I understand I am in the minority on this topic, but I think "Sex & Religion" is the best band album Steve ever released. Steven's & Bozzio lay down a brutal rhythm section and Devon Townsend...well, it's the best vocal work he's ever done. Then there is Steve's guitar playing, his compositions, his production.

What can I say - Steve Vai at the height of his creative powers!

Steve Vai is an incredible guitar player. That much has been evident for quite awhile. This release shows he can also write lyrics and tell a rather compelling story. I've owned this CD since its release and to this day my jaw still drops open in awe. My favorite cuts have to be "Dirty Black Hole", "Pig", "Survive" and "Down Deep Into The Pain". The spoken part in "Down Deep Into The Pain" are a conversation between a child about to be born, and God. It really makes you think...
Steve's virtuosity on guitar is very well complemented by Devin Townsend's vocals. This is CD rests comfortably in my top 10 CD's of all time.

First of all I'm not a guitarist, but I listen to alot of them. Steve Vai is as good as they come. Some of his stuff will put your jaw on the floor. That said, I like him better in a "group" situation, like David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and Vai. Maybe working with other great musicians brings out his best, kind of like Michael Schenker. Devin Townsend is a phenomenal vocalist and Terry Bozzio is a very good drummer.
This album is a mix of Vai's talents. It has both great and sometimes strange guitar playing - something he has always had. It also has some very good songwriting. Here & Now, In My Dreams With You, Still My Bleeding Heart and Down Deep Into The Pain all have Vai's stellar guitar work along with great lyrics and melody. Devin Townsend's vocals are nothing short of awe inspiring.
If you like Steve Vai, I don't see how you couldn't like this album.

The theme, sex and religion, is pure Steve Vai -- and something I don't think he'll ever tire of exploring or expressing. I would say Vai makes better vocal music when he's a hired gun (e.g David Lee Roth etc) but in recruiting a young Devin Townsend he picked an almost equal to himself. Some may disagree but how anyone can remain more salient over Vai in a recording studio is anybody's guess. Devin Townsend is an extremely insightful and intelligent musician in his own right and when he's not writing his own parts things are bound to suffer. The results therefore are a little mixed. The musicianship overall however, is not - this is absolutely stellar. And here lies my biggest criticism of this album; it's what you hear but rather what you *don't* hear. Looking at the line-up (Terry Bozzio -- drums, TM Stevens -- bass), it's a crying shame this wasn't more of the "band project" Vai lead us to believe. The demon-fingered one pens virtually every song (music and lyrics) and although each band member puts their own distinct stamp on things, the collaborative aspect is ultimately lost. To my knowledge, the UK touring band of the same name only retained the most apparent features of the outfit, namely the singer and guitarist. For guitarists however, there is some great stuff to get your teeth into - "Here and Now", "Still my Bleeding Heart" (the solo has one of Vai's coolest tones recorded) and "Rescue me or Bury Me" are particular standouts. But there's also some nonsense too, so be warned. Bottom line is that this album doesn't leave you wanting more, which is a shame, because on paper, this line-up of musicians promises the Earth.

I like Steve Vai. I love Devin Townsend.

I, however, don't especially like this album. Their are some great parts, and some humourus parts, but overall there is about the same amount of bad as good... which is really not what I look for in music.

If you like great guitarwork and screams taht sound like someone is ripping their throat out with air, then you'll like about half of this album, while the other half is odd little "SHAKAZULU" chants and weird stuff like this.