and appreciate it, but I don't think I would seek them out.

[@sonsai10]

Very good video. I guess it is correct to say they are playing as many notes as possible, in fact that is the theme of the ego death thing. If you want more emocional stuff, I recomend Neurotica

[@qmiller9]

No judgment, but I'm amazed one can react to For the Love of God by Steve Vai and then stop for 4 years The success of this track makes me think that Steve will even more be known as a guitar legend by the modern music community. What a legacy?!

[@JimNewstead]

Have you not seen the volume of other content on the channel? Vai is but a drop in the ocean of incredible music I’ve listened to!

[@qmiller9]

@@JimNewstead oh, I know! I love your channel! Just speaking to the venue of that song. What a masterpiece?! Thanks again for the incredible reactions! I'm looking forward to more. Cheers, Jim!

[@Bellathor]

Check out Polyphia - Euphoria, an older song with a killer melody, waaaaay more chill than this song. I do love this one though.

[@buckfuttler2877]

The 4 minute cologne/perfume ad one? 😂

[@Bellathor]

@@buckfuttler2877 haha yeah with the hot chick, and before neck tattoos lol

[@Bellathor]

@@buckfuttler2877 or as that top comment says "h&m fashion show supported by Ibanez" haha

[@jimthethirdprobably]

you should react to primus, i recommend "jerry was a racecar driver" or "is it luck?"

[@Phibbus]

Four-chord noodling is alive and well.

[@narax2811]

Great video ! cant wait to see you react to Tim Henson's (neck tattoo guitarist) youtube channel, he post some unplugged version and sometime explain how he wrote all of their most popular songs

[@pl5914]

When you say "seriously?" at the end... Hahaha

[@Easy_Skanking]

When I hear Polyphia, I hear guys that grew up on video games. I hear a lot of Nintendo 8-bit melodies in their playing. If you are going to get some more Vai on the channel, I have suggestions since he's one of the biggest influences on my playing. For albums, go for "Passion and Warfare", his Magnum Opus, or "Sex and Religion", which is his band with Devin on vocals and guitar. If you want just tracks, check out "Tender Surrender" from the EP "Alien Love Secrets". The video for that one is first choice. For a different flavor of his, try "Big Trouble" from his time with David Lee Roth.

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks Easy! I’ve got Sex And Religion.

[@Easy_Skanking]

@@JimNewstead That would be an excellent listen if you haven't already heard it. The band has T.M. Stevens on bass and Terry Bozzio on drums.

[@gabiesiren]

this music is very technical, creative and it takes a lot of practice to accomplish this performance . I've listened to other songs from Polyphia, it's the kind of music I would listen to while cleaning or doing chores around the house, but not everyday. I still prefer Yes and Jon Anderson

[@JimNewstead]

I get that!

[@buckfuttler2877]

But....why??? 🤔😂

[@JimNewstead]

The music? The collaboration? Me? Life? The universe? Everything?

[@buckfuttler2877]

@@JimNewstead the band you unfortunately listened to😂 jk they are talented as hell just sound like music for 13 year old emo girls 😉

[@realbser1956]

Just sounds like they’re going through the motions, despite the obvious talent of everyone involved. 😊

[@palantir135]

I know Steve Vai very well. Bought a few albums by him. But I never heard of Polyphia. This is great guitar playing, love it. It’s very sterile music though. A bit like Boston; also very precise played music. You probably heard of the man who teached Steve Vai on guitar: Joe Satriani.

[@sea6bear]

I agree Jim, I won’t be humming this tune… To be technically impressive and place that within a musically creative melody is the real challenge. Not many can pull that off. Less is more and is tougher to execute!

[@justsomeguy727]

Tell me this is the only Polyphia song you've listened to without actually just telling me

[@AndoCan123]

Wow I didn’t know Bill Burr liked Polyphia

[@JimNewstead]

Hahahaha! I’ve never heard that one before….

