Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

Vai's eclectic style and virtuosic guitar work create a distinctive sound, though the cohesion is uneven.

What we noticed

• — Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Massacre,' which shifts from fast-paced riffs to slower, more melodic sections.
• — The album includes instrumental interludes that showcase Vai's technical prowess, like the intricate fingerpicking in 'Little Pieces of Seaweed.'

How the number is built

Composition 25% of the score

7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score

8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score

6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score

8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score

5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.