Yeah, I can agree... but my perspective on Vai basically completely neglects the fact that he is a great guitarist... I put him more in the category of "composer" than I do recording artist... or guitar player...

When Nicolo Paganini first composed his 24 caprices they were strictly meant to be a compilation of his technical skills... not masterpieces of classical music.... Many people thought his work wasn't as "beautiful" as stuff of that time period... but in reality they're some of hte greatest pieces of solo music ever written... Not based on their acceptance at the time period that Paganini composed them..... He was more of a freak show than a well known musician at the time... I think the same of Vai.... In 50 years when people are recreating music like his peopel will view them as the 24 caprices of our time period....