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

To be technically impressive can only be truly appealing when it is combined with a melodic sensibility that touches you. For that may I kindly suggest guitarist Steve Morse's solo album "High Tension Wires". You'll find a brilliant merger of technique and melody in a very satisfying way. I trust you will enjoy it! Peace and love to all!

[@JimNewstead]

You can! Thank you.

[@tallgrayandgruesome]

@@JimNewstead 2nd album Jim...Flying In A Blue Dream...that's the one that hooked me. There's a lot of excellent Joe Satriani music (early JS) on that album.

[@WooBino.]

The only Steve Vai I know well is him playing on David Lee Roth's ~ Eat Em and Smile.

[@MattKrogmeier]

You should immediately listen to the Vai album "Passion & Warfare."

[@JoshShuman]

Also check out his Real Illusions: Reflections album, really good.

[@tallgrayandgruesome]

At the end...Ivan from Brasstracks.

[@JimNewstead]

Ahhh…. Um. Who?

[@dylanbrown5414]

Technically breathtaking but somewhat sterile and soulless. All Polyphia tracks tend to sound the same. Certainly, a higher class of lift music.

[@JimNewstead]

Lol 😂

[@shashwatchamoli7221]

All polyphia tracks tend to sound the same????

[@Alix777.]

Lots of notes. But I didn't enjoy it. I find the rythm/slap bass thing very annoying 😕

[@douglasennis7291]

Exactly 👍🏻🤷🏻

[@MaraxisArcanist]

You've voiced my opinion precisely. I always find them very technically impressive, but not particularly enjoyable to listen to. Almost like a music AI run amok.

[@JimNewstead]

Haha! Yup!

[@JimNewstead]

Haha! Yup!

[@joeloedeman5160]

This is definitely not my favorite track by them. Playing God is better. G.O.A.T probably, too. I don't really know any others. (Like a lot of people.) I know Tim coined the phrase "Bend it like a Boomer" when talking with Rick Beato. They use note bending in places on this track.

[@justsomeguy727]

They've never been shy of note bending. A ton of their discography uses it. Scott especially does a lot of bends in his solos. He(Tim) doesn't even mean it as a derogatory thing either when he says it but you know how the internet is lol everything is a personal attack

[@joeloedeman5160]

@@justsomeguy727 I know, he said it was kind of a joke.

[@19gazelle]

There’s likely no bigger boomer bender than Steve Vai, or, at least, he’s one of the best. The term wasn’t intended as a joke, just a way to describe what had been done before, with respect intended.

[@kenl2091]

My thoughts exactly, Jim. I remember being told in the 70s that the sort of music I listened to wasn't valid because it lacked 'soul' and humanity. This is one step beyond even that. Impressive but was it enjoyable? I'm not sure.

[@justsomeguy727]

Boomers stuck in their ways when it comes to music and literally being the very same type of people that told them their music wouldn't do well in their time is the funniest piece of irony I've seen in a while.

[@JimNewstead]

Um…. I’m trying really hard!

[@buckfuttler2877]

@@justsomeguy727 there's plenty of boomers I know that like lots of new music. just not this sterile wankery Beverly hills 90210 opening theme style "prog"...

[@philsb9388]

No doubt that they can play, but I get no sense of enjoyment from listening to them.

[@douglasennis7291]

Many many notes in search 🔎 of a purpose🤷🏻 🤦🏻

[@stambo1983]

It's ok if you don't get it.

[@BobKuchiKopi]

You remind me of an old acquaintance who said of Pink Floyd: "It just doesn't go anywhere. What's the point?"

[@justsomeguy727]

I love seeing history literally repeat itself when comments like this are made. People said the EXACT same thing about folks like Jason Becker and Steve Vai back in their day.

[@douglasennis7291]

@@justsomeguy727 so what... I don't like them and not a big Steve Vai fan. Why are you so hung up with that 🤔 Have a nice life 👍🏻🤷🏻

[@douglasennis7291]

@@stambo1983 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Not anything to get... Just don't like em' 🤷🏻