Modern Primitive (album)

Modern Primitive is the ninth studio album by American guitarist Steve Vai, released on Epic Records on June 24, 2016. According to his website, the material on the album was "based on song sketches and works-in-progress penned and recorded by Vai following the release of Flex-Able, his debut album, in January 1984." He sees this material as a link between the stylistically different Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare (1990). The name of the album refers to his "modern" finishing of some of his oldest, most "primitive" works (when he was then in his mid-20s).[3]

Modern Primitive
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 24, 2016 (2016-06-24)
StudioStucco Blue Studios
Length70:14
LabelEpic
ProducerSteve Vai
Steve Vai chronology
The Story of Light
(2012)
Modern Primitive
(2016)
Inviolate
(2022)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Classic Rock[1]
PopMatters7/10[2]

Track listing

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All music is composed by Steve Vai, except where noted

Modern Primitive track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Bop!"5:37
2."Dark Matter"3:53
3."Mighty Messengers"3:57
4."The Lost Chord" (Vai, Devin Townsend)4:10
5."Upanishads"4:37
6."Fast Note People" (Martin Schwartz, Bob Harris, Vai)5:53
7."And We Are One"5:22
8."Never Forever"5:16
9."Lights Are On"6:26
10."No Pockets"4:54
Pink and Blows Over
No.TitleLength
11."Part I"3:22
12."Part II (Mars Attack)" (Vai, Thomas Mariano)13:16
13."Part III"3:31

Personnel

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  • Steve Vai – guitars
  • Mohini Dey – bass (1)
  • Jeremy Colson – drums (2, 7)
  • Alvin Chea – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
  • Antonio Sol – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
  • Fletcher Sheridan – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
  • Mandy Vajar – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
  • Nayanna Holley – backing vocals (3, 6–8, 10–13)
  • Stu Hamm – bass (3–6, 9–13)
  • Chris Frazier – drums (3–6, 9–13)
  • Devin Townsend – vocals (4)
  • Philip Bynoe – bass (7–8)
  • Mike Mangini – drums (8)
  • Mike Keneally – keyboards (8)
  • Dave Weiner – sitar (8)
  • Tommy Mars – keyboards* (11–13)
  • Jazz James – vocals (11–13)
  • Greg Wurth – "performer" (5)
  • Marpran Cassiopeia Vai – "performer" (11–13)

Charts

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Chart performance for Modern Primitive
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[4] 196
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[5] 143
French Albums (SNEP)[6] 151
Italian Albums (FIMI)[7] 61
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[8] 41
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 77
UK Albums (OCC)[10] 118
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[11] 11
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[12] 35

References

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  1. ^ Flys, Pheobe. "Steve Vai - Modern Primitive album review". Classic Rock. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  2. ^ Ezell, Brice (June 23, 2016). "Steve Vai: Passion and Warfare (25th Anniversary Edition) / Modern Primitive". PopMatters. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  3. ^ "Modern Primitive". vai.com. June 24, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  4. ^ "Ultratop.be – Steve Vai – Modern Primitive" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Steve Vai – Modern Primitive" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Lescharts.com – Steve Vai – Modern Primitive". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Steve Vai – Modern Primitive". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  8. ^ "スティーヴ・ヴァイのアルバム売上ランキング 2ページ目". Oricon. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  9. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Steve Vai – Modern Primitive". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 2 July 2016 (wk26)". zobbel.de. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Steve Vai Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Steve Vai Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2022